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Diesel Emissions. Emissions Task Force. Divided into 6 sub groups Locomotive Group Car Group Ventilation Group Fuel Group Emissions Testing Group Funding Group. Metra's Testing Timeline. 3 Phases Phase 1 – Rail cars Phase 2 – Station Platforms
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Emissions Task Force • Divided into 6 sub groups • Locomotive Group • Car Group • Ventilation Group • Fuel Group • Emissions Testing Group • Funding Group
Metra's Testing Timeline • 3 Phases • Phase 1 – Rail cars • Phase 2 – Station Platforms • Phase 3 – Engineer locomotive cabs, cab cars, and shops
Phase 1 – Rail Cars • Three sampling sites per train, first two cars after engine and rear cab car • Testing runs already completed on Rock Island, Burlington Northern, Milwaukee District, and Union Pacific as of this week.
Diesel Exhaust Components • Particulate matter • Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons • Carbon (elemental and organic) • Aldehydes • Benzene • Carbon monoxide • Nitric Oxide • Nitrogen Dioxide • Sulfur Dioxide
Metra's Testing Protocol • Direct read instruments • Provides real time data collection • Sampling for Total Particulate, PM 2.5, Carbon, Carbon Monoxide, Nitric Oxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Sulfur Dioxide • Includes same aethalometer used in Tribune article
Metra's Testing Protocol • Active sampling instruments • Provides laboratory analytical results • Sampling for Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Benzene Vapors and Carbon
Metra's Testing Protocol • Metra Locomotive Tiers • Unregulated • Tier 0 • Tier 0+ • Tier 1
Relevant Regulatory Agencies • EPA – Environmental Protection Agency • Establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards • Establishes Locomotive Standards
Relevant Regulatory Agencies • OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration • Deals with occupational exposure and establishes permissible exposure limits for employees
Relevant Regulatory Agencies • No exposure guidelines for elemental carbon or black soot have been established for the general public (Metra's ridership)
Metra In-House Committees • All Groups have had a committee meeting • Emissions Testing Group • Established no regulatory agency has a threshold for carbon 2.5 or nano-particles and therefore has no level established • Asking group to come up with recommendation based on a study or guideline
Metra In-House Committees • Locomotive Group • Exhaust after treatment (Doc) • 25% particulate reduction on Tier 0, Tier 1, Tier 0+ • Engine changes to turbocharger and possible injectors
Metra In-House Committees • Car Group • Filters • Air intake on cars • Car pressurization • Ventilation design of older cars for future changes during rehabilitation
Metra In-House Committees • Ventilation Group • Working with Amtrak to discuss contracts and agreements with adjacent building owners for maintenance and operation at CUS • Procedures for shutting down equipment and using standby power at all locations
Metra In-House Committees • Fuel Group • Switching to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel (ULSD) April 1, 2011 • Has industry proven reduction in particulate of 8% • Fuel additives were discussed and not a verifiable reduction • Alternate fuels • Grants have recently been awarded to look at Bio-Diesel
Metra In-House Committees • Funding Group • Small allocation are only available which we will pursue • Metra’s needs are significant to reduce these emissions and will require a large capital investment
Phase 2 – Station Platforms • Air sampling completed at Chicago Union Station in July 2010 • Sampling to be performed at Ogilvie Transportation Center and LaSalle Street Station in January 2011
Phase 3 – Engineer Cab Cars • Plans to test engineer locomotive cab and cab cars after station platforms • Identify any engineer exposure during a work day • Test our shops and layover facilities