Air Quality Conformity and Resiliency Planning

The Office of Air Quality Conformity and Resiliency Planning (AQCRP) advances the Department’s objective of enhancing the resiliency and protection of the State’s multimodal critical transportation infrastructure. AQCRP assesses the impacts of environmental and other stressors, such as manmade and physical attacks, cybersecurity threats, and power outages/loss. It leads the development of guidance and tools to support Caltrans Districts in implementing strategies for durable and adaptable transportation infrastructure and incorporation of resiliency considerations into all planning processes.

Additionally, AQCRP is the Department’s lead technical advisor on air quality conformity policy and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) assignment, providing both regional and project-level assistance to the districts, and to the Divisions of Environmental Analysis (DEA), Local Assistance, and Programming. AQCRP consults and coordinates with local, state, and federal stakeholders to carry out air quality and infrastructure resiliency planning activities statewide.

Air Quality Conformity Branch

The Air Quality Conformity (AQC) Branch is responsible for ensuring statewide compliance with federal transportation conformity regulations, which help ensure that Transportation Regional Plans (RTP), Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP), and projects meet air quality conformity requirements. Their main tasks include conducting mandatory quality-assurance reviews of RTPS, TIPS, and project-level submissions. Without these reviews, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) cannot grant final approval.

The AQC Branch also serves as a team of subject matter experts, offering technical assistance to various districts, project consultants, local transportation agencies, leading interagency consultations, and providing specialized training. This training helps navigate complex requirements, such as Particulate Matter (PM) hot-spot analyses and requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) assignment.

For more information, visit the Air Quality Conformity Branch webpage.

Resiliency Planning Branch (Manmade Events)

The Readiness Planning Branch (Manmade Events) focuses on identifying and addressing risks to the state highwat system from human-caused disruptions and non-climate hazards. This includes evaluating vulnerabilities and identifying mitigations to events such as physical attacks, cyber threats, and power outages that can impact transportation infrastructure. By integrating these considerations into transportation planning and project development, the Branch supports a more resilient, secure, and reliable transportation network in the face of an increasingly complex risk environment.

For more information, visit the Resiliency Planning Branch (Manmade Events) webpage.

Resiliency Planning Branch (Climate related Events)

The Resiliency Planning Branch plays a critical role in advancing climate resilience across California's transportation system, working collaboratively with the twelve Caltrans district offices to integrate resilience into planning and project development. Formally known as the Climate Change Branch, the Branch partners with regional, state, and federal agencies to assess and address risks from climate stressors such as sea level rise, extreme heat, wildfires, flooding, and landslides.

The Branch is responsible for developing and maintaining key tools, guidance, and assessments, including statewide climate vulnerability assessments and risk analysis methodologies. It provides technical assistance, policy guidance, and training to support districts and partners in identifying vulnerabilities and prioritizing resilience investments. Through coordination with internal and external stakeholders, the Branch helps ensure that transportation projects and plans align with state and federal requirements while strengthening the safety, reliability, and long-term adaptability of California's transportation network.

For more information, visit the Resiliency Planning Branch (Climate Related Events) webpage.