3 research outputs found
Air Quality and Climate Impacts of Alternative Bus Technologies in Greater London
The environmental impact of diesel-fueled
buses can potentially
be reduced by the adoption of alternative propulsion technologies
such as lean-burn compressed natural gas (LB-CNG) or hybrid electric
buses (HEB), and emissions control strategies such as a continuously
regenerating trap (CRT), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), or selective
catalytic reduction with trap (SCRT). This study assessed the environmental
costs and benefits of these bus technologies in Greater London relative
to the existing fleet and characterized emissions changes due to alternative
technologies. We found a >30% increase in CO<sub>2</sub> equivalent
(CO<sub>2</sub>e) emissions for CNG buses, a <5% change for exhaust
treatment scenarios, and a 13% (90% confidence interval 3.8–20.9%)
reduction for HEB relative to baseline CO<sub>2</sub>e emissions.
A multiscale regional chemistry-transport model quantified the impact
of alternative bus technologies on air quality, which was then related
to premature mortality risk. We found the largest decrease in population
exposure (about 83%) to particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) occurred
with LB-CNG buses. Monetized environmental and investment costs relative
to the baseline gave estimated net present cost of LB-CNG or HEB conversion
to be 73 million to 36 million (102 million), respectively, while EGR or SCRT estimated
net present costs were 7 million to 15 million (23 million), respectively
Air quality evaluation of London Paddington train station
This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from IOP via http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/10/9/094012Enclosed railway stations hosting diesel trains are at risk of reduced air quality as a result of exhaust emissions that may endanger passengers and workers. Air quality measurements were conducted inside London Paddington Station, a semi-enclosed railway station where 70% of trains are powered by diesel engines. Particulate matter (PM2.5) mass was measured at five station locations. PM size, PM number, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were measured at two station locations. Paddington Station?s hourly mean PM2.5 mass concentrations averaged 16 ?g/m3 [min 2, max 68]. Paddington Station?s hourly mean NO2 concentrations averaged 73 ppb [49, 120] and SO2 concentrations averaged 25 ppb [15, 37]. While UK train stations are not required to comply with air quality standards, there were five instances where the hourly mean NO2 concentrations exceeded the EU hourly mean limits (106 ppb) for outdoor air quality. PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 concentrations were compared against Marylebone, a busy London roadside 1.5 km from the station. The comparisons indicated that train station air quality was more polluted than the nearby roadside. PM2.5 for at least one measurement location within Paddington Station was shown to be statistically higher (P-value < 0.05) than Marylebone on 3 out of 4 days. Measured NO2 within Paddington Station was statistically higher than Marylebone on 4 out of 5 days. Measured SO2 within Paddington Station was statistically higher than Marylebone on all 3 days.We thank the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/F034350/1) for funding the Energy Efficient Cities Initiative and the Schiff Foundation for doctoral studentship funding