It makes sense that riding public transit is better for air quality than single riders each driving a personal vehicle. In a new study, GCSC affiliates Daniel Mendoza and John Lin, along with colleague Martin Buchert, quantify those emissions reductions. The research team analyzed rider data along with transit service schedules and routes to estimate the impact of Utah Transit Authority buses, light rail, and commuter rail on the air quality in its service region by accounting for vehicle miles traveled, gasoline gallons equivalent of fuel consumed, and multiple pollutant species emitted. The researchers predict that certain equipment upgrades could reduce some pollutants by 50% to 70%. Read more here.