Environmental Equity in Focus: Heat Exposure in Small and Rural Communities of Vermont and Vehicle Traffic Exposure Across the United States

Author

Brittany Antonczak, University of Vermont

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

First Advisor

Gregory Rowangould

Abstract

Extreme heat and traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) represent significant environmental public health challenges. Over the past three decades, heat exposure has emerged as a leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the United States (U.S.), exacerbated by the urban heat island effect which intensifies temperatures in densely populated areas. Paved surfaces, a major component of urban environments, contribute significantly to extreme heat microenvironments. While disparities in heat exposure based on race and socioeconomic status have been well-documented in major cities globally, less is known about these disparities in smaller cities and rural communities. To address this gap, I developed a framework for population exposure analysis to assess disparities related to paved surfaces as a proxy for extreme heat. This framework integrates high-resolution land cover data, parcel boundaries, E911 site locations, and sociodemographic information. Applying this framework across Vermont's urban-rural continuum revealed widespread disparities, with systematically higher exposure to extreme heat in low-income neighborhoods and among non-White populations.

On-road vehicle traffic continues to be a major source of hazardous air pollutants in the U.S., particularly affecting communities near high-traffic areas. Despite overall reductions in vehicle emissions, significant racial and socioeconomic disparities in exposure persist. This study used updated traffic data from 2018 and census data from 2020 to evaluate TRAP exposure near roadways, employing metrics such as traffic proximity, traffic density, and a newly introduced metric, emission density. The findings indicate that 24% of the U.S. population now lives near high-volume roadways, a notable increase from a decade ago. The analysis revealed substantial disparities, with people of color and low-income residents experiencing disproportionately higher levels of air pollution along roadways across nearly every U.S. county. Additionally, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles contribute significantly to emissions exposure relative to their traffic volume. Despite decreases in vehicle emission rates, the growing number of residents near high-volume roadways, combined with increasing traffic volumes and persistent inequities, highlights critical public health and environmental justice issues.

This analysis provides valuable data and insights into disparities in exposure to extreme heat and TRAP across diverse sociodemographic groups. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted policies and interventions to address environmental health disparities exacerbated by urbanization and transportation, highlighting the intersection of public health, environmental justice, and urban planning.

Language

en

Number of Pages

156 p.

Recommended Citation

Antonczak, Brittany, "Environmental Equity in Focus: Heat Exposure in Small and Rural Communities of Vermont and Vehicle Traffic Exposure Across the United States" (2024). Graduate College Dissertations and Theses. 1942.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/1942