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RSSB Updates GB Rail's Air Quality Strategic Framework

Featured story30 May 2022
The GB Rail industry’s Air Quality Strategic Framework has been updated and can now document the progress made in the past year to enhance understanding of air quality across the rail network.

While the rail industry’s national contribution to air quality is low, it still has a key role to play in the wider air quality improvements already under way across society. This is primarily by reducing its own emissions footprint but also by providing a cleaner alternative to other transport modes.

Originally published in June 2020, the Air Quality Strategic Framework takes a robust, risk-based approach, setting out a series of recommendations to improve air quality, based around three key themes: monitoring, modelling, and mitigation.

Since the framework was launched, RSSB has helped the rail industry start initiatives and research projects, including:

  • a new air quality monitoring network covering 105 stations – a first for GB rail.
  • an online interactive emissions mapping tool to understand rail’s emission impact at a local level.
  • a detailed understanding of air quality onboard trains, with a new modelling approach to help understand potential mitigations.

Welcoming publication of the updated Air Quality Strategic Framework, RSSB’s Lead Air Quality Specialist, James Wright, said:

“RSSB and rail industry research is already helping to dramatically improve our understanding of air quality across the network. Monitoring equipment has been installed at more than one hundred stations and a detailed survey of air quality on board trains has been published.

“Building on the findings of this research, innovative solutions and technology are being developed to better protect public and worker health and ensure rail stays at the forefront of sustainable travel.”

Editors’ Notes

  1. The Air Quality Strategic Framework is available to read at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/sustainability/air-quality/air-quality-strategic-framework.
  2. RSSB is currently seeking feedback on the Sustainable Rail Strategy (SRS) Prototype, an initial version of the leadership plan which will shape an even cleaner and greener railway. The consultation, carried out on behalf of the Sustainable Rail Executive, is open until 15 July 2022. Feedback is sought from industry and sustainability experts on the prototype, its priorities, implementation, and effectiveness. You can view the SRS Prototype and consultation survey on the RSSB website at: https://www.rssb.co.uk/sustainability/sustainable-rail-strategy.
  3. If you have any questions about this news release, please call RSSB’s Press Office on 020 3142 5332 or email pressoffice@rssb.co.uk.