Thames air quality research
As air quality in cities worldwide, and the ticking time bomb it could represent for public health, rises to the top of many news agendas, the Port of London Authority (PLA) in the UK is working with the Mayor of London and Transport for London on new research to help it develop an Air Quality Strategy for the tidal Thames.
Operators working on the research include Cory Riverside Energy, Thames Shipping and MBNA Thames Clippers. A document just published by the PLA sets out the main areas of the air quality research programme:
* Shore side power feasibility assessment – will consider the feasibility and environmental benefits of installation of shore power at specific sites
* Comparable journey emissions monitoring – gathering data on typical regular river borne journeys of passengers and cargo, to compare to the number of vehicles used, and routes needed, to make the same journey through London’s road network.
* Emissions inventory – creating the first port wide air inventory for the Thames
The PLA’s air quality strategy development work is complemented by the UK’s first port charges discount for cleaner cargo ships. Introduced on 1 January, more than 20 visiting ships a month are qualifying for the lower charges.
Read the document on line at: http://www.pla.co.uk/assets/airqualitybookfinal.pdf
By Jake Frith
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