Roadways are the primary route of transportation for most Americans. Consequently, much of American society, including jobs, housing, schools, and recreational centers in major metropolitan areas, is intentionally clustered in neighborhoods close to highways. But life near highways—while convenient from a transportation perspective—has a major downside: constant exposure to air and noise pollution produced by cars, trucks, and motorcycles. A new Urban Institute brief summarizes evidence that people who live, work, and learn within 150 to 300 meters of highways are at increased risk of health problems including lung disease, stroke, and premature birth because of their increased exposure to pollution. Further, Americans who live near highways are more likely to be people of color or to have low incomes, posing a serious environmental justice concern. During this event, we will discuss local, state, and federal policies and monitoring practices that could help ensure a safer, healthier, and more equitable future of transportation. Notably, speakers will discuss the opportunities and challenges that new federal funding (including the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act) poses for policymakers leveraging transportation expenditures to fund pollution barriers or less-polluting roadway design.
Date & Time: Nov 16, 2022 02:00 PM CST
Cost: Free
Via Zoom: click here to register