Static vs Dynamic Polution Impacts from Transit
An interesting editorial from DallasNews.com, discussing the varying impacts of transit on pollution. The Dallas transit board recently released a report that a new regionwide system wouldn't reduce air pollution. The argument is that while some cars will get off the road, more cars will replace them (and those cars will be driving faster). Plus, there are added emissions from the power plants creating the electricity for the train.
While that may be the case, the Dallas editors note, the real impact is one of sustainable development - people will move closer to transit stations and, therefore, spend less time on the road.
What they're describing is the necessity to look at transit systems for their holistic benefits. If you simply analyze the impact of one train system on air pollution, the results will be minimal at best. But what transit does is let a region re-structure itself in a more sustainable fashion, something that rarely occurs when you build more highways and roads.
Post Author:
amg | 10:45 AM |
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