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Target 6: Air Quality
Improve Air Quality toward Attainment of Federal Standards
Although Philadelphia’s air quality is better than many of our peer cities, Greenworks Philadelphia seeks to protect the health of Philadelphia residents by reducing the number of days that the Air Quality Index is “unhealthy,” while also decreasing the city’s Ozone and fine particulate matter levels so that they meet new, stricter federal standards. To do this, the City will continue its work to reduce street congestion, improve the exhaust of its diesel fleet, and switch to cleaner fuel sources such as biodiesel and compressed natural gas. The Port of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia International Airport will also take steps to reduce emissions from their operations.
Although Philadelphia’s air quality is better than many of our peer cities, Greenworks Philadelphia seeks to protect the health of Philadelphia residents by reducing the number of days that the Air Quality Index is “unhealthy,” while also decreasing the city’s Ozone and fine particulate matter levels so that they meet new, stricter federal standards. To do this, the City will continue its work to reduce street congestion, improve the exhaust of its diesel fleet, and switch to cleaner fuel sources such as biodiesel and compressed natural gas. The Port of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia International Airport will also take steps to reduce emissions from their operations.
Retrofit Diesel Vehicles
Diesel engines are a major contributor to air pollution in Philadelphia. Unfortunately 70 percent of the City’s fleet has diesel engines, including sanitation trucks and fire equipment. Using funds it received from a lawsuit between Sunoco and the Environmental Protection Agency, the City’s Air Management Services has been working with the Office of Fleet Management to place filters and diesel oxidation catalyst equipment on its diesel fleet. Two hundred vehicles have already been serviced. The goal is to complete this process by 2011.
Diesel engines are a major contributor to air pollution in Philadelphia. Unfortunately 70 percent of the City’s fleet has diesel engines, including sanitation trucks and fire equipment. Using funds it received from a lawsuit between Sunoco and the Environmental Protection Agency, the City’s Air Management Services has been working with the Office of Fleet Management to place filters and diesel oxidation catalyst equipment on its diesel fleet. Two hundred vehicles have already been serviced. The goal is to complete this process by 2011.
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Purchase Hybrid Diesel Buses
Using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and other federal sources, SEPTA will buy 440 hybrid diesel buses over the next three years, replacing 60 percent of its fleet. Although hybrids cost $160,000 more per bus, their maintenance and fueling costs are lower and they create up to 50 percent less pollution. SEPTA will also install ceramic filters on the diesel buses that won’t be initially replaced.
Using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and other federal sources, SEPTA will buy 440 hybrid diesel buses over the next three years, replacing 60 percent of its fleet. Although hybrids cost $160,000 more per bus, their maintenance and fueling costs are lower and they create up to 50 percent less pollution. SEPTA will also install ceramic filters on the diesel buses that won’t be initially replaced.
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Congestion Reduction
Idling trucks and gridlock contribute to pollution. The Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU) has developed a plan to reduce congestion in Center City. In May, the MOTU, Air Management Services, the Philadelphia Parking Authority and the Philadelphia Police Department began to increase enforcement of double-parking and idling laws, especially involving delivery trucks.
Idling trucks and gridlock contribute to pollution. The Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU) has developed a plan to reduce congestion in Center City. In May, the MOTU, Air Management Services, the Philadelphia Parking Authority and the Philadelphia Police Department began to increase enforcement of double-parking and idling laws, especially involving delivery trucks.
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