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Air Quality Introduction Air quality is an important component of environmental quality in the Stoney Creek Basin. Currently, air quality is well within acceptable ranges in the Stoney Creek Basin. However, air quality is of regional concern in the Raleigh - Durham area. The Triangle is currently in a state of "moderate non - attainment" for Carbon Monoxide, which means that air quality violates federal standards by no more than 82 percent. While this is not a desirable condition, it is not a uncommon state for an urban area of this size. This designation means that the region must use re- formulated gasoline during the winter months and must coordinate its transportation improvements with its air quality goals. If air quality in the entire region were to deteriorate significantly, the area would be re- classified as a "serious" non - attainment zone. Areas in this category must enact strict transportation control measures to bring air quality down within EPA's standards. The additional vehicular traffic generated by development in the Stoney Creek Basin will produce higher levels of vehicular emissions, potentially having adverse effects upon the health and property of residents of the area. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has promulgated standards for acceptable air quality in urban and rural areas. This analysis will determine whether the expected air quality in Stoney Creek Basin will meet EPA's standards. EPA's standards for carbon monoxide in this area are 9 parts per million (ppm) for concentrations over an eight hour period and 35 ppm for a one -hour period. Methods This impact analysis focuses on carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations at the intersection of NC 10 and New Hope Church Road. Carbon monoxide is most closely associated with automobile traffic because, unlike other pollutants, it directly impacts locations adjacent to its source (i.e. vehicles). Therefore, this analysis focuses on the air quality in areas directly adjacent to a major transportation facility, such as a widely used intersection. The NC 10 and New Hope Church Road intersection was selected because of its proximity to concentrations of proposed development in the area, specifically the Village Core, parks, and residential housing. The analysis was conducted with the CAL3QHC model, which is developed and distributed by the U.S. EPA. The model required three main inputs: the layout of the intersection and adjacent street network; the projected traffic flows through the intersection at buildout; and the location of "receptors ", or points at which the carbon monoxide concentrations would be tested.