Office of Transportation and Air Quality

EPA-420-F-13-004

January 2013

EPA Releases MOVES2010b Mobile 

Source Emissions Model Revision: 

Questions and Answers 

Note: This document is a revised version of the Questions and Answers that were 

released in April 2012, when EPA originally released MOVES2010b as a minor revision 

to MOVES2010. Important differences from the April 2012 Questions and Answers are 

indicated in italics. When necessary, the new release of MOVES2010b is referred to as 

the “revised version of MOVES2010b.” All other references to “MOVES2010b” in this 

document as well as other MOVES-related documents continue to be applicable. 

What is MOVES, and why is EPA releasing a revised version of MOVES2010b?

The MOtor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) is the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) state-of-the-art tool for estimating emissions from highway vehicles. The model is based on analyses of millions of emission test results and 

considerable advances in the Agency’s understanding of vehicle emissions. Compared 

to previous tools, MOVES incorporates the latest emissions data, more sophisticated 

calculation algorithms, increased user flexibility, new software design, and significant 

new capabilities. EPA announced the release of MOVES2010 in March 2010 (75 FR 

9411), and released a minor revision as MOVES2010a in September 2010. 

EPA originally released MOVES2010b in April 2012 to allow MOVES users to benefit 

from several improvements to general model performance. EPA is now releasing a 

revised version of MOVES2010b. As discussed in detail in Question 5 in this document, 

agencies that have used the April 2012 version of MOVES2010b for ongoing modeling 

can complete that work, but any new modeling with MOVES2010b should be based on 

the revised version of MOVES2010b. MOVES2010b does not significantly affect the 

criteria pollutant emissions results of MOVES2010 and therefore is not a new model. 

What has changed from MOVES2010a to MOVES2010b?

When EPA originally released MOVES2010b in April 2012, EPA outlined several 

Questions and Answers

performance enhancements to assist as state and local agencies generate MOVES 
2

Questions and Answers

emissions inventories. For example, MOVES2010b works better in networks and has improved 

capabilities that make it faster in certain circumstances. Several improvements have been 

made to data input managers to make MOVES2010b easier to use with more functionality. 

MOVES2010b also takes advantage of newer versions of Java (version 1.7.0) and MySQL 

(version 5.5.12).

MOVES2010b also included a number of other improvements. These are listed in Appendix 

A. The net impact of these changes on emissions is very small in runs at the both County and 

Project scale. More detailed pollutant output for air quality modeling is also available.

What has changed in the revised version of MOVES2010b that is being released today?

During ongoing MOVES development work, EPA staff discovered an error in the MOVES database 

that was originally released with the April 2012 version of MOVES2010b. This error affected only 

hydrocarbon emissions from the vapor venting process in gasoline vehicles after calendar year 2020. 

As a result of this error, the April 2012 version of MOVES2010b underestimated hydrocarbon 

emissions beginning in 2021. The error is small in 2021, but gradually increases with fleet turnover 

over time. For example, in generic testing, the error resulted in underestimating total volatile organic 

compounds (VOCs) by less than 0.5% in 2021, to almost 6.5% in 2040. This error is unique to the 

4/10/2012 database originally included with the April 2012 version of MOVES2010b and does not 

occur in MOVES2010a or MOVES2010. This error also does not affect any other pollutants or 

precursors that were estimated by the April 2012 version of MOVES2010b. 

The revised version of MOVES2010b released today includes an updated database (dated 

10/30/2012) that corrects this error. 

What needs to be done to switch to MOVES2010b? 

Instructions for downloading and installing the revised version of MOVES2010b are available on the 

MOVES web page www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/.

Users will find that Run Specifications (RunSpecs) and input databases developed with 

MOVES2010 or MOVES2010a need to be changed to run with MOVES2010b. EPA has created 

tools that easily convert old RunSpecs and databases to the MOVES2010b format. 

Users should always specify in relevant documentation what version of MOVES was used to 

create emissions results for state implementation plans (SIPs), conformity and other purposes. 

When should MOVES2010b be used for state implementation plans and transportation 

conformity analyses? 

MOVES is EPA’s latest motor vehicle emissions model for state and local agencies to estimate 

VOCs, nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), 
3

Questions and Answers

and other precursors from cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles for SIPs and transportation conformity determinations outside California. 

Because MOVES2010b does not significantly affect criteria pollutant emissions results from 

MOVES2010, we are not considering MOVES2010b a new emissions model for SIP and transportation conformity purposes under 40 CFR 93.111, and there will be no new grace period for 

regional conformity analyses using MOVES2010b. The MOVES2010 grace period for regional 

conformity analyses will apply to the use of MOVES2010b as well. EPA extended the grace 

period for regional conformity analyses to March 2, 2013 (77 FR 11394). For project-level PM 

and CO hot-spot analyses, the 2-year conformity grace period for using MOVES ends December 

20, 2012 (75 FR 79370). This MOVES2010a grace period for PM or CO hot-spot analyses for 

project-level conformity determinations will apply to the use of MOVES2010b as well. EPA 

encourages state and local agencies to use the latest version of the MOVES model available 

at the time that any conformity modeling begins, since the model framework enhancements 

included will optimize model performance. 

In general, EPA believes the states should use the latest version of MOVES2010 that is available for SIP development. All states other than California should use today’s MOVES2010b 

release for future SIPs in order to take full advantage of the improvements incorporated in 

this version. If states have completed significant work on a SIP with the April 2012 version 

of MOVES2010b, such work can be completed and submitted for EPA action. State and local 

agencies that have already completed significant work on a SIP with MOVES2010 or MOVES2010a can continue to use it. 

EPA has determined that the practical impact from today’s release of the revised version of 

MOVES2010b is minimal for SIP and conformity modeling. Most state and local agencies have 

not yet begun using the April 2012 version of MOVES2010b for SIP or transportation conformity purposes. As noted above, the corrected database in today’s release is intended to ensure that 

MOVES2010b VOC emissions estimates for analysis years 2021 and later are consistent with 

MOVES2010 and MOVES2010a. VOC estimates for earlier analysis years and estimates for all 

other pollutants and precursor are not affected by today’s release. Due to the circumstances involved, 

if significant work has occurred with the April 2012 version of MOVES2010b, that work can be 

completed. However, any new SIP and conformity modeling work with MOVES2010b should be 

completed with the revised version of MOVES2010b. 

To determine when to use MOVES2010b in SIP development and transportation conformity 

determinations, refer to EPA’s updated policy guidance on the use of MOVES for SIP 

development and transportation conformity at: 

www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm#models. State and local agencies should 

consult their EPA Regional Office to resolve any questions for a particular nonattainment or 

maintenance area.
4

Questions and Answers

Can MOVES2010b be used to estimate greenhouse gas emissions? 

Yes, MOVES is currently EPA’s best tool for estimating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 

the transportation sector. At this time, MOVES2010b is the latest version of MOVES that has 

been released, and it accounts for all national fuel economy and GHG standards for cars and 

trucks as of September 2010. In addition, EPA has developed MOVES technical guidance that 

describes how to use MOVES to estimate GHG emissions and/or energy consumption from onroad vehicles in a state or metropolitan area.1

 State and local agencies estimating GHG emissions in the transportation planning process should consider using the latest version of MOVES 

for GHG emissions analyses in the future. EPA notes that there are no SIP and transportation 

conformity requirements for GHGs. 

Can MOVES2010b be used to estimate mobile source toxic emissions? 

MOVES2010a estimates emissions for the following mobile source air toxics (MSATs): benzene, 

1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, naphthalene, ethanol, and methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE). MOVES2010b adds the other MSATs shown in Table A-2 that were previously available in the National Mobile Inventory Model (NMIM) and included in the National 

Emission Inventory. Consistent with EPA’s approach in transitioning from MOBILE/NMIM to 

MOVES, additional emission factor test data were included.2

MOVES is EPA’s best available tool for quantifying emissions of these MSATs. State and local 

agencies, academic institutions, and other parties who are interested in analyzing MSAT emissions from transportation projects are encouraged to use MOVES. 

EPA notes that there are no SIP and transportation conformity requirements for air toxics. 

Regarding the analysis of MSAT emissions in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

process, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has responsibility for implementing NEPA 

for federally-funded or approved transportation projects. 

What other resources are available for MOVES2010b? 

The MOVES web page (www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/index.htm) is the source for 

MOVES2010b software as well as previous versions of MOVES, technical documentation, 

1 The latest version of “Using MOVES for Estimating State and Local Inventories of On-Road Greenhouse Gas 

Emissions and Energy Consumption -Final” (EPA-420-B-12-068, November 2012) is available on the EPA web site 

at www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/ghgtravel.htm. 2 These data are described in the technical documentation for the MOVES model. For example, publicly available 

test data from the Coordinating Research Council and the Health Effects Institute’s Advanced Collaborative Emissions Study (ACES) program are included for exhaust from diesel engines and permeation from gasoline engines for 

MSATs. For air toxics that have been added, newer data are also used for advanced technology gasoline vehicles. 

However, for air toxics in MOVES2010a,factors for gasoline vehicles are unchanged; thus, only very minor changes 

in results are anticipated. 
5

Questions and Answers

guidance documents, tools for using MOVES, and information on MOVES training. The following documents provide additional information on the MOVES2010, MOVES2010a, and 

MOVES2010b: 

•	 The MOVES User Guide (available at www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/ and in the 

MOVES Help menu) provides detailed instructions for using MOVES and has been 

updated for MOVES2010b. 

•	 “Policy Guidance on the Use of MOVES2010 (and Subsequent Minor Revisions) for 

State Implementation Plan Development, Transportation Conformity, and Other Purposes: Revision to April 2012 EPA Guidance” (available at 

www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm#models) describes how and when 

to use MOVES2010b for SIP development, transportation conformity, general conformity, and other purposes. 

•	 “Using MOVES to Prepare Emission Inventories in State Implementation Plans and 

Transportation Conformity: Technical Guidance for MOVES2010, MOVES2010a and 

MOVES2010b” (available at 

www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm#models) provides guidance on 

creating a RunSpec and adding local data using the County Data Manager for SIPs and 

regional transportation conformity analyses. 

•	 “Transportation Conformity Guidance for Quantitative Hot-spot Analyses in PM2.5 and 

PM10 Nonattainment and Maintenance Areas” (available at 

www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm) provides guidance on using 

MOVES for quantitative PM10 and PM2.5 hot-spot analysis for transportation projects. 

•	 “Using MOVES in Project-Level Carbon Monoxide Analysis” (available at 

www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/transconf/policy.htm) describes how to use MOVES to 

model CO emissions from transportation projects. 

•	 “Using MOVES for Estimating State and Local Inventories of On-Road Greenhouse Gas 

Emissions and Energy Consumption – Final” (available at 

www.epa.gov/otaq/stateresources/ghgtravel.htm) describes how to use MOVES to estimate GHG emissions and/or energy consumption from on-road vehicles in a state or 

metropolitan area. 

If you have technical questions about MOVES2010b, please contact the MOVES team at 

mobile@epa.gov. If you have SIP policy questions, please contact Rudy Kapichak 

(kapichak.rudolph@epa.gov), and for conformity questions, contact Meg Patulski 

(patulski.meg@epa.gov).
Appendix A

Table A-1. Changes from MOVES2010a to MOVES2010b1

Change from MOVES2010a to MOVES2010b Implication

1) Allows multiple workers on an individual 

computer. Addition of debugging features and 

improvements in error recovery during network 

interruptions

Potential for performance improvements in some use cases. 

Debugging and error recovery features make network 

operation more efficient.

2) Additional error checks added to County Data 

Manager (CDM) and Project Data Manager (PDM) 

Prevents run failures due to conflicts between RunSpec 

parameters and user data

3) Alternative Vehicle and Fuel Technologies 

(AVFT) moved from “Strategies” panel to CDM 

and PDM

Data entry now consistent with other user inputs. Takes 

advantage of CDM and PDM error checks. May require 

modification to previous Run Specs. We have created 

converters that easily convert those RunSpecs and databases 

to MOVES2010b format.

4) Custom domain improvements allow users to 

define separate zones, with separate vehicle miles 

traveled (VMT) and some other activity inputs for 

each zone and Source Code Classification (SCC) 

output available 

Reduces the number of runs needed and increases 

functionality. Multi-county custom domain with individual 

counties defined as separate zones now possible. Emission 

results can be produced separately for each zone. SCC 

output option now fully functional in custom domain runs.

5) Added functionality to Emission Rates option: 

- Refueling emissions added to RatePerDistance 

and RatePerVehicle tables and 

-Improved calculation of extended idle emissions in 

SCC output

Allows calculation of refueling emissions and improved SCC 

output for extended idle in rates mode

RunSpec options that are not applicable for emission rates 

calculation are now grayed-out in the graphical user interface 

(GUI) 

6) Added nitrous acid (HONO) and split 

naphthalene into gaseous and particulate fractions 

Enhanced output for air quality modeling

7) Uses newer versions of Java (version 1.7.0) and 

MySQL (version 5.5.12)

Installation Suite installs the correct versions and users may 

retain or delete previous versions. Takes advantage of new 

functions of updated software

8) New fuel fields, T50 and T90, which are more 

detailed measures of fuel volatility, added to default 

fuel formulation tables

These fields allow for more detailed modeling of specific 

fuel effects for users who need this capability. Most users 

will not need to change fuel specifications in MOVES, but 

existing user input databases created with previous version of 

MOVES will need to be converted. We have created 

converters that easily convert those RunSpecs and databases 

to MOVES2010b format.

9) Added new counties in Alaska and Colorado that 

were created after 2000

Allows MOVES to keep pace with current county 

boundaries. No default data are available for these counties; 

thus they are not included in national scale runs.

10) Included all Mobile Source Air Toxic (MSAT) 

pollutants previously available in the National 

Mobile Inventory Model (NMIM) 

Maintains functionality for National Emission Inventory 

(NEI) and air quality modeling previously available. See 

Table A-2 for pollutant list.

 

1 For a description of the changes between MOVES2010 and MOVES2010a, please see “EPA Releases 

MOVES2010a Mobile Source Emissions Model Update, Questions and Answers,” EPA-420-F-10-050, August 

2010. www.epa.gov/otaq/models/moves/MOVES2010a/420f10050.pdf
Table A-2. Mobile Source Air Toxic Pollutants Added to MOVES2010b 

MOVES PollutantID Pollutant Name

40 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane

41 Ethyl Benzene

42 Hexane

43 Propionaldehyde

44 Styrene

45 Toluene

46 Xylene

60 Mercury Elemental Gaseous

61 Mercury Divalent Gaseous

62 Mercury Particulate

63 Arsenic Compounds

64 Chromium 3+

65 Chromium 6+

66 Manganese Compounds

67 Nickel Compounds

68 Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene particle

69 Fluoranthene particle

70 Acenaphthene particle

71 Acenaphthylene particle

72 Anthracene particle

73 Benz(a)anthracene particle

74 Benzo(a)pyrene particle
MOVES PollutantID Pollutant Name

75 Benzo(b)fluoranthene particle

76 Benzo(g,h,i)perylene particle

77 Benzo(k)fluoranthene particle

78 Chrysene particle

81 Fluorene particle

82 Indeno(1,2,3,c,d)pyrene particle

83 Phenanthrene particle

84 Pyrene particle

130 1,2,3,7,8,9-Hexachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin

131 Octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

132 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-Heptachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin

133 Octachlorodibenzofuran

134 1,2,3,4,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin

135 1,2,3,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin

136 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzofuran

137 1,2,3,4,7,8,9-Heptachlorodibenzofuran

138 2,3,4,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran

139 1,2,3,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran

140 1,2,3,6,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzofuran

141 1,2,3,6,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin

142 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin

143 2,3,4,6,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzofuran

144 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-Heptachlorodibenzofuran

145 1,2,3,4,7,8-Hexachlorodibenzofuran
MOVES PollutantID Pollutant Name

146 1,2,3,7,8,9-Hexachlorodibenzofuran

168 Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene gas

169 Fluoranthene gas

170 Acenaphthene gas

171 Acenaphthylene gas

172 Anthracene gas

173 Benz(a)anthracene gas

174 Benzo(a)pyrene gas

175 Benzo(b)fluoranthene gas

176 Benzo(g,h,i)perylene gas

177 Benzo(k)fluoranthene gas

178 Chrysene gas

181 Fluorene gas

182 Indeno(1,2,3,c,d)pyrene gas

183 Phenanthrene gas

184 Pyrene gas

185 Naphthalene gas