Public Health
North Atlantic Rail will build cleaner modes of travel that reduce air and noise pollution for the benefit of all those who live in nearby communities.
Clean Transit Systems = Cleaner Air For Everyone
North Atlantic Rail will be an all-electric system powered from renewable energy sources that will contribute to a zero-carbon mobility system for the New England-downstate New York region.
It will reduce congestion on highways and at airports, reducing concentrations of small particulates, NOx, and other pollutants that contribute to high rates of asthma, heart and lung disease, and other illnesses that have a disproportionate impact on low-income and minority communities across the seven-state region.
North Atlantic Rail means we could see comparable dips in air pollution while actually growing our regional economy and promoting environmental justice.
NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio shows the influence of human travel on air pollution by showing pre-COVID and mid-lockdown nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels below.
“NO2 is primarily emitted from burning fossil fuels (diesel, gasoline, coal), coming out of our tailpipes when driving cars and smokestacks when generating electricity.”
Visualizations by Trent L. Schindler, updated on June 24, 2020
Prioritizing Our Needs
Under this initiative, environmental justice communities that have historically suffered from transportation-related emissions would be first priority for North Atlantic Rail investments.
Transitioning to a high-speed passenger rail network powered by clean, 100% renewable energy will increase these communities’ access to job opportunities and enhance the quality of the environment where they live. These changes translate to both a better quality of life and financial benefits as households can save money on transportation and healthcare.
