Spatio-Temporal Analysis of the Roadside Transportation-Related Air Quality 2024: Time-series Analysis

Californians in the San Joaquin Valley face a disproportionate burden from heavy traffic, with vehicle exhaust emissions being the primary source of air pollution for much of the state. For several decades, emissions from goods movement in the San Joaquin Valley have led to serious health consequences for low-income and minority communities near truck depots, rail yards, and connecting highways. Toxic components of PM2.5 and diesel particulates emitted from mobile sources due to incomplete combustion elevate health risks, including premature death. The previous StarTraq projects provided consolidated, data-driven transportation information to the public. The results have confirmed that roadside PM2.5, black carbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were significantly elevated compared to concentrations at ambient monitoring stations, due to proximity to sources along or near roadways.