Railroads and Air Pollution : A Perspective

PDFTech ReportDOT-TSC-FRA-72-14FRA-RT-73-33Air pollutionAir qualityDiesel electric locomotivesEnvironmental impact analysisExhaust gasesLegislationPollution controlRailroadsSmokeSt. Louis (Missouri)United States. Federal Railroad AdministrationSturm, Joseph C.John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, (U.S.)United States. Federal Railroad AdministrationAGR-IMPACTS-IMPACTSAGR-IMPACTS-EnvironmentNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Rail Energy and EnvironmentNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Air QualityNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-RAIL TRANSPORTATIONNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-Rail Energy and EnvironmentVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterA review of existing air pollution control legislation is presented with emphasis on legislation affecting the rail industry. Locomotive exhaust emissions, especially smoke, are receiving the bulk of attention from control agencies and the general public. Railroad emissions and emission sources are identified. Railroad exhaust emissions are estimated for the nation and for a region (St. Louis, Missouri). Transportation modes are compared for fuel consumption per unit work performed and for the emissions associated with consuming that fuel. Recommendations include the environmental impact analysis of diesel-electric locomotive exhaust emissions on the air quality of St. Louis, Missouri, and the comparison of transportation modes based on emissions per unit work performed, grams pollutant emitted per 1000 ton-mile freight moved for line haul and grams pollutant emitted per 1000-ton freight throughput for terminals