The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) is helping the rail industry improve air quality across Britain’s railways. Issues around climate change, sustainability and air quality are still hot topics following the conclusion of the recent COP26 climate conference.
RSSB launched the Stations Air Quality Monitoring Network (AQMN) earlier this year. AQMN is a £4.5m programmed funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and is the rail industry’s first ambitious attempt to better report on air quality at stations.
RSSB’s independent analysis of AQMN data will aid in the monitoring of air quality hotspots across the rail network. The rail industry will be able to act upon this information collaboratively and make effective decisions on where ‘air quality improvement plans’ are required. This is in accordance with the DfT’s Rail Environment Policy Statement (REPS).
Diffusion tubes are currently being deployed at over 100 stations in England and Wales. This is the first of a three-stage equipment installation process. Reference monitors and low-cost sensors will be deployed in phases over the next two years.