Future Transportation and Air Quality - DOT Programs

Transportation plays a large role in our style of life, work, and many of our activities. At the same time, our present transportation technology has been a major contributor to the deterioration of environmental quality, particularly air quality. This paper discusses the efforts of the U. S. Department of Transportation to grapple with the problems of transportation and air quality. Of principal concern to the Department is the requirement for States to prepare plans to meet 1975 air quality standards. DOT has been involved in reviewing these plans, addressing the transportation control aspects, and future efforts which may be undertaken to meet the standards. In addition, the Department has a specific environmental impact mandate in its various legislative authorities which includes air pollution and transportation related environmental quality problems.