Discourse for all interested in all things air-quality related
In my last post I was pretty direct by suggesting, in effect, that American roadway infrastructure was heading in the wrong direction. As you know, roadways can only handle so many vehicles per given unit of time operating at a per given unit of speed. The proper term is “capacity.” Too little capacity and traffic flow becomes … Read more
With statements like: “Among all sectors, the transport sector is the only one in which emissions are continuing to increase in spite of all the technological advances. …The alarming performance of the transport sector is largely due to road traffic, which accounts for 73% of global transport emissions”1 “So far this year, 61 of America’s … Read more
It’s always heartening to learn when new measures are being implemented to reduce emissions. Such is the case with amendments in Canada to cut air pollution levels from vessels navigating Canadian waters. This is on top of other air-emissions-reduction actions already taken. “The amendments bring new requirements into force for vessels under Annex VI of … Read more
One would think, in America, based on ongoing conversation, significant strides have been made in the effort to save farmland from non-agriculture-related development. Case in point. To quote Jeff Turrentine from his “Neighborhood Watch” article, “Sprawl destroys the defining character of suburbs by conferring upon them many problems associated with urban areas: crime, congestion, paved-over … Read more
In 1989 two authors – Gary W. Dolzall and Mike Danneman – in their book “Steel Rails Across America” described the nation’s passenger railroad – Amtrak – thusly: “After a decade and a half of life, Amtrak stands on stable turf, freed of the annual budget reductions it suffered in the 1970s, and offering rail … Read more
The entire month of May in America is National Bike Month. It isn’t just about bikes. It’s about bicycling also. One great thing about bikes is they are non-air-polluting. What I also find remarkable is that on many of America’s 4 million roadway miles, bicyclist and motorist alike peacefully coexist. In fact, on some thoroughfares where there is just … Read more
First things, first. I would really like to know if there is such a thing as too much sprawl – suburban, exurban or otherwise? If the adage “everything in moderation” really rings true, then, yes, by definition, there could conceivably be too much sprawl. Question is: Has the sprawl demarcation line already been established though? … Read more
In “eMission control – Focus: Roadways,” I wrote: “When I think how air quality can be adversely affected by roadway use, in order for roadway users to get the most for their hard-earned dollars, the efficiency thereof is of prime importance. “Take the case of intersections with left-turn arrows. To me, it makes very little … Read more
If it were not for air pollution would there even be mass commercial production of the electric vehicle or EV? It is difficult to say. But being there is commercial mass EV production, there must also be charging infrastructure available with which to recharge vehicle batteries. Two conditions of batteries in EV applications is battery … Read more
In “CATS: ‘Contactless,’ energy-storage features give transit an edge,” I wrote: “First, with the creation of a ‘contactless,’ catenary-free system, not only is it now possible for electrical propulsion power to be provided to fixed-guideway transit networks minus the overhead electrical catenary infrastructure, but a system along these lines can also provide for a more … Read more