Colin Murphy

Abstract

Diesel particulate matter, emitted by many types of freight transport, poses a health risk to populations living near freight activity. Accurate information about the magnitude and location of health impacts would help inform policy decisions at a number of levels. Existing methods, including atmospheric dispersion modeling, epidemiology or air quality measurement can estimate the magnitude of harm experienced by populations but these methods often require resources or expertise beyond the reach of some stakeholders, particularly those at local levels. This thesis describes a framework by which health impact estimation can be carried out utilizing readily available models and methodologies in a more simple fashion. This framework postulates that significant parts of the analytic process can be automated by computer scripts or other programmatic structures, thereby reducing the time, expertise and resource requirements for health impact analyses. These analyses will allow policy makers to more effectively evaluate the expected health impacts of transport policy and incorporate public health considerations into other policy making activities. This thesis assembles the analytic tools required for these analyses and outlines the ways in which they might be joined into a single piece of software; though the actual creation of this software is left to future work. A case study of on-highway truck activity in Sacramento, CA utilizes this analytic framework. This case study demonstrates framework and also highlights some possible policy directions for transport in the region.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Diesel motor exhaust gas--Health aspects; Freight and freightage--Health aspects; Trucking--California--Sacramento--Health aspects--Case studies; Transportation and state--Research

Publication Date

5-1-2008

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Department of Science Technology and Society/Public Policy (CLA)

Advisor

Korfmacher, Karl

Advisor/Committee Member

Hawker, Scott

Advisor/Committee Member

Foltz, Franz

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: RA577.D53 M87 2008

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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