01206836

Component

http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/163903.aspx

Within the last 10 years, the scientific and environmental community has expressed concerns that the Earth’s temperature has increased more during this time than in other preceding decades due to increased levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Many predict that higher Earth temperatures will be inevitable in the future. Debate still continues in the scientific community, which casts doubts whether GHG is a key contributing factor to such concerns as temperature rise, as global research to that end has produced skeptical results. Related to this debate is the growing concern that carbon dioxide accumulation is the result of human activity versus natural processes. Most recent analysis methods now support evidence of GHG accumulation accelerated by human activity, which would affect climate change. Emerging policies are being developed that would contain methodologies organized to reduce GHG accumulation through monitoring systems performance. A brief overview on new methodologies to report GHG emissions through transit performance is mentioned as part of this paper. For the purposes of this paper, air emissions in general are discussed in analyzing light rail transit (LRT) use with air quality and climate change studies. Energy usage is also discussed in conjunction with emissions with the goals of demonstrating different strategies for emissions reductions and improving energy efficiency using LRT.

01206823

English

pp 104-118

2010-7

Transportation Research Circular

Joint International Light Rail Conference: Growth and Renewal

Web

References (15) ; Tables (1)

Air quality; Carbon dioxide; Climate change; Global warming; Greenhouse gases; Light rail transit; Policy

Emissions reduction; Energy efficiency

Environment; Policy; Public Transportation; Railroads; I15: Environment

TRIS, TRB

Oct 6 2010 2:42PM

• Adapting Established Safety Outreach to Light and Commuter Rail Systems
• Best Practices for the Effective Integration of Historic Trolley and Modern Urban Rail Transit Systems
• Bus Rapid Transit as a Precursor of Light Rail Transit?
• Civil Information Modeling and Building Information Modeling
• Comparative Performance of Los Angeles’ Transit Modes
• Development and Application of Structural Design Standards for Safety of Light Rail Cars and Streetcars
• Effect of Fuel Price Increases on U.S. Light Rail Ridership, 2002–2008: Results and Implications for Transit Operation and Policy
• Energy Efficiency of Light Rail Versus Motor Vehicles
• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Eastside Extension Light Rail Transit Project: Cultural Influence in Station Site Selection for the Boyle Heights–Mariachi Plaza Station
• Modifications to Light Rail Vehicles for Improved Compatibility in Collisions with Automobiles
• New Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority P2550 LRV: Energy-Saving Techniques
• Newark Light Rail Extension to Broad Street Station: Traffic and Transit Operations Interface Issues
• NJT–NLR Broad Street Extension: Experiences and Lessons Learned from NJT–NLR Rehabilitation of the Penn Station Loop Track and Main Line Special Track Work
• Noncontact Ultrasonic Guided-Wave Detection of Rail Defects
• Route 100: The Future in Motion
• Status of North American Light Rail Transit Systems: Year 2009 Update
• The Importance of Connecting Light Rail and Destinations
• The Role of Systems Planning in Light Rail Transit Success
• The Role of Transit in Mitigating Climate Change
• The Santa Ana and Garden Grove Streetcar Project Concept: Assessing the Viability, Exploring the Potential, and Evaluating the Feasibility
• Toward an Operating Doctrine for Shared-Use Railways
• Track Geometry for Light Rail Systems
• Transportation Overlay District in the Valley of the Sun