Protecting and Promoting Public Health - National Rail Strategy

Strategic Directions to 2015 Cont.

Objective: To promote positive health outcomes through the enhanced use of rail.

The 1999 inventory of rail emissions found that particulate matter emissions from rail are 3% of total vehicle emissions.

Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons emissions are 0.2% and 0.5% respectively of total vehicle emissions. Oxides of nitrogen emissions from rail are 10% of total vehicle emissions.

The NZTS seeks to improve the public health impacts of transport, and to promote shifts to transport modes with fewer negative impacts on health. Transport-related public health issues include vehicle emissions, water run-off, vehicle noise and vibration, and a lack of exercise associated with low levels of walking and cycling.

Vehicle emissions during peak periods in urban areas are the primary cause of land transport-related public health problems.

A 1999 inventory of air emissions commissioned by the Ministry of Transport (Impacts of Rail Transport on Local Air Quality) found that the majority of air emissions from rail occur in rural regions at relatively infrequent intervals, and the contribution made to urban emissions from rail is very low. As a result, reducing harmful emissions from road vehicles is a higher priority. However, managing the potential negative health impacts of rail emissions from areas of concentrated rail activity, such as rail yards, is also important.

Noise exposure from rail, including vibration, can also impact on community health and wellbeing (eg through sleep disturbance). The health impacts of noise from rail at the local level will also need to be assessed and managed.

Priority: Ensure the public health impacts of rail transport are incorporated into transport planning and decision-making

Transport choices can be influenced by policies that require transport users to take responsibility for the health costs imposed on society by their choice of transport mode.

As the public health impacts of pollution from rail are relatively small compared to roads, policies aimed at modal shift - from road to rail - are likely to make an effective contribution to improving transport-related public health outcomes. In particular, initiatives aimed at encouraging freight to transfer from road to rail, and greater use of passenger transport (including urban passenger rail services), relative to single occupancy car travel, may reduce overall transport-related health problems.

Journeys by passenger transport usually include a substantially greater walking component than private car use, and so contribute to public health through encouraging regular exercise. Where possible, development of passenger rail services should also encourage active transport modes such as walking and cycling. Examples are bike stands at stations and capacity for bikes on trains, and addressing barriers to access. The Ministry of Transport has released a walking and cycling strategy titled Getting There - on foot, by cycle, which proposes a strategic framework aimed at increasing walking and cycling in New Zealand.

In certain cases (subject to requirements to offer back to original owners) rail land no longer required for rail purposes could be made available for long distance walking and cycling networks. The Central Otago Rail Trail on the route of the Otago Central railway line is an example of where this has occurred following the closure of the line in 1990. In another case, in Christchurch, space for a cycle route has been found on a working rail corridor.

Electrification

Electrification can provide environmental and public health benefits, particularly in urban areas. At present the Wellington urban network is electrified to Paraparaumu and Upper Hutt using a 1.5 kV DC electric system. Extension of electrification to Waikanae is under consideration. The North Island Main Trunk line from Palmerston North to Hamilton is also electrified with a 25 kV AC system. A study of electrification of the Auckland urban network (from Britomart to Papakura on the North Island Main Trunk, and on the Western and Isthmus lines) is in progress. 

Key initiatives in protecting and promoting public health

Encourage modal shift within a sustainable development context

The Government is encouraging modal shift by: 

• providing funding support for the development of urban rail passenger services as part of the passenger transport network
• providing funding to upgrade and develop the national rail network to improve its ability to carry freight, where appropriate
• the LTMA requiring Land Transport New Zealand to allocate funding to take account of sustainability goals, including public health issues.

Investigate options for better incorporating public health costs and benefits into the pricing of the transport system

• The findings of the STCC study provide information as a basis for the Ministry of Transport to provide advice on future land transport charges. 

Investigate electrification of the Auckland urban rail network

• Depending on the outcome of the Auckland Electric Traction Evaluation Study, electrification of the Auckland urban rail network may be worthwhile, partly to reduce emissions from passenger trains in the region, particularly with the planned growth in service frequency.

Other Initiatives

Introduction of new standards for diesel fuel

• The Government has approved new fuel specifications that substantially reduce the level of sulphur in diesel fuel. The first stage was introduced in August 2004 and the second stage will be introduced in January 2006. These specifications will significantly reduce the level of particulates in diesel emissions, reducing the negative health effects from diesel locomotives.

The Government has approved new fuel specifications that substantially reduce the level of sulphur in diesel fuel. The first stage was introduced in August 2004 and the second stage will be introduced in January 2006. These specifications will significantly reduce the level of particulates in diesel emissions, reducing the negative health effects from diesel locomotives.

 

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• Media Release 

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