EPA Releases MOVES2014b Mobile
Source Emissions Model:
Questions and Answers
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When should MOVES2014b be used for SIPs and transportation conformity analyses?
MOVES2014b is the most recent version of EPA's motor vehicle emissions model for state and
local agencies to estimate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particu-
late matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), and other precursors from cars, trucks,
buses, motorcycles, and most categories of nonroad equipment for SIPs and transportation con-
formity determinations outside California.
In general, EPA believes the states should use the latest version of MOVES that is available
(now MOVES2014b) for new SIP development outside of California. However, state and local
agencies that have already completed significant work with MOVES2014 or MOVES2014a do
not need to redo or revise that work with MOVES2014b.
Onroad Emissions. EPA does not consider MOVES2014b to be a major MOVES update (i.e.,
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 MOVES2014b.2
EPA encourages state and local agencies to use the latest version of the MOVES model avail-
able at the time that any conformity modeling begins. The guidance document "Policy Guid-
ance on the Use of MOVES2014 and Subsequent Minor Revisions for State Implementation
Plan Development, Transportation Conformity, and other Purposes" (available at www.epa.
gov/moves/latest-version-motor-vehicle-emission-simulator-moves) applies to MOVES2014b as
well and provides additional details on when and how MOVES2014b should be used. State and
local agencies should consult their EPA Regional Office to resolve any questions for a particular
nonattainment or maintenance area.
Nonroad Emissions. EPA recommends that MOVES2014b be used to model nonroad emissions
for all new SIP development, although state and local agencies that have already completed
significant work with MOVES2014a, MOVES2014, NONROAD2008, or NMIM2008 can con-
tinue to do so in order to allow for timely submission of the SIP.
MOVES2014 was the first version of MOVES to include nonroad emissions, and the model
produced nonroad emission estimates that were equivalent to those from NONROAD2008 and
NMIM2008. MOVES2014b includes significant improvements to nonroad inventory estimation
and is EPA's best tool for that task.
Air Quality Model Inputs. EPA recommends MOVES2014b be used to model emissions intend-
ed for use in air quality modeling. MOVES2014b includes updates to the CB05 and CB6CMAQ
chemical mechanisms, and the addition of the SAPRC07T chemical mechanism. These updates
make MOVES output more compatible with the most recent air quality models. MOVES users
should consult with air quality modeling staff to evaluate the importance of these updates for
their specific modeling needs.
Can MOVES2014b be used to estimate greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes, MOVES2014b is EPA's latest and best tool for estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
2 The 2-year grace period for MOVES2014 and MOVES2014a ended on October 7, 2016 (79 FR 60343).
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MOVES2014b includes updates to better characterize greenhouse gas emissions from nonroad
equipment. The model also 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 MOVES2014b be used to estimate mobile source toxic emissions?
MOVES2014b estimates emissions for all major mobile source air toxics (MSATs) for both on-
road and nonroad sources and includes updates to the estimates of toxic emissions from nonroad
equipment. MOVES2014b 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 MOVES2014b. EPA notes
that there are no SIP and transportation conformity requirements for air toxics.
Is additional training required to use MOVES2014b?
There are very minor differences in the operation of MOVES2014b compared to MOVES2014a,
and no additional training is required to run it. The "User Reference Interface Manual Appendix:
MOVES2014b" (see link below) details the interface changes. EPA will be offering webinars to
explain what MOVES2014b is and how it differs from MOVES2014a, and will update training
materials to refer to MOVES2014b. EPA will continue to 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 MOVES2014b?
The MOVES web page (www.epa.gov/moves)is the source for MOVES2014b 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, MOVES2014a and MOVES2014b:
•	The "MOVES User Interface Reference Manual Appendix: MOVES2014b" (available
at www.epa.gov/moves/latest-version-motor-vehicle-emission-simulator-moves) explains
changes to the user interface for MOVES2014b.
•	The "MOVES User Guide" (available at www.epa.gov/moves/latest-version-motor-
vehicle-emission-simulator-moves) provides detailed instructions for using MOVES.
•	"Policy Guidance on the Use of MOVES2014 and Subsequent Minor Revisions) for
State Implementation Plan Development, Transportation Conformity, and Other Pur-
poses (available at www.epa.gov/moves/latest-version-motor-vehicle-emission-simulator-
moves describes how and when to use MOVES2014 and subsequent minor revisions for
SIP development, transportation conformity, general conformity, and other purposes.
•	"MOVES2014, MOVES2014a, and MOVES2014b Technical Guidance: Using MOVES
to Prepare Emission Inventories for State Implementation Plans and Transportation
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Conformity" (available at www.epa.gov/moves/latest-version-motor-vehicle-emission-
simulator-moves) provides guidance on creating a Run Specification 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/state-and-
local-transportation/project-level-conformity-and-hot-spot-analyses) 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/state-and-local-transportation/project-level-conformity-and-hot-spot-analyses)
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/state-and-local-
transportation/estimating-road-greenhouse-gas-emissions) 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 MOVES2014b, please contact the MOVES team at
mobile@epa.gov. If you have SIP or conformity questions, please contact your EPA Regional
Office.
Appendix
Change from MOVES2014a to
MOVES2014b
Implication
Update nonroad growth indices.
For most locations and sectors, this change will
decrease nonroad equipment populations (and
thus emissions), but results vary depending on the
economic sector, the state, and the county's base
year population.
UpdateTier 4 nonroad diesel engine classi-
fications, population splits, speciation, and
emission rates.
These changes better account for emissions from
large diesel engines with advanced after-treatment.
The changes generally decrease future year
emissions.
Update nonroad diesel fuel sulfur levels.
These updates affect nonroad emissions for sulfate
and PM.
Updates to the CB05 and CB6CMAQ chemi-
cal mechanism outputs used for air quality
modeling and addition of SAPRC07T out-
put.
These updates provide better linkage with air
quality models.
Improved menu and documentation for
post-processing scripts.
These improvements should help reduce mistakes
in user post-processing of MOVES results.
Updated technical guidance.
More detailed instructions for MOVES users,
including clarification that MOVES2014 is not
designed to model mid-level ethanol blends,
additional language on how to estimate changes
in state fuel programs, and information on how to
use local information and rates from MOVES2014b
to develop county-specific nonroad inventories.
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