(no subject)
how new york city is addressing the issue of air pollution: case study of the MTA
New York has a reputation for being a dirty city, polluted and overcrowded. In particular, New York's transit system (especially the subways) was thought to be inefficient, energy-consuming and polluting. However, in recent years, this reputation has been proved false. The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has been taking steps to improve the air quality and amount of energy consumption since 1997, incorporating new technologies to improve the environmental impact of New York's public transportation system. In this section, I will discuss the MTA's steps toward a more sustainable, cleaner air program as a case study within New York's response to air quality needs.
The MTA has had problems with pollution - it wasn't until 1997 that the idea of cleaner fuel buses was announced and not until 2000 that all buses run on diesel fuel were replaced. Subways running all hours of the day and all days of the year lost energy from operating, requiring more energy generated from non-renewable, carbon-emitting sources like fossil fuels.
1. ISO 14001: definition, mta's position with it
2. define problems with new york's air quality -
----carbon dioxide emissions from: (power plants) (cars) (diesel vehicles)
----particulates and carcinogens
3. policies concerning air quality:
----2005: clean vehicles: solid waste management, school transport, sight seeing, public transport. vehicles under a weight limit (8500) purchased must be alternative fuel vehicles. (NYCCOUNCIL)
--------the mta replaced all diesel buses by 2000, contributing greatly to the quality of urban air
----electricity generation
--------mta saving electricity through: new trains (regenerative braking, aluminum rail, HVAC airconditioning), hybrid buses, facilities using solar (stillwell av/coney island, new corona washer and maintenance facility), fuel cells, lighting in stations.
4. current plan to address issues:
----PlaNYC, air quality policies, energy sources, water conservation/cleaning
5. effectiveness of current response
New York has a reputation for being a dirty city, polluted and overcrowded. In particular, New York's transit system (especially the subways) was thought to be inefficient, energy-consuming and polluting. However, in recent years, this reputation has been proved false. The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has been taking steps to improve the air quality and amount of energy consumption since 1997, incorporating new technologies to improve the environmental impact of New York's public transportation system. In this section, I will discuss the MTA's steps toward a more sustainable, cleaner air program as a case study within New York's response to air quality needs.
The MTA has had problems with pollution - it wasn't until 1997 that the idea of cleaner fuel buses was announced and not until 2000 that all buses run on diesel fuel were replaced. Subways running all hours of the day and all days of the year lost energy from operating, requiring more energy generated from non-renewable, carbon-emitting sources like fossil fuels.
1. ISO 14001: definition, mta's position with it
2. define problems with new york's air quality -
----carbon dioxide emissions from: (power plants) (cars) (diesel vehicles)
----particulates and carcinogens
3. policies concerning air quality:
----2005: clean vehicles: solid waste management, school transport, sight seeing, public transport. vehicles under a weight limit (8500) purchased must be alternative fuel vehicles. (NYCCOUNCIL)
--------the mta replaced all diesel buses by 2000, contributing greatly to the quality of urban air
----electricity generation
--------mta saving electricity through: new trains (regenerative braking, aluminum rail, HVAC airconditioning), hybrid buses, facilities using solar (stillwell av/coney island, new corona washer and maintenance facility), fuel cells, lighting in stations.
4. current plan to address issues:
----PlaNYC, air quality policies, energy sources, water conservation/cleaning
5. effectiveness of current response