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RESEARCH GUIDES

ENSP 400: Capstone in Environmental Science and Policy

Research guide for ENSP 400: Capstone in Environmental Science and Policy

Heavy-Duty Vehicle NOx and Environmental Justice

Welcome to the research guide for your ENSP 400 project! Scroll down to access a selection of useful resources.

Three white tractor trailer trucks in a row in front of a forest lit orange by a setting sun.

Photo by Quintin Gellar: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-volvo-semi-truck-on-side-of-road-2199293/

Photo by Quintin Gellar: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-volvo-semi-truck-on-side-of-road-2199293P

Heavy-Duty Vehicle NOx and Environmental Justice Resources

Problems to be solved

To support the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's (CBF) efforts to urge the EPA to set stringent nitrogen oxide (NOx) standards for heavy duty vehicle engines, CBF seeks research on and analysis of the harmful impacts of NOx and other air pollutants on historically disadvantaged communities in the Chesapeake Bay region. This research and analysis will inform the creation of case studies or story maps focused on specific communities. These case studies could highlight such factors as location of schools, truck traffic, location of freight corridors, location of shipping warehouses, proximity to highways, and other sources of heavy-duty vehicle traffic.

Questions to Answer

  • What criteria should be considered in highlighting Bay communities that are most impacted? (e.g., criteria identified in EJ Screen, MD EJ Screen, Climate Solutions Now Act)
  • What are the most significant sources of NOx and other air pollutants in these communities? Consider cumulative impact.
  • Which communities within the Bay watershed are most impacted based on these criteria? (Identify 2-3 communities)
  • What additional burdens are these communities facing?
  • If NOx reductions are made, what are the benefits that these communities will receive?
  • What are some examples of other communities facing similar problems that have been highlighted in other parts of the country?
  • What are some of the communication strategies that have been used to convey information about these impacts?

Methodology/Approach

  • Research on and identification of criteria (including demographic, environmental, etc)
  • Research on the most significant sources of NOx and other air pollutants
  • GIS analysis applying criteria and sources to identify impacted communities
  • Research on cumulative impacts
  • Research on benefits of NOx reductions
  • Research on other case studies/story maps that have been developed in the US to highlight similar trends
  • Development of narrative case studies/story maps of most impacted communities

These resources are listed in your project scope document.

Search Tips:

  • Use your project scope document to create a list of searchable keywords. Add keywords listed in relevant articles to this list.
  • Keep track of your search strings. Many databases will show you your search history, and even let you save searches!
  • If you find relevant references in an article, look them up by title in Google Scholar and read that article for more information. Chain down the literature.
    • This goes for news articles too. If they mention a report or scholarly article, try to find that original document. There may be more information in there that is relevant to your research!
  • Web of Science and Google Scholar will let you see if another article has cited the article you're reading. Chain up the literature.
  • If you are struggling access an article's full text try using the Reload Button.

If you are interested in learning about the UMD Libraries' GIS services, please contact GIS Librarian Milan Budhathoki (mb17@umd.edu) or check out our website at the link below.