Air quality in central Ohio improved in 2017. Mike Foley explains.
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission issues daily air quality forecasts and notifies the public when ozone and particle pollution levels are considered to be unhealthy for certain groups of people. Air pollution levels reached the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range just twice according to MORPC's seasonal report, which covers November 2016 through October 2017. There were ten such days during the previous seasonal stretch. Also this season, there were no Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Air Quality Index days for particle pollution. MORPC credits area initiatives for the improvement, including the city of Hilliard's electric vehicle charging stations, which are free for the public during a 5-year pilot project through 2020. MORPC officials also highlight the city of Columbus and its partnership with Whitehall, Bexley, Grandview Heights and New Albany to connect traffic signals across the city and at the borders between the regions. They say the improved signal timing will result in shorter travel times and less emissions from vehicles idling at traffic lights.
