Utilizing ITS at International Ports to Reduce PM2.5 and NO2 Emissions

The research team will develop an integrated Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) at four ports of entry, supplemented by low-cost PM2.5 and NO2 sensors, to support real-time information and monitor idling-related emissions from commercial vehicles. This project would supplement the existing ITS network managed by the City of El Paso by installing low-cost PM2.5 and NO2 sensors at ports of entry and across the network to monitor air quality and idling-related emissions. Mitigating PM2.5 and NO2 emissions from commercial vehicles is an essential component to reducing poor air quality, which has a major health impact on El Paso residents. The objective of the project is to monitor and visually-represent commercial vehicle activity and emissions in real-time simultaneously and identify congestion points and high-emission zones. This objective is achieved by combining dedicated PM2.5 and NO2 sensors with traditional ITS (fiber optic communications, lane management systems, dynamic message signs, closed-circuit television cameras, ground vehicle sensors, signal phasing and timing). As part of Outreach Tasks, this model is intended to provide additional datasets that will be presented to the public, to logistics companies operating commercial vehicles at international ports, to decision makers that can make policy changes, and funding agencies like USDOT for funding construction improvements. Focusing on mitigating congestion and reducing PM2.5 and NO2 emissions at international ports will result in positive transportation-related health disparities and improve air quality for disadvantaged communities. This model can be replicated across all international ports along the U.S.-Mexico and U.S. Canada border and in international borders with similar commercial activity.

• Record URL:
  • https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/Presto/project=5-9909-25

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $156,101.00
• Contract Numbers:

  5-9909-25

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Texas Department of Transportation

  125 E. 11th Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483
• Managing Organizations:

  Texas Department of Transportation

  125 E. 11th Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483
• Project Managers:

  Pridgen, Shelley

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Texas at El Paso

  El Paso, TX  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Chavez, Mayra

• Start Date: 20250314
• Expected Completion Date: 20260831
• Actual Completion Date: 20260831

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Air quality; Commercial vehicles; Intelligent transportation systems; International borders; Monitoring; Nitrogen dioxide; Particulates; Pollutants; Ports of entry; Sensors
• Geographic Terms: El Paso (Texas)
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Environment; Freight Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 02001757
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 5-9909-25
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 3 2026 10:09AM