The following is a summary of the findings from the recent "Air Quality Conformity Analysis Report for Lancaster County Ozone Nonattainment Area," prepared by Lancaster County Planning Commission and PennDOT.

As required by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA), a study of vehicle emissions was performed for the Lancaster Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) area. The study compared the base 1990 emissions for volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to future emission projections (less than 1990 test), and compared emissions from implementation of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to emissions from no changes to the transportation system (build/no-build test).

For Lancaster County, 39 projects on the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2001 TIP and LRTP will have an impact on air quality. The regional evaluation of the LRTP/TIP indicates a lower level of VOC and NOx emissions in future years compared to the base year, 1990, and lower emissions by implementing the 2001 TIP and LRTP compared to no changes to the transportation system.

To further address VOC and NOx reductions in the later years of the LRTP, strategies such as reduction in vehicle miles traveled, speed changes, smoothness of traffic flows, use of alternative fuels, and other factors will be key to producing a conforming LRTP/TIP and reducing air pollution levels. Some of these have been mandated by the CAAA, and the state has committed to executing others.