EPA Releases MOVES2014a Mobile
Source Emissions Model:
Questions and Answers
What is MOVES, and why is EPA releasing MOVES2014a?
EPA's MOtor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) is a state-of-the-science emission
modeling system that estimates emissions for mobile sources at the national, county,
and project level for criteria pollutants, greenhouse gases, and air toxics. EPA an-
nounced the release of MOVES2014 in October 2014 (79 Federal Register 60343).
EPA is now releasing MOVESZOHa to allow MOVES users to benefit from several
improvements to the model. MOVESZOHa does not significantly change the criteria
pollutant emissions results of MOVES2014 and therefore is not considered a new
model for SIP and transportation conformity purposes,
What has changed from MOVES2014 to MOVES2014a?
MOVESZOHa incorporates significant improvements in calculating nonroad equip-
ment emissions. It adds volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxics to the list of
pollutants that can be directly estimated for nonroad equipment. It updates the gaso-
line fuels used for nonroad equipment to be consistent with those used for onroad
vehicles. It also provides users with more flexibility in how nonroad model output
is organized. The change in default fuels leads to a small increase in nonroad NOx
emissions in some locations.
For onroad emissions, MOVESZOHa adds new options requested by users for the input
of local vehicle miles traveled (VMT), includes minor updates to the default fuel
tables, and corrects an error in MOVESZOH brake wear emissions. The change in
brake wear emissions results in small decreases in PM emissions, while emissions for
other criteria pollutants remain essentially the same as MOVESZOH. MOVESZOHa
also corrects an error in the way hydrocarbon emissions are apportioned into the
inputs needed by air quality models such as CMAQ and CAMx,
A more detailed list of the changes in MOVESZOHa is provided in the appendix.
SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
EPA-420-F-15-046
November 2015
-------
o
How has the speciation of hydrocarbon emissions changed between MOVES2014 and
MOVES2014a and who is affected by this change?
MOVES2014 included an option to map total organic gas (TOG) emissions to the chemical
species needed as inputs to chemical transport air quality models. In developing MOVES2014a,
we learned that these MOVES2014 CB05 and CB6 outputs for calendar years 2013-2030 were
incorrect. The magnitude of the error varies by chemical species, county and year. Modelers
who have used MOVES2014 CB05 and CB6 output for the affected years should contact the
MOVES team for guidance specific to their particular situation. Air quality modelers beginning
new projects that need this output should use MOVES2014a,
What needs to be done to switch to MOVES2014a?
Instructions for downloading and installing MOVES2014a are available on the MOVES web
page at www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/index.htm. EPA is providing a tool within MOVES2014a
to convert input databases created for MOVES2014. However, due to changes in default fuel
and I/M tables in MOVES2014a, users should export the default MOVES2014a fuel and I/M
tables for the county being modeled and make any necessary changes to the default MOVES2014a
information rather than using default MOVES2014 fuels or I/M programs.
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 MOVES2014a be used for SIPs and transportation conformity analyses?
MOVES2014a is EPA's latest motor vehicle emissions model for state and local agencies to
estimate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM25
and PMlfl), carbon monoxide (CO), and other precursors from cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles,
and most categories of nonroad equipment for SIPs and transportation conformity determina-
tions outside California,
In general, EPA believes the states should use the latest version of MOVES that is available
(now MOVES2014a) for new SIP development outside of California. However, state and local
agencies that have already completed significant work with MOVES2014 do not need to redo or
revise that work with MOVES2014a.
Onroad Emissions. Because the differences between MOVES2014 and MOVES2014a are small
for onroad emissions, EPA does not consider it a new emissions model for SIP and transportation
conformity purposes and there will be no new grace period for either regional or project-level
conformity analyses using MOVES2014a. The MOVES2014 grace period for conformity analyses
will apply to MOVES2014a as well. The 2-year grace period for MOVES2014 and MOVES2014a
ends on October 7, 2016 (79 FR 60343). 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 enhancements included will optimize model performance. The guid-
ance document "Policy Guidance on the Use of MOVES2014 and Subsequent Minor Revisions
for State Implementation Plan Development, Transportation Conformity, and other Purposes"
(available at www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/index.htm#sip) applies to MOVES2014a as well
and provides additional details on when and how MOVES2014a should be used. State and local
-------
o
agencies should consult their EPA Regional Office to resolve any questions for a particular non-
attainment or maintenance area,
Nonroad Emissions. MOVES2014 was the first version of MOVES to include nonroad emis-
sions, and the model produced nonroad emission estimates that were equivalent to those from
NONROAD2008 and NMIM2008. As a result, EPA's guidance was that either MOVES2014,
NMIM2008, or NONROAD2008 could be used for estimating nonroad emissions. However,
MOVES2014a adds features that simplify processing of emissions output and includes updated
fuel input files that result in small changes in emission results. In addition, NONROAD2008
and NMIM2008 may no longer work with current operating systems and EPA cannot continue
to provide technical support for these models. Therefore, EPA recommends that for modeling
nonroad emissions, MOVES2014a be used for all new SIP development, although state and local
agencies that have already completed significant work with MOVES2014, NONROAD2008, or
NMIM2008 can continue to do so in order to allow for timely submission of the SIP,
Air Quality Model Inputs. In addition, because MOVES2014a corrects an error in
MOVES2014 that determines how onroad emissions are apportioned into the inputs needed
by air quality models such as CMAQ and CAMx, it is possible that some modelers who have
already used MOVES2014 output to develop air quality model inputs will need to redo their
work. Modelers who have used MOVES output in this way should contact the MOVES Team
at mobile@epa.gov for advice specific to their individual situation,
Can MOVES2014a 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, MOVES2014a 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 October 2015. 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 (see the final question below for a link to this
document). 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 transportation conformity requirements for GHGs,
Can MOVES2014a be used to estimate mobile source toxic emissions?
MOVES2014a estimates emissions for all major mobile source air toxics (MSATs) for both
onroad and nonroad sources. 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 activities are encouraged to use
MOVES. EPA notes that there are no SIP and transportation conformity requirements for air
toxics,
Will EPA be offering training on MOVES2014a?
EPA will be offering webinars for experienced MOVES users to demonstrate new features of
MOVES2014a, and will provide on-site multi-day training courses as needed for new users. Users
will be able to find information on training dates and locations by visiting the MOVES web page.
-------
What resources are available for MOVES2014a?
The MOVES web page (www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/index.htm) is the source for MOVE-
S2014a software as well as previous versions of MOVES, technical documentation, guidance
documents, tools for using MOVES, and information on MOVES training. The following
documents provide additional information on MOVES2014 and MOVES2014a:
• The MOVES User Guide (available at www.epa.gov/otaq/models/movesMuser and in
the MOVES Help menu) provides detailed instructions for using MOVES and has been
updated for MOVES2014a.
• "Policy Guidance on the Use of MOVES2014 and Subsequent Minor Revisions) for
State Implementation Plan Development, Transportation Conformity, and Other Purposes
(available at www.epa.gov/otaq/models/movesMsip) describes how and when to use
MOVES2014 and MOVES2014a for SIP development, transportation conformity,
general conformity, and other purposes,
• "MOVES2014 and 2014a Technical Guidance: Using MOVES to Prepare Emission
Inventories for State Implementation Plans and Transportation Conformity" (available
at www.epa.gov/otaq/models/movesMsip) provides guidance on creating a Run
Specification and adding local data using the County Data Manager for SIPs and regional
transportation conformity analyses.
2.5
• "Transportation Conformity Guidance for Quantitative Hot-spot Analyses in PM
and PM10 Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas" (available at
www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/projectlevel'hotspot.htm#pm'hotspot)
provides guidance on using MOVES for quantitative PM10 and PM25 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' Final" (available at
www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/ghgtravel.htm#ghg) 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 MOVES2014a, please contact the MOVES team at
mobile@epa.gov. If you have SIP or conformity questions, please contact your EPA Regional
Office.
o
-------
Appendix
o
Change from MOVES2014 to
MOVES2014a
Allow users to calculate nonroad VOC
and other HC species and nonroad toxics
Allow users to aggregate nonroad output
across multiple parameters such as model
year and engine technology that MOVES
uses to define nonroad equipment
Updated nonroad gasoline fuel supply to
be consistent with onroad
Fuel Subtype ID added to nonroad output
Added nonroad data importers for
meteorology and fuels
Nonroad GUI repairs
Added new VMT input options for daily
VMT and VMT by MOVES source type
Enables CB6 and improves CB05 chemical
mechanisms for onroad emissions. These
results are used in air quality modeling
Corrected brake wear emission rates
Installation package improvements
Minor updates and corrections to MOVES
defaults, including onroad fuel supply, I/M
coverage, E85 fuel properties, energy and
emission rates.
Fix error in four tables where
distributions did not sum exactly to one
Fix error in state aggregation at national
scale
Simplify onroad vehicles and fuel selection
in MOVES Run Specification
Implication
Users no longer have to rely on NMIM2008 to
estimate emissions of these pollutants
Greatly reduces nonroad output size, simplifies
and shortens time need to post-process nonroad
output to create an inventory
Applies identical fuel characteristics for onroad
and nonroad gasoline. Leads to small increases in
nonroad NOx emissions
Allows for easier post-processing of chemical
mechanisms for air quality modeling
Easier for users to model effects of local
meteorology and fuels on nonroad emissions
Nonroad GUI works more consistently
Added flexibility for users, who can now enter
VMT data in any of four different ways - annual
or daily VMT, by HPMS or MOVES source type
Fixes CB6 and CB05 errors that impact calendar
years 2013-2030. Modelers who have used these
chemical mechanism results should consult with
EPA.
Results in small decreases in total PM emissions
Simplifies installation process and reduces
installation failures
Results in very small emission changes
Causes slight decrease in ramp emissions
Improves consistency when running MOVES at
national scale for multiple states
MOVES automatically removes invalid vehicle/
fuel combinations
-------
Change from MOVES2014 to
MOVES2014a
Fuel wizard improvements
Updated software compatibility
Implication
Repairs scaling for non-ethano! fuel parameters,
increasing the fuel effects for non-ethanol fuel
changes. Also out-of-range fuels are blocked,
reducing possibility of user input errors.
Updated to be compatible with JAVA 7/8,
MySQL Server 5.5/5.6, and Windows XP/
Vista/7/8/10
o
------- |