PM_2.5 and NOX concentrations decrease as a result of a railway electrification

This work examines the impact of the electrification of the Holon-Bat Yam passenger train line (central Israel) on air pollutant concentrations using data collected from air quality monitoring stations that operated at the train stations across the electrified train line. We present statistically significant reduction in the annual average NO₂, NO and NO_X concentrations (29–45%, 79–85% and 65–75%, respectively), attributed to the electrification of the passenger train line. The drop in the NO and NO_X concentrations was much stronger than in the NO₂ concentrations, since NO is the main nitrogen species emitted by diesel locomotives. PM_2.5 concentrations also significantly decreased, but only in two (out of the three) train stations situated along the electrified line. Following various analyses, we conclude that electrification of train lines reduces train locomotive emissions and improves the air quality at the stations, as expected, thus protecting the passengers and reducing their exposure to air pollutants. Although this study presents a specific case, the findings are expected to be applicable, at least quantitatively, to other locations, as railway electrification removes emissions associated with fossil-fuel-powered locomotives. This work supports railway electrification policy, which has the potential to substantially lower air pollution levels and diminish the passengers’ exposure to harmful air pollutants.