Helping industry to improve air quality today
From stations to trains, we're driving real improvements in rail air quality.
Philbert Chan Air Quality Lead, Sustainable Development, RSSB
We know that electrification of the GB rail network, and the replacement of polluting diesel trains with electric or bi-mode trains, will improve air quality. But current budgets and funding mean that these will not happen across the country for many years. This doesn’t mean that all action to improve air quality must be delayed—far from it. We are already supporting the industry with measures that can be implemented today.
The Air Quality Monitoring Network (AQMN) is a critical part of our strategy to improve air quality. Funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), this network has been collecting data for over 3 years. This has given new insights into pollution levels. For example, some stations have much higher levels of air pollution than the streets outside them. The AQMN’s annual report will be published in the near future.
Train operating companies (TOCs) and Network Rail (NR) are required by the DfT to produce Air Quality Improvement Plans (AQIPs). These show what they will do to improve air quality at some of their managed stations where AQMN data has identified an issue. We have provided guidance for the industry to produce these AQIPs. A workshop has also been delivered to TOCs and for all NR regions to help with the process. Data from the AQMN have been used in the AQIPs produced. Such data provides valuable insight, such as location of hotspots and sources of pollution.
The majority of the AQIPs are now complete. The next step is to consider the effectiveness of the measures proposed and if more will be needed. We have created a framework to undertake this process. Inputs and comments have been received from the DfT, Office of Rail and Road (ORR), NR, and the Air Quality Working Group. The framework will be shared with all rail stakeholders and shows how we are leading efforts to reduce pollution.
Actions to improve air quality will very often help with other issues, too. So, we are also doing work to help industry in these areas.
Idling inside stations is one of the biggest causes of pollution. Idling noise can annoy our neighbours as well. Reducing idling will also help save fuel and reduce carbon emission. However, reducing idling is not straightforward. Some idling must happen for a variety of reasons, like keeping carriages warm. Despite this, there are opportunities to reduce idling when it is not essential and improve air quality at stations. Our good practice guidance about train idling will be here to help in mid-2025.
The use of alternative fuels is a potential way to reduce both pollutant and carbon emissions. There are several options. Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), ammonia, renewable fuel of non-biological origin, and hydrogen are some examples. We are conducting a research project to provide a clear summary of these fuels. This will include the overall sustainability and availability of each fuel, as well as the latest policies around them. We will look at their potential impact on pollutant emissions, too.
We’re also researching emissions when an alternative fuel is used in place of diesel. Our tests will determine what emissions reduction can be achieved by using HVO. At the same time, we will test the emissions from these engines after they have been operating for decades. This will help us understand how the emissions from such engines have changed over time.
Good air quality is not only important in stations, but onboard trains too. We started to look at this issue in 2021, monitoring air quality onboard a range of diesel trains. A new project, which is currently being specified, will extend monitoring to other rolling stock, such as electric trains and new diesel and bi-mode trains. This will enable us to make a comprehensive assessment of air quality onboard the most common rolling stock in the UK.
If you need help to manage and improve air quality, get in touch. There are many ways we can help.
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