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Current Conformity Determination for
This Conformity Determination was necessitated by amendments to the FFY2008-2012 TIP and the adoption of the 2010-2035 Regional Transportation Plan.
Multi-State Conformity Determination for NY-CT-NJ-PM2.5 Fine Particle matter, also known as PM2.5, is a mixture of microscopic solids and liquid droplet suspended in the air, where the size of the particles are less than 2.5 micrometers, or about one-thirtieth the diameter of a human hair. PM2.5 can be emitted directly into the air, from smoke from fires or as a component of automobile exhaust. It can also be formed in the air itself, from industrial and mobile source emission of gases, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. In 2005, 22 counties of New York, northern New Jersey and Connecticut were declared a PM2.5 Non-Attainment Area, requiring each of the 10 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) having jurisdiction in this region to coordinate their plans and emission reduction programs to meet federal clean air guidelines.
The current NY-NJ-CT PM2.5 Non-Attainment area conformity determination was adopted by the NYMTC Council and was approved. NYMTC’s Conformity Determination for all other pollutants
NYMTC’s current Conformity Determination adopted August 2008, demonstrates regional progress in meeting targeted reductions of mobile sources of air pollution and is a required accompaniment to the Regional Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program. The determination focuses on three important sources of air pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. Smog or ground-level ozone is formed when vehicles emit nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) in the presence of sunlight. Since the chemical reactions that create ground-level ozone work best during warm weather this problem is most pronounced during the summer and the analysis is performed during peak season to measure the worst case scenario.
Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of carbon in fuels, including gasoline. High concentrations of carbon monoxide occur along roadsides in heavy traffic, particularly at major intersections and in enclosed spaces, such as garages. Peak concentrations of carbon monoxide typically occur during the winter months and the analysis is performed during this peak to measure the worst case scenario. Soot, technically known as particulate matter or “PM” is typically generated by diesel engines or by unregulated combustion. The Conformity Determination shows how NYMTC is meeting targeted reduction of the precursors of ozone, NOX and VOC’s, with the goal of coming into conformity with the motor vehicle emissions budgets defined in the New York State Implementation Plan for air quality. It also indicates that regional concentrations of carbon monoxide are below required maintenance levels.
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Transportation conformity is the process established by USDOT and USEPA to ensure that transportation investments will contribute to improving air quality in areas where pollutants exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The information contained herein demonstrates how NYMTC addresses the current transportation conformity rule. 
