EPA Releases MOVES2010b Mobile
Source Emissions Model Update:
Questions and Answers
What is MOVES, and why is EPA releasing MOVES2010b?
MOtor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) is U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA's) state-of'the-art tool for estimating emissions from highway vehicles.
The model is based on analyses of millions of emission test results and considerable
advances in the Agency's understanding of vehicle emissions. Compared to previous
tools, MOVES incorporates the latest emissions data, more sophisticated calcula-
tion algorithms, increased user flexibility, new software design, and significant new
capabilities. EPA announced the release of MOVES2010 in March 2010 (75 Federal
Register 9411), and released a minor revision as MOVESZOlOa in September 2010,
EPA is now releasing MOVES2010b to allow MOVES users to benefit from several
improvements to general model performance. MOVES2010b does not significantly
affect the criteria pollutant emissions results of MOVES2010 and therefore is not a
new model.
What has changed from MOVES2010a to MOVES2010b?
EPA has developed several performance enhancements to assist as state and local
agencies generate MOVES emissions inventories. For example, MOVES2010b works
better in networks and has improved capabilities that make it faster in certain
circumstances. Several improvements have been made to data input managers to
make MOVES2010b easier to use with more functionality. MOVES2010b also takes
advantage of newer versions of Java (version 1.7.0) and MySQL (version 5.5.12),
MOVES2010b also includes a number of other improvements. These are listed in
Appendix A. The net impact of these changes on emissions is very small in runs at
the both County and Project scale. More detailed pollutant output for air quality
modeling is also available.
SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
EPA-420-F-12-014
April 2012
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What needs to be done to switch to MOVES2010b?
Instructions for downloading and installing MOVESZOlOb are available on the MOVES web
page www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/. Users will find that Run Specifications (RunSpecs) and
input databases developed with MOVES2010 or MOVESZOlOa need to be changed to run with
MOVESZOlOb. EPA has created tools that easily convert old RunSpecs
and databases to the MOVESZOlOb format.
Users should always specify what version of MOVES was used to create emissions results for
state implementation plans (SIPs), conformity and other purposes.
When should MOVES2010b be used for state implementation plans and transportation
conformity analyses?
MOVES is EPA's latest motor vehicle emissions model for state and local agencies to estimate
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PMZ.5 and
PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), and other precursors from cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles
an<^ transportation conformity determinations outside California,
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Because MOVESZOlOb does not significantly affect criteria pollutant emissions results from
MOVESZ010, we are not considering MOVESZOlOb a new emissions model for SIP and trans-
portation conformity purposes under 40 CFR 93. 1 1 1 , and there will be no new grace period for
regional conformity analyses using MOVESZOlOb. The MOVESZ010 grace period for regional
conformity analyses will apply to the use of MOVESZOlOb as well. EPA has recently extended
the grace period for regional conformity analyses to March Z, Z013 (77 FR 1 1394). For project -
level PM and CO hot-spot analyses, the Z-year conformity grace period for using MOVES ends
December 20, 201Z (75 FR 79370). This MOVESZOlOa grace period for PM or CO hot-spot
analyses for project-level conformity determinations will apply to the use of MOVESZOlOb as
well. EPA encourages state and local agencies to use the latest version of the MOVES model
available at the time that any conformity modeling begins, since the model framework enhance-
ments included will optimize model performance,
In general, EPA believes the states should use the latest version of MOVESZ010 that is available
for SIP development. All states other than California should use MOVESZOlOb for future SIPs
in order to take full advantage of the improvements incorporated in this version. However, state
and local agencies that have already completed significant work on a SIP with MOVESZ010 or
MOVESZOlOa can continue to use it,
To determine when to use MOVESZOlOb in SIP development and transportation conformity
determinations, refer to EPA's updated policy guidance on the use of MOVES for SIP develop-
ment and transportation conformity at:
www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm#models. State and local agencies should
consult their EPA Regional Office to resolve any questions for a particular nonattainment or
maintenance area,
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Can MOVES2010b be used to estimate greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes, MOVES is currently EPA's best tool for estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from
the transportation sector. At this time, MOVESZOlOb is the latest version of MOVES that has
been released, and it accounts for all national fuel economy and GHG standards for cars and
trucks as of September 2010. In addition, EPA has developed MOVES technical guidance that
describes how to use MOVES to estimate GHG emissions and/or energy consumption from
on-road vehicles in a state or metropolitan area.1 State and local agencies estimating GHG
emissions in the transportation planning process should consider using the latest version of
MOVES for GHG emissions analyses in the future. EPA notes that there are no SIP and trans-
portation conformity requirements for GHGs,
Can MOVES2010b be used to estimate mobile source toxic emissions?
MOVESZOlOa estimates emissions for the following mobile source air toxics (MSATs): benzene,
1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, naphthalene, ethanol, and methyl tert-
butyl ether (MTBE). MOVESZOlOb adds the other MSATs shown in Table A-Z that were previ-
ously available in the National Mobile Inventory Model (NMIM) and included in the National
Emission Inventory. Consistent with EPA's approach in transitioning from MOBILE/NMIM to
MOVES, additional emission factor test data were included.2
MOVES is EPA's best available tool for quantifying emissions of these MSATs. State and local
agencies, academic institutions, and other parties who are interested in analyzing MSAT
emissions from transportation projects are encouraged to use MOVES,
EPA notes that there are no SIP and transportation conformity requirements for air toxics.
Regarding the analysis of MSAT emissions in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
process, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has responsibility for implementing NEPA
for federally-funded or approved transportation projects.
What other resources are available for MOVES2010b?
The MOVES web page (www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/index.htm) is the source for
MOVESZOlOb software as well as previous versions of MOVES, technical documentation,
' The latest version of "Using MOVES for Estimating State and Local Inventories of On-Road Greenhouse Gas
Emissions and Energy Consumption" (EPA-420-D-12-001, January 2012) is available on the EPA web site at
www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/ghgtravel.htm.
2 These data are described in the technical documentation for the MOVES model. For example, publicly available
test data from the Coordinating Research Council and the Health Effects Institute's Advanced Collaborative
Emissions Study (ACES) program are included for exhaust from diesel engines and permeation from gasoline
engines for MSATs. For air toxics that have been added, newer data are also used for advanced technology gasoline
vehicles. However, for air toxics in MOVES20 10a,factors for gasoline vehicles are unchanged; thus, only very
minor changes in results are anticipated.
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guidance documents, tools for using MOVES, and information on MOVES training. The
following documents provide additional information on the MOVES2010, MOVES2010a,
and MOVES2010b:
• The MOVES User Guide (available at www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/and in the
MOVES Help menu) provides detailed instructions for using MOVES and has been
updated for MOVES2010b.
• "Policy Guidance on the Use of MOVES2010 (and Subsequent Minor Revisions) for
State Implementation Plan Development, Transportation Conformity, and Other
Purposes: Revision to April 2012 EPA Guidance" (available at
www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm#models) describes how and when
to use MOVES2010b for SIP development, transportation conformity, general confer'
mity, and other purposes,
• "Using MOVES to Prepare Emission Inventories in State Implementation Plans and
Transportation Conformity: Technical Guidance for MOVES2010, MOVES2010a and
MOVES2010b" (available at
www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm#models) provides guidance on
creating a RunSpec and adding local data using the County Data Manager for SIPs and
regional transportation conformity analyses,
• "Transportation Conformity Guidance for Quantitative Hot-spot Analyses in PM2.5 and
PM10 Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas" (available at
www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm) provides guidance on using
MOVES for quantitative PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot analysis for transportation projects,
• "Using MOVES in Project'Level Carbon Monoxide Analysis" (available at
www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm) describes how to use MOVES to
model CO emissions from transportation projects,
• "Using MOVES for Estimating State and Local Inventories of On-Road Greenhouse Gas
Emissions and Energy Consumption - Draft" (available at
www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/420dl2001.pdf) describes how to use MOVES to
estimate GHG emissions and/or energy consumption from on-road vehicles in a state or
metropolitan area.
If you have technical questions about MOVES2010b, please contact the MOVES team at
mobile@epa.gov. If you have SIP policy questions, please contact Rudy Kapichak
(kapichak.rudolph@epa.gov), and for conformity questions, contact Meg Patulski
(patulski.meg@epa.gov).
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Appendix A
Table A-l. Changes from MOVES2010a to MOVES2010b3
Change from MOVES2010a to
MOVES2010b
1) Allows multiple workers on an individu-
al computer. Addition of debugging features
and improvements in error recovery during
network interruptions
2) Additional error checks added to County
Data Manager (CDM) and Project Data
Manager (PDM)
3) Alternative Vehicle and Fuel Technolo-
gies (AVFT) moved from "Strategies" panel
to CDM and PDM
4) Custom domain improvements allow
users to define separate zones, with separate
vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and some
other activity inputs for each zone and
Source Code Classification (SCC) output
available
5) Added functionality to Emission Rates
option:
- Refueling emissions added to RatePerDis-
tance and RatePerVehicle tables and
- Improved calculation of extended idle
emissions in SCC output
6) Added nitrous acid (HONO) and split
naphthalene into gaseous and particulate
fractions
7) Uses newer versions of Java (version
1.7.0) and MySQL (version 5.5.12)
Implication
Potential for performance improvements in some
use cases. Debugging and error recovery features
make network operation more efficient.
Prevents run failures due to conflicts between
RunSpec parameters and user data
Data entry now consistent with other user inputs.
Takes advantage of CDM and PDM error checks.
May require modification to previous Run Specs,
We have created converters that easily convert
those RunSpecs and databases to MOVES2010b
format.
Reduces the number of runs needed and increases
functionality. Multi-county custom domain with
individual counties defined as separate zones
now possible. Emission results can be produced
separately for each zone. SCC output option
now fully functional in custom domain runs.
Allows calculation of refueling emissions and
improved SCC output for extended idle in rates
mode
RunSpec options that are not applicable for
emission rates calculation are now grayed-out in
the graphical user interface (GUI)
Enhanced output for air quality modeling
Installation Suite installs the correct versions
and users may retain or delete previous versions.
Takes advantage of new functions of updated
software
3 For a description of the changes between MOVES2010 andMOVES2010a, please see "EPA Releases MOVES-
2010a Mobile Source Emissions Model Update" Questions and Answers," EPA-420-F-10-050, August 2010.
www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/MOVES2010a/420fl0050.pdf
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Change from MOVES2010a to
MOVES2010b
Implication
8) New fuel fields, T50 and T90, which are
more detailed measures of fuel volatility,
added to default fuel formulation tables
These fields allow for more detailed modeling
of specific fuel effects for users who need this
capability. Most users will not need to change
fuel specifications in MOVES, but existing user
input databases created with previous version
of MOVES will need to be converted. We have
created converters that easily convert those
RunSpecs and databases to MOVESZOlOb
format.
9) Added new counties in Alaska and
Colorado that were created after 2000
Allows MOVES to keep pace with current
county boundaries. No default data are available
for these counties; thus they are not included in
national scale runs.
10) Included all Mobile Source Air Toxic
(MSAT) pollutants previously available
in the National Mobile Inventory Model
(NMIM)
Maintains functionality for National Emission
Inventory (NEI) and air quality modeling previ-
ously available. See Table A-2 for pollutant list.
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Questions and Answers
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Table A-2. Mobile Source Air Toxic Pollutants Added to MOVES2010b
MOVES PollutantID
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
81
82
83
84
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
Pollutant Name
2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
Ethyl Benzene
Hexane
Propionaldehyde
Styrene
Toluene
Xylene
Mercury Elemental Gaseous
Mercury Divalent Gaseous
Mercury Particulate
Arsenic Compounds
Chromium 3+
Chromium en-
Manganese Compounds
Nickel Compounds
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene particle
Fluoranthene particle
Acenaphthene particle
Acenaphthylene particle
Anthracene particle
Benz(a)anthracene particle
Benzo(a)pyrene particle
Benzo(b)fluoranthene particle
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene particle
Benzo(k)fluoranthene particle
Chrysene particle
Fluorene particle
lndeno(l,2,3,c,d)pyrene particle
Phenanthrene particle
Pyrene particle
1,2,3,7,8,9-Hexachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin
Octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
1,2,3,4,6, 7,8-Heptachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin
Octachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,4,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin
1,2,3,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzofuran
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MOVES PollutantID
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
181
182
183
184
185
Pollutant Name
1,2,3,4,7,8,9-Heptachlorodibenzofuran
2,3,4,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,6,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,6,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin
2,3,4,6,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,4,6, 7,8-Heptachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,4,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,7,8,9-Hexachlorodibenzofuran
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene gas
Fluoranthene gas
Acenaphthene gas
Acenaphthylene gas
Anthracene gas
Benz(a)anthracene gas
Benzo(a)pyrene gas
Benzo(b)fluoranthene gas
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene gas
Benzo(k)fluoranthene gas
Chrysene gas
Fluorene gas
lndeno(l,2,3,c,d)pyrene gas
Phenanthrene gas
Pyrene gas
Naphthalene gas
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