The nexus between PM 2.5 and urban characteristics in the Texas triangle region

Particulate matter (PM), coming from various human activities involving the burning of fuels, has many negative effects on human health. Through measurements of PM data at sparsely distributed monitoring stations across a given area, many studies have examined the simple relationship between PM and either of two urban characteristics: land cover and transportation. However, the studies of PM data from a limited number of monitoring stations have not fully accounted for variations in regional PM concentration. Furthermore, consideration of only one of two key urban characteristics may not provide a complete picture of the relationship. Hence, the primary goal of this study is to estimate the effects of both land cover and transportation on the PM 2.5 concentration indicated by satellite imagery. Focusing on the Texas Triangle region, we implemented diverse transportation measures with Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques and land cover measures with remotely sensed imagery at the census tract level. With these measures, we developed spatial regression models to examine spatially correlated effects on PM 2.5. We then used the estimated models to conduct elasticity analysis, thus helping to design an environmental policy to alleviate PM 2.5 and achieve long-term regional sustainability.