EPA Releases M0VES3 Mobile
Source Emissions Model:
Questions and Answers
What is MOVES, and why is the EPA releasing MOVES 3?
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 air pollutants, greenhouse gases, and air toxics. Compared
to the previous MOVES2014 modeling tool, MOVES3 allows users to model the benefits
from new regulations promulgated since MOVES2014 was released, incorporates the
CU latest emissions data, and has improved functionality.
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What has changed from MOVES2014b to MOVES 3?
MOVES3 includes many updates to exhaust emission rates to better estimate the
real-world emissions of new vehicle technologies. The model is based on analyses of
< millions of emission test results and considerable advances in EPA's understanding of
vehicle emissions. We have updated heavy-duty (HD) diesel and compressed natural gas
(CNG) emission running rates based on manufacturer in-use testing data from hun-
dreds of HD trucks, and updated HD gasoline emission rates based on instrumented
C vehicles. We have updated light-duty (LD) emission rates for HC, CO & NOx based on
over 100,000 emission measurements and we have updated LD particulate matter rates,
incorporating new data on Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) vehicles. We have also
updated LD and HD start emission rates based on test data.
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In addition, we have updated gasoline and diesel fuel parameters to incorporate data
from EPA fuels compliance testing, including real-world data on gasoline and diesel
sulfur content. We also have updated vehicle activity, such as vehicle start and idling
activity patterns, based on real-world data, and we have updated vehicle miles travelled
(VMT), and vehicle population inputs with newer historical data from FHWA and
updated forecasts from DOE.
Other functional improvements based on user feedback have been added as well.
MOVES3 better accounts for vehicle starts, long-haul truck hotelling, and off-network
idling, and the interface has been improved to make the model easier to use. We have
also updated MOVES for compatibility with newer software.
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The structure of MOVES3 is fundamentally the same as MOVES2014, although there are new
format options for some inputs, and the model run time may differ depending on the type of
run and user inputs and computer configuration. Based on our testing, MOVES run time at the
Default and County Scale should be about the same as runs with MOVES2014b. In addition,
MOVES3 run time at the Project Scale may take notably longer compared to MOVES2014.
As for emissions, EPA performed a comparison of MOVES3 to MOVES2014b using default infor-
mation in MOVES3 at the national level, and for two sample urban counties with different local
travel patterns and ambient conditions. In general, compared to MOVES2014b, MOVES3
national emission estimates are slightly lower for most criteria pollutants in future years. However,
in the two sample urban counties, NOx emissions estimates were higher in future years. This is
due to higher running emissions from heavy-duty trucks outweighing declines from heavy-duty
hotelling. Note that results for individual areas will vary based on the pollutant selected and that
area's local inputs.
What needs to be done to switch to MOVES 3?
While earlier versions of MOVES required the user to manually install Java and MySQL before
installing MOVES, MOVES3 improves this process by doing so automatically. MOVES3 relies
on a newer version of Java and a different database server, MariaDB. The MOVES3 installer will
automatically install all of the prerequisite software, including Java and MariaDB, along with the
MOVES code and database. The installer includes a troubleshooting guide and quick start guide
to using MariaDB.
Note that if MOVES3 is installed on a computer that also has MOVES2014, MOVES2014a, and/
or MOVES2014b installed and configured to use MySQL, the setup wizard will offer to migrate all
of the data in the old MySQL server to the new MariaDB server, as well as reconfiguring the older
versions of MOVES to use MariaDB. Users are strongly encouraged to accept these default settings
to avoid technical problems with installations. If MySQL is not used by other applications on the
computer, it can be safely uninstalled after MOVES3 is installed.
When switching to MOVES3, new run specifications should be constructed using the improved
MOVES3 Graphical User Interface. Additionally, EPA has updated the recommended tools for
batch runs. For user input databases that still contain the latest data, MOVES3 contains a database
conversion tool that may be used to help convert a MOVES2014 database to the MOVES3 format.
The tool contains detailed instructions on performing this task.
How has EPA reviewed the new model?
Technical reports that describe the new MOVES3 inputs and algorithms have been reviewed by
independent experts under EPA's peer review policies and procedures. In addition, this work has
been presented to the MOVES Review Work Group (www.epa.gov/moves/moves-model-review-
work-group), which provides MOVES-related recommendations to EPA via the Mobile Source
Technical Review Subcommittee (MSTRS) of the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee. Members of
the work group represent a spectrum of stakeholders, including vehicle and engine manufacturers,
fuel producers, state and local emission modelers, academic researchers, environmental advocates,
and affected federal agencies. Finally, a draft version of MOVES3 was tested by a small group of
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experienced MOVES users who alerted EPA to potential errors and provided comments on the
new features including the updated interface and the new installer.
When should MOVES3 be used for state implementation plans (SIPs) and transportation con-
formity?
EPA will be publishing a Federal Register notice to announce the availability of MOVES3 for of-
ficial purposes. Details on when and how MOVES3 should be used for regulatory purposes are
provided in EPA's Policy Guidance on the Use of MOVES3 for State Implementation Plan Development,
Transportation Conformity, General Conformity, and Other Purposes, (www.epa.gov/state-and-local-
transportation/policy-and-technical-guidance-state-and-local-transportation#emission) which EPA
released with MOVES3. All states other than California should use MOVES3 for future SIPs to
meet applicable requirements and to take full advantage of the improvements incorporated in
this version.1 However, state and local agencies that have already completed significant SIP work
with MOVES2014, MOVES2014a or MOVES2014b may continue to rely on the earlier version of
MOVES. In addition, EPA intends to include in the upcoming Federal Register notice a two-year
grace period for using MOVES3 for regional transportation conformity purposes and a two-year
grace period for project-level conformity purposes.
Is additional training required to use MOVES 3?
Users who are familiar with MOVES2014 will find MOVES3 easy to use, but we will offer a train-
ing webinar to demonstrate new features of the model and answer questions about changing from
the old model to the new.
Modelers new to MOVES should review the MOVES2014 training materials available on the web
since most of this information is still relevant. We will be updating this material soon.
When EPA schedules training, we update the MOVES training web site with the information
about when and where and how to register and publicize this information via the MOVES listserv.
Instructions on signing up for the listserv are available at www.epa.gov/moves/forms/epa-mobile-
news-listserv.
What other resources are available for MOVES 3?
The MOVES web page (www.epa.gov/moves) is the source for MOVES3 software as well as techni-
cal reports that document the data and algorithms used in MOVES, tools for use with MOVES,
and information on MOVES training. In addition, EPA developed M0VES3 Technical Guidance:
Using MOVES to Prepare Emission Inventories in State Implementation Plans and Transportation Conformity
to describe how to use MOVES for SIP development and regional transportation conformity analyses.
This and other guidance documents can be found at: www.epa.gov/state-and-local-transportation.
Users can obtain technical support by emailing the EPA at mobile@epa.gov; see MOVES3 guidance
documents for additional EPA contact information.
Additionally, the EPA will offer a public webinar providing a general overview of MOVES3, and
training materials as describe above.
1 In California, a different onroad emissions model, EMFAC, is used for regulatory purposes instead of MOVES.
MOVES can also model emissions in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Appendix A: Major Updates in M0VES3
This table summarizes the major updates from MOVES2014b to MOVES3. Additional information
is available in the MOVES3 Technical Reports.
Area Description of Change
Updates to Default Emission Rates, Fuels and Activity
LD PM rates
Included new data from GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) ve-
hicles, and updated PM temperature adjustments.
LD HC/CO/NOx rates
Updated LD running rates based on new Inspection and
Maintenance (l/M) program, Portable Emission Measurement
System (PEMS) and remote sensing data. Updated running
and start rates. Reduced high-power emission rates.
LD Fuel consumptions and C02
Increased fuel consumption and thus C02 to account for the
Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) rule.
LD start emission rates vs.
parked time
Updated the relationship between starts and soak time based
on data from EPA and the California Air Resources Board.
Fuel effects
Updated fuel effect calculations to better characterize the base
fuel used to develop LD gasoline base emission rates
HD GHG Phase 2 standards
Incorporated the effects of the HD Phase 2 GHG rule.
HD diesel running rates
Updated with improvements to heavy-duty (HD) diesel run-
ning emission rates based on manufacturer in-use testing data
from hundreds of HD trucks.
HD CNG and gasoline emission
rates
Updated MY 2007+ CNG and 2008+ gasoline emission rates.
HD start emission rates
Updated MY 2010+ Diesel and MY2008+ gasoline starts based
on compliance data. Updated relationship of starts vs. parking
time.
HD extended idle rates
Updated HD diesel emission rates for extended idling and
auxiliary power units.
Hotelling activity
Updated HD hotelling assumptions (extended idling for diesel
long-haul combination trucks at truck stops) based on new
information.
HD vehicle masses
Increased resolution in vehicle masses, using weigh-in-motion
and other data.
Gliders
Accounted for gliders (new vehicles using older engines) in
vehicle fleet.
HD Crankcase emissions
Updated rates for 2010+.
Improved speciation
Updated organic gas speciation profiles, including methane
emissions.
LD and HD off-network idle
time
Accounted for off-network and work-day idling (idling in park-
ing lots, distribution centers, etc), based on detailed trip data
for LD and HD vehicles.
LD and HD start activity
Updated start activity based on detailed trip data for LD and
HD vehicles.
Accounted for fewer starts by vehicle age.
Road type categories
Removed "ramps" as a separate road type. Ramp driving ac-
tivity is now incorporated in rural and urban freeway driving.
LD and HD VMT and vehicle
characteristics
Updated historic and projected VMT based on 2019 Highway
Statistics and Annual Energy Outlook (AEO). Updated vehicle
age distributions.
Fuel properties
Updated information on gasoline and diesel fuel properties
based on fuel compliance data. These updates affect nonroad
and onroad emissions.
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Appendix B: Changes to User Interface in M0VES3
The structure of MOVES3 is fundamentally the same as MOVES2014, although there are new
format and other options. This table summarizes the changes in the MOVES graphical user inter-
face (GUI), run specifications, input and output databases. For more information on how to use
the new GUI changes for County Scale modeling, see EPA's MOVES3 Technical Guidance: Using
MOVES to Prepare Emission Inventories in State Implementation Plans and Transportation Con-
formity, available at www.epa.gov/state-and-local-transportation/policy-and-technical-guidance-state-
and-local-transportation#emission. Additional information is also included in MOVES3 code
documentation at https://github.com/USEPA/EPA_MOVES_Model.
Description
Notes
New Run Spec Requirements
All roadtypes are required for on road
County Scale and Default Inputs (formerly
"National Scale") runs where the running
process is selected
Needed to accurately estimate the emis-
sions from off-network idle
New Input Tables
Start activity input tables have different
names and structures
More details available in the County da-
tabase (CDB) converter help file and the
technical guidance
Hotelling activity input tables have differ-
ent names and structures
More details available in the CDB converter
help file and the technical guidance
Changed Definitions
SourceTypelD 41, "Intercity Bus" is now
called "Other Bus"
The previous definition only included diesel
Class 8 buses on long distance routes.The
new definition includes any kind of bus that
is not owned or operated by a transit agency
and is not a school bus.
Changes to regulatory classes
RegClassID 40 & 41 were combined into
RegClassID 41 that includes all 'Class 2b and
3Trucks (8,500 lbs < GVWR <= 14,000 lbs)';
RegClassID 40 no longer exists;
RegClassID 49 was added for "Glider Ve-
hicles"
New Capabilities and Output
Off-network idle emissions
Running emissions on the "off-network"
roadtype
Ability to model calendar years up to 2060
MOVES2014 modelled only through 2050.
Ability to model CNG vehicles for all
heavy-duty source types.
MOVES2014 modelled only CNG transit
buses. Users can now set CNG fractions for
all HD source types using the Alternative Ve-
hicle Fuels &Technologies (AVFT) importer.
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Changes in GUI
Renamed "National Scale" as "Default
Inputs"
Reflects that the distinction between Default
and County Scales is based on the source of
the inputs rather than the geographic area
that can be modelled.
Reorganized panels
To improve logical flow of activity and to
better separate "typical" and "advanced"
features
Better keyboard-only navigation
To improve accessibility
Software Changes
MariaDB
MariaDB replaces MySQL as the database
server for MOVES. MariaDB is a drop-in re-
placement for MySQL.The latest versions of
MySQL have removed features that MOVES
relies on, but MariaDB continues to support
these features. It is also easier to install.
JAVA
JAVA is embedded in MOVES3 so users
will not need to install a separate version of
JAVA on their computers.
No Longer Available
Custom Domain (an option within the
County Scale) is no longer available
Users who have used custom domain to
model partial counties or multiple counties
will need to run at County Scale instead.
Ramps are no longer a separate road type;
their emissions are included in the restrict-
ed access road types
Ramps can still be modeled separately in
the Project Scale.
MOVES no longer accepts input of fuel
with MTBE,TAME or ETBE content >0.
Use of these oxygenates in U.S. gasoline is
now negligible.
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