Tailpipe Emissions and the Construction of Knowledge Related to Vehicles In Northern Climates

This study examines 1471 Associated Press news articles in the U.S. regarding motor vehicle tailpipe emissions between 2000 and 2008. Using a frame analysis approach, we find that tailpipe emissions are defined either as a public health or environmental issue. Examining the co-occurrence of frames with the actors in the discourse, we find that the technology solution is the preferred solution articulated by all actors, including government officials, the auto industry, business interests and environmental organizations. While the technology as a solution construction is dominant, actual reductions in tailpipe emissions from vehicles, (including GHG emissions) will also require significant changes in individual travel behavior. We argue that the lack of a publicly available discourse regarding non-technology solutions limits public understanding of the policy measures necessary to reduce tailpipe emissions.

• Record URL:
  http://www.uvm.edu/trc/university-transportation-center/utc-current-project-list/
• Supplemental Notes:
  • TRC Final Report URL's http://www.uvm.edu/~transctr/research/trc_reports/UVM-TRC-12-010.pdf http://www.uvm.edu/~transctr/research/trc_reports/UVM-TRC-12-011.pdf

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $150500.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT06-G-0018

  024815

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  University Transportation Centers Program
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Glitman, Karen

• Performing Organizations:

  UVM Transportation Center

  University of Vermont
  210 Colchester Avenue
  Burlington, VT  United States  05405
• Principal Investigators:

  Watts, Richard

• Start Date: 20100101
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20120831
• Source Data: RiP Project 26287

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality management; Exhaust gases; Exhaust pipes; Frigid regions; Knowledge; Pollutants
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01569182
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: UVM Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: DTRT06-G-0018, 024815
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 2 2015 1:00AM