SHAPING THE NEW NORMAL: THE ROLE OF AIR QUALITY ON HUMAN ACTIVITIES FOR INFORMED DECISION MAKING

By

Lei Xu

Advisor(s):

Dr. John E. Taylor (CEE)

Committee Members:

Dr. Eric Marks (CEE), Dr. Iris Tien (CEE), Dr. Jennifer Kaiser (CEE, EAS), Dr. Clio Andris (CRP)

Date & Time: May 2nd 2023 at 1:00 pm

Location: (Hybrid) Mason M2119 and Zoom: https://gatech.zoom.us/j/92027836433?pwd=VDhJaDdTZ1BjNGFnY0k0RDJVVGk0QT09

Air pollution remains a complex global issue with severe societal and public health
consequences. Despite extensive efforts, air quality policies in the United States have achieved
limited success. The intricate relationship between human activities, transportation, and air
quality has prompted academic and governmental efforts to adopt information policies,
encouraging public involvement in transportation behavior changes and exploring the link
between air pollution exposure and disease transmission. The significant shifts in
transportation and public health, partly due to technological advancements and the COVID-19
pandemic, present an opportunity to investigate the influence of air quality and related policies
on these societal changes. In this dissertation, I examine the role of air quality in shaping the
"New Normal" by evaluating the impact of existing air quality policies on the adoption of
micromobility and analyzing the potential contribution of air pollution to the spread of COVID-
19. The first study explores the association between short-term air pollution exposure and
COVID-19 infection rates in the U.S., aiming to raise awareness and inform decision-making for
policymakers and the public. The second study assesses the effectiveness of air quality alerts
on micromobility usage, examining public behavioral responses and evaluating policy success.
The third study compares the spatiotemporal responses of micromobility and traditional driving
to air quality information, analyzing potential replacement effects between these two
transportation modes. Drawing from diverse fields such as air quality analytics, public policy,
and public health, this research offers valuable insights and supports decision-making in the pursuit of a sustainable future. Amidst unprecedented changes and the potential critical role of
air pollution in reshaping daily life, this dissertation contributes to ongoing efforts to address air
pollution and its complex societal implications.