Energy & Environment Analysis

About

The transportation sector in the US accounts for more than 30% of the energy needs, which makes it the biggest direct source of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The energy-intense transportation system and the traffic-related emissions also bring heavy burdens to the expenditure and health of American families. To combat climate change while bringing health and economic benefits, it is necessary to transform the transportation system to rely on renewable energy, and envision an energy-efficient, equitable, and affordable transportation future.

My research contributes to the Energy and Environment Analysis in the following areas: Renewable Energy Transition, Emission and Environmental Health, Equity Impact.

Renewable Energy Transition

The world is transitioning to renewable energy, and my research concentrates on energy consumption estimation from the transportation sector and the development of energy-efficient mobility services. The research predicts the electricity demands under different EV market penetration rates and integrates EVs with the Grid system. It also contributes to the decision-making of agencies in rising the market penetration of EVs and planning equitable charging facilities.

  • Jiang, Q., Zhang, N., He, Y. B., & Ma, J. (2023). Public charging demand prediction for electric vehicles in large-scale transportation systems with a scenario- and activity-based approach. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice.

Emission and Environmental Health

GHG and air pollutant emissions from transportation sectors take a huge proportion of total emissions in the US, which accelerate climate change and impact public health significantly, especially for disadvantaged communities. My research focuses on alleviating the GHG and air pollutant emissions from the transportation sector via promoting Zero-Emission Vehicles adoptions within communities of diverse socio-economic and demographic backgrounds.

  • Yu, Q., He, Y. B., Zhu, Y., & Ma, J. (2023). Environmental justice implications of distributive equity and near-roadway air quality from zero-emission vehicle adoption in California. Nature Communications. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43309-9

    Jiang, Q., He, Y. B., & Ma, J. (2022). Impact evaluation of connected and automated vehicles in Southern California with an activity-based approach part II: Environment and equity analysis and policy implication. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, special issue: Pathway into Full Autonomy by Leveraging Infrastructure Enabled Automation. doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2022.103381.

    Wang, D., Tayarani, M., He, Y. B., Gao, J., Chow, J. Y., Gao, H. O., & Ozbay, K. (2021). Mobility in post-pandemic economic reopening under social distancing guidelines: Congestion, emissions, and contact exposure in public transit. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice. doi: 10.1016/j.tra.2021.09.005.

    Wang, D., He, Y. B., Gao, J., Chow, J. Y., Ozbay, K., & Iyer, S. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 behavioral inertia on reopening strategies for New York City transit. International Journal of Transportation Science and Technology, 10(2), 197-211. doi: 10.1016/j.ijtst.2021.01.003.

Equity Impact

The transition to 100% renewable energy makes our society more sustainable, while the benefits may not be equitably distributed among different population groups. My research estimates disparities among population groups in terms of energy and transportation burdens, accessibility to economic opportunities, and exposure to air pollutant emissions.

  • Jiang, Q., He, Y. B., & Ma, J. (2022). Impact evaluation of connected and automated vehicles in Southern California with an activity-based approach part II: Environment and equity analysis and policy implication. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, special issue: Pathway into Full Autonomy by Leveraging Infrastructure Enabled Automation. doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2022.103381.

    Tsukiji, T., Zhang, N., Jiang, Q., He, Y. B., & Ma, J. (2023). A Multifaceted Equity Metric System for Transportation Electrification. IEEE Open Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems.