Frequently Asked Questions

Questions & Answers on 

MOVES Demo 

What is MOVES? 

MOVES, the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator, is a model currently under 

development at EPA to estimate air pollution emissions and energy consumption 

by cars, trucks, non-road equipment and other mobile sources. Eventually, MOVES 

will replace EPA’s MOBILE6.2 model of highway vehicle emissions and EPA’s 

NONROAD model of emissions from non-road mobile sources. 

What is MOVES Demo? 

MOVES Demo, also known as MOVES-HVI (Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator 

Highway Vehicle Implementation) Demonstration Version, is an update to 

MOVES2004. MOVES Demo replaces and expands upon MOVES2004 software 

which allows users to compute energy consumption, methane and nitrous oxide 

emissions. 

MOVES Demo also adds the capability to model criteria pollutants (hydrocarbons, 

nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter) but all of the criteria 

pollutant emission rates in MOVES Demo are placeholder values and do not 

represent actual emission rates. 

MOVES Demo adds many of the major software features planned for the future final 

MOVES, including among other features: 

•	 a trip processor to compute vehicle start and soak times 

•	 a post-processor to produce summary output 

•	 a limited pre-processor for inspection and maintenance (I/M) inputs 

•	 optional output in grams/mile 

How does MOVES Demo differ from the final official release of 

MOVES? 

MOVES Demo does not contain all of the features and capabilities planned for the 

official release of MOVES. For example, we expect to further refine the I/M pre 

processor and add more pre-processors to MOVES that will simplify the input of 

some local data. And, of course, the final version of MOVES will replace the current 

“placeholder” values for emission rates with real rates. 

Office of Transportation and Air Quality 

EPA420-F-07-043 

May 2007 
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of MOVES Demo? 

MOVES Demo provides an excellent opportunity for modelers to start learning to use the 

advanced features of the MOVES model and to provide feedback to EPA as we continue our 

work on the MOVES model. MOVES Demo also provides an opportunity for modelers to begin 

thinking about how to integrate MOVES into existing inventory development and air quality 

modeling processes. We encourage users to make suggestions about features and capabilities not 

currently in MOVES Demo and to report any difficulties you have with the software. 

How can I contact EPA to make suggestions about the MOVES Demo or to 

report difficulties? 

If you want to make suggestions about the MOVES Demo or report difficulties with it, please e 

mail the MOVES team at mobile@epa.gov. 

Does MOVES Demo require any specific software knowledge? 

MOVES Demo has a graphical user interface which is described in detail in the MOVES User 

Guide. MOVES relies on MySQL databases to manage user input and output. While prior 

experience with MySQL is not required to run MOVES Demo, knowledge of MySQL or 

experience with relational databases may be needed to do more complicated analysis with 

MOVES. 

May MOVES Demo be used to estimate emissions for State Implementation 

Plans (SIPs) and conformity determinations? 

No. Users may not use MOVES for any submissions for State Implementation Plans (SIPs) or 

conformity determinations until EPA approves an “official” version of MOVES. 

What model should be used to estimate highway vehicle emissions for SIPs and 

conformity determinations now? 

Currently, MOBILE6.2 is EPA’s official model for estimating emissions from highway vehicles 

See the February, 24, 2004, “Policy Guidance on the Use of MOBILE6.2 and the December 

2003 AP-42 Method for Re-Entrained Road Dust for SIP Development and Transportation 

Conformity” for more details. This document is on the Web at www.epa.gov/otaq/models 

mobile6/mobile6.2_letter.pdf. 

What is the schedule for the release of future versions of MOVES? 

MOVES Demo will be followed by a comprehensive draft version of MOVES for highway 

vehicles that will include draft emission rates that are EPA’s best estimates of actual emissions 

We plan to schedule an additional significant comment period on this draft model to assure that 

all stakeholders have adequate time to review the comprehensive draft model. The date of the 

draft model release will depend on EPA progress resolving emission rate technical issues, but is 

estimated to be in the fall of 2008. 

After we complete stakeholder review of MOVES Demo and the future comprehensive draft 

MOVES for highway vehicles, we plan to release an official version of MOVES, approved 

for use estimating highway vehicle emissions in SIPs and conformity determinations. The timing 

Questions & Answers on MOVES Demo 
Frequently Asked Questions

for the official MOVES version will depend on the comments received on MOVES Demo and 

the future draft MOVES, but is most likely to be in the fall of 2009. Future versions of MOVES 

will also incorporate the capability to model emissions of nonroad equipment, but the schedule 

for adding that capability has not been determined. 

Where can I get more information on MOVES Demo? 

Software and documentation for MOVES Demo are available on the web at www.epa.gov/ 

otaq/ngm.htm. If you have additional questions about MOVES Demo, e-mail 

the MOVES team at mobile@epa.gov. 

Questions & Answers on MOVES Demo