Impact of railways on environment and health

Although train travel generally is better for the planet than car travel, railroads do present a host of serious environmental problems. Most of these effects are considered localized issues, although their impact certainly is not limited to a particular region. Clean, efficient railway transportation may be crucial in the effort to reduce greenhouse gases and fuel consumption, but until this is achieved worldwide, trains will continue to pose a threat to the environment. Greenhouse Gas Effects

The biggest environmental effect produced by trains is the amount of carbon dioxide they emit. The carbon footprint left by a train compared to an automobile really depends on how many passengers are using it. A train full of passengers, for example, leaves a significantly smaller carbon footprint per capita than a car with just one person. A half-empty train, on the other hand, will leave a larger carbon footprint than a four-passenger carpool. Trains vary greatly in efficiency as well.

Fuel Consumption

Although trains are by and large more fuel efficient than automobiles, they still consume a tremendous amount of non-renewable fuel each year. Diesel trains consume fuel based on stopping patterns, the speed or throttle at which they are traveling and even weight. High-speed trains consume more fuel than freight trains. Trains consume fuel not just when they are running; fuel also is required to construct and maintain them.

Disruption of Local Ecosystem

Trains can disrupt local ecosystems in irreparable ways. A railway traveling through a rural area can interrupt migration patterns, destroy habitat and even kill animals attempting to cross the tracks. Railways are often built with little or no consideration of the local flora and fauna and the effect that pollution and habitat destruction will have on ecosystems. Noise Pollution

Trains also produce a tremendous amount of noise, often reaching dangerously high decibel ranges. This can be stressful and irritating not only to human beings living near railways, but also to local wildlife. Prolonged exposure to the kind of loud noise produced by trains can cause permanent hearing loss in mammals, which in turn disrupts the delicate balance of predator and prey in nature.

IMPACT OF ROAD ON ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

The impact of roads include the local effects of highways (public roads) such as on noise, water pollution, habitat destruction/disturbance and local air quality; and the wider effects which may include climate change from vehicle emissions. Erosion during and after construction of roads, highways and bridges can contribute large amounts of sediment and silt to runoff waters, which can deteriorate water quality and lead to fish kills and other ecological problems. Heavy metals, oils, other toxic substances and debris from construction traffic and spillage can be absorbed by soil at construction sites and carried with runoff water to lakes, rivers and bays. Because of bad quality of roads there are more causes of road accidents. This has tremendously increased nowadays. Air quality .Air pollution from Motor vehicle emissions can occur wherever vehicles are used and are of particular concern in congested city street conditions and other low speed circumstances. Emissions include particulate emissions from diesel engines, NOx, volatile organic compounds, Carbon monoxide and various other hazardous air pollutants including benzene. Concentrations of air pollutants and adverse respiratory health effects are greater near the road than at some distance away from the road. Road dust kicked up by vehicles may trigger allergic reactions. Carbon dioxide is non-toxic to humans but is a major greenhouse gas and motor vehicle emissions are an important contributor to the growth of CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere and therefore to global warming. Effect On heath Air More specifically, a significant number of studies conclude that exposure to road pollution can aggravate asthma in children. Exposure to air pollution from road traffic has been linked to a number of other health issues including heart attack, coronary artery disease and increased risk of death from respiratory and cardiac conditions. Air pollution may worsen symptoms for people with existing heart and lung conditions. Although some evidence suggests associations with other health issues, including exacerbation of allergies and reproductive effects.

Noise Road noise can be a nuisance if it impinges on population centers, especially for roads at higher operating speeds, near intersections and on uphill sections. Road Traffic noise is one of the most widespread environmental problems with severe consequences for public health. According to

recent findings from the World Health Organization (WHO), noise causes sleep disturbance, and increases the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. Other effects include greater annoyance, stress and the hindering of childrens learning. Noise pollution interferes with peoples quality of life and health and can even have fatal consequences. Noise pollution affects adult and child health and well-being both directly and Indirectly. It affects our nervous and hormonal system, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and damage to cognitive function.

Conclusion Road and railways are two important factor of our society. Every day we use this mode of transport. This is directly and indirectly affects the environment and increase the health disease which is harmful to ecosystem and people.