Analyzing the Meteorology Driven Spatial-temporal Variability in Transportation Air Quality Impacts on Neighboring Communities

The Inland Empire region of Southern California has been rapidly developing into a logistics industry hub for consumer goods distribution, which has brought with it a variety of impacts such as increased traffic (including light-duty vehicles, truck fleets, and aircraft) within and around surrounding communities. The emissions associated with this traffic, combined with existing population and socioeconomic vulnerabilities, make these communities particularly susceptible to negative health outcomes resulting from these changes in air pollution. This human health and environmental justice dilemma highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the spatial-temporal variability of air quality to inform regulations aimed at reducing exposure to harmful pollutants. We use low-cost air quality sensors deployed across the city of Ontario, CA, to build upon two existing long term surface air quality measurement sites, providing a deeper understanding of spatiotemporal variability of pollutants and pollution precursors. Here we present an analysis of the seasonal, diurnal, and spatial patterns revealed by this extended network, along with connections to expected sources and implications for downwind communities.