AI-Enabled Decarbonization Analytics for State and Local Transportation: A Data-Driven Framework for Evaluating Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Air Quality, and Equity Impacts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63282/3050-9416.IJAIBDCMS-V6I2P110Keywords:
Decarbonization, Transportation Planning, Program Evaluation, Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Air Quality Analysis, Community Equity, Data-Driven Assessment, Clean Fleet Strategies, Environmental Policy, Machine Learning Applications In SustainabilityAbstract
State and local transportation agencies across the United States are seeking practical ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and address long-standing equity concerns. However, most evaluation tools used today are limited to basic accounting methods and do not provide a clear picture of how different decarbonization strategies perform across environmental, social, and financial dimensions. This study introduces a data-driven analytical framework that supports program evaluation for transit agencies, school districts, and municipal fleets. The framework combines predictive modeling, evidence based evaluation methods, and multi-criteria decision analysis to examine the benefits of clean transportation programs with greater clarity and reliability. Publicly available data sources, including emissions inventories, fleet activity records, air quality observations, and community-level demographic indicators, are used to estimate greenhouse gas reductions, changes in exposure to pollutants, and the distribution of benefits across communities. The study applies the framework to a representative urban region to demonstrate how different clean fleet strategies can be compared in a transparent and structured way. Results show meaningful improvements in emissions and community outcomes when agencies transition to cleaner technologies, especially in neighborhoods with a history of higher exposure to transportation-related pollution. This research provides a practical and adaptable evaluation approach that can help local and state agencies strengthen funding applications, guide investment choices, and align transportation programs with national climate and environmental justice priorities
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