Recent about poor air quality at Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station probably came as no surprise for passengers who have experienced such conditions.
Authors
Magnus Moglia
Associate Professor in Systems Science and Sustainable Urbanism, Swinburne University of Technology
Christian A. Nygaard
Professor in Social Economics and Urban Studies, Swinburne University of Technology
Hadi Ghaderi
Associate Professor in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Swinburne University of Technology
Hussein Dia
Professor of Future Urban Mobility, Swinburne University of Technology
Train platforms, bus terminal and nearby areas have recorded alarmingly poor air quality. In some parts of the station, nitrogen dioxide levels were more than 90 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) . At such levels, considered much , human .
Poor air quality in train stations is a concern in many major cities, including , in the US, and and in the UK. In some Sydney stations and tunnels, air pollution was than the WHO’s recommended limit.
Poor air quality is a result of fumes from diesel engines, restricted airflow, station design and the wear of train components. These emissions include tiny airborne particles. This fine particulate matter can . Passengers, workers and nearby residents may all be affected.
Solutions already exist. Investing in technology, alternative fuels, electrification and better management of stations can improve air quality and reduce the health risks. As with COVID, people can also by wearing , such as masks.
It’s a worldwide problem
International studies show poor air quality is common in enclosed train and bus stations. Data for most stations from many cities show levels of fine particulate matter exceeded .
In Sao Paolo, Brazil, “time spent inside a bus terminal can result in an intolerable health risk for commuters”.
A identified much higherpollution levels of pollutants in and around diesel trains than for electric trains. Inside the diesel trains, levels of ultrafine particulate matter were 35 times higher, black carbon six times higher, nitrogen oxides (NOx) eight times higher, PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, so they can enter the bloodstream) twice as high and benzo(a)pyrene six times higher.
But aren’t trains a more sustainable form of transport?
In terms of sustainability and general urban , trains help reduce emissions and air pollution when compared to in Australia. Trains transport people more efficiently, with a much smaller land, energy and emissions .
The health impacts of air pollution are usually for train commuters than those who commute by car. However, the impacts on train commuters depend on (diesel or electric) and the extent of their exposure to highly polluted air in enclosed and underground stations.
What can be done to improve air quality?
Rail operators can do many things to help passengers breath more easily. These involve both trains and station management.
Train-side interventions include the use of cleaner fuels, more efficient engines and filtering systems, and shifting from diesel to electric trains.
Station-side solutions include exhaust fans, station design and real-time monitoring of air quality. Optimising schedules and operations can reduce train engine idling time. Loading and unloading facilities can be relocated away from congested areas.
Alternative fuels
Train operators have , typically blended with mineral diesel. Biodiesel and renewable diesel are made from renewable resources and burn cleaner. Biofuels can cut greenhouse gas emissions .
Biodiesel costs as mineral diesel, but renewable diesel costs more.
Technology fixes
Exhaust after-treatment systems on diesel engines are a low-cost option. Filters can capture most soot particles. technology uses a chemical reaction to reduce .
Improving ventilation and air flow within stations can also help .
Another option is diesel-hybrid . Electric traction modules and energy-storage systems recover energy when the train brakes and store it in a battery for later use.
These systems can operate the train when the diesel engines are shut down, for example during boarding. Energy savings can be .
The South Australian government has with these systems. They can cut fuel use by up to 20% and carbon dioxide emissions by 2,400 tonnes a year on the Adelaide Metro.
Electrification
Electric trains produce much less air pollution – around per passenger kilometre.
Being lighter and more efficient, electric trains are also cheaper to make, maintain and run than diesel trains (with average savings of respectively).
Cleaner air saves lives
Estimating health impacts in Australia is difficult due to limited data, but international evidence provides guidance.
Compared to travel on roads, commuters on trains and metros typically have less exposure to air pollution, except for . Long-term exposure to black carbon mortality rates even at low levels of ambient air pollution.
At exposure levels close to what is in cities, excess lifetime lung cancer mortality is 0.3 per 1,000. For train staff, estimates black-carbon exposure results in an extra 16 lung cancer deaths per 1,000 individuals over a lifetime (assuming an eight-hour working day). For working conditions over ten years, a six-fold increase in black carbon lifts this rate to 1.9 per 1,000. A ten-fold increase takes it to .
Short-term exposure to high air pollution is also linked to .
Leadership is needed to protect people and the planet
Some solutions are easy to apply immediately. Others require planning and foresight.
The impacts on rail costs and operations should be balanced against the importance of protecting the health of commuters and staff, as well as cutting emissions.
Active monitoring and transparent reporting of air quality promote public trust. They’re also needed to assess the effectiveness of solutions.
Shifting towards a cleaner rail system is an opportunity for operators and regulators to show vision and leadership by supporting trains as one of the best alternatives to cars and trucks.
Magnus Moglia receives funding from the iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre, Transport for New South Wales, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Sydney Water, Sustainability Victoria, AHURI, and ACIAR. He is affiliated with Regen Melbourne.
Christian A. Nygaard receives funding from the iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre, Transport for New South Wales, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Sustainability Victoria, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, and the Community Housing Industry Association
Hadi Ghaderi receives funding from the iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, Transport for New South Wales, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, IVECO Trucks Australia limited, Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre, Victoria Department of Education and Training, Bondi Laboratories, Australian Meat Processor Corporation, MotorOne Group, 460degrees and Passel.
Hussein Dia receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre, Transport for New South Wales, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, and Beam Mobility Holdings.
For this article, Hussein acknowledges the input of Mr Ali Matin, PhD candidate from Swinburne University of Technology, for the work he completed in collating the data and development of diagrams and visuals.
