Using Scenarios to Assess the Impact of Air Pollution in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Abstract

This article addresses tropospheric ozone, created by privately owned vehicles, that may be observed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the year 2025, if current trends continue. The uniqueness of our research is twofold: (a) it considers the potential of human settlement patterns in a study region based on existing activities (including sprawl) and (b) it develops a personal trip-making framework to estimate vehicle miles traveled (VMTs). The authors calculate approximately what effect the VMTs would have on air quality. Our analysis indicates that the Park, with limited intervention, can see a reduction in ozone levels.