The transport sector significantly impacts air quality at the local, urban, and global scales. In many cities throughout the world, transportation sources can contribute over half of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions in addition to hundreds of other toxic compounds that negatively impact human health and the environment. Numerous studies indicate that people who live, work, or go to school near large transportation facilities (i.e. highways, airports, rail-yards) face increased health risks including asthma, cardiovascular disease, cancer and premature mortality. Emissions from the transportation sector can be especially important since the vast majority of people in the world are exposed to these emissions on a daily basis. 

Dr. Baldauf will discuss the emissions characterization techniques implemented in the US, many of which have also been adopted by other countries. He will outline multiple air pollution control strategies, including recent research on the use of built and green infrastructure to mitigate local air pollution impacts from transportation facilities. In addition, he will highlight available resources developed by the U.S. EPA that have been used to assist government agencies, environmental and health organizations, urban planners, and developers identify best practices to mitigate local air pollution impacts within communities.

Speakers: Richard Baldauf, PhD, P.E., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Dr. Baldauf is a Senior Research Engineer at the U.S. EPA Office of Research & Development and the Office of Transportation & Air Quality where he leads international, cross-disciplinary research teams focusing on air quality measurements, air dispersion modeling, and sustainable transportation and urban development issues. He has over 20 years of experience conducting research on transportation and industrial source emissions, air quality impacts, and adverse health and environmental effects. Dr. Baldauf’s research has contributed to the development of national emissions standards and best practices to mitigate air pollution impacts at the local, regional, and global scale. Additionally, he has also championed urban development initiatives including the use of built and green infrastructure as a means to reduce air pollution at schools and within communities. Dr. Baldauf maintains Adjunct Professor appointments in the School of Engineering at North Carolina State University and Texas A&M University and published over 100 peer-review journal articles and several book chapters on these topic.