Protecting Public Health With Clean Transportation in North Carolina

Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is an increasingly predominant source of air pollution in North Carolina (NC). Several executive orders have sought to address TRAP and prevent potential health effects from this source of exposure. In January 2022, NC Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 246 (EO 246), which directed the North Carolina Department of Transportation to develop the North Carolina Clean Transportation Plan with considerations for environmental justice (EJ) and equity, in addition to establishing new goals for reduction of greenhouse gases in North Carolina and prioritizing EJ activities.

The purpose of this manuscript is to support implementation of clean transportation policies in North Carolina. It summarizes the current evidence on health and climate impacts of TRAP and documents the potential health benefits of implementing the clean transportation policies, especially if applied equitably to benefit communities with the greatest need.

There is a strong body of evidence demonstrating the deleterious impacts of TRAP exposure on many health outcomes. Throughout the United States, including in North Carolina, TRAP exposure disproportionately impacts communities of color and low income communities.

Based on the strong public health evidence that TRAP exposure causes diseases and mortality and contributes to health disparities as well as the projected reductions in TRAP burden, particularly in near-road communities, we recommend implementation of clean transportation policies with an emphasis on equity.