Politics of Air
Air pollution isn't really something that the residents of Portland really think about; everyone seems to think that air pollution is something that only affects cities such as Los Angeles and New York something that won't affect Portland. But the truth is that if Portland doesn't continue to improve is transit systems, and monitor the air quality, Portland could turn into another LA.The figure below indicates the huge changes which have been made over the past 25 years and indicates just how far we have come in such a relatively short time. As a little history, one must keep in mind; these emission regulations for diesel engines are relatively in their infancy compared to the industry in general. Engine emission regulations started for automobiles in 1970, diesels only started being regulated in 1974 and then really only for smoke until 1978. Real emission testing didn't take effect until the advent of steady state transient testing that was instituted in 1979, since then we have come a long way. Using unregulated engines of the 70's as a base, which would blow black soot out the tail pipe all over your car if you were following a transit bus back then. Now we have the
Today they're several cities like Portland who have begun introducing more efficient and cleaner forms of transportation like the Portland's Tri-Met light rail systems. By creating job opportunities, reducing car trips helping keep our air clean there are many benefits to the Max expansions project. More and more people began riding busses and driving cars, cars that General Motors was manufacturing, also adding to the local air pollution. Taken for a Ride: In class movie. " Several studies done by Tri-Met have shown that 83% of riders prefer to ride Tri-Met over their own car, and with the other two expansion projects on their way ridership is again expected to double leaving little to worry about. It is estimated that when completed, the light rail system will reduce air pollution 1,700 tons each year in Portland. GM began buying out streetcar companies, ripping up old car tracks then implementing their new bus systems. As GM became more powerful, they continued to buy out city streetcar companies; by the 1950's GM began to get more support from more companies and city commissioners to begin building freeways. It wasn't until the mid 1920 that General Motors began to take over the street by producing buses. The Airport and Interstate expansion projects are well supported by the Portland voters, public/private ventures involving the Port of Portland, Tri-Met, the City of Portland, Portland Developmental Commission and Bechtel Enterprise whom have covered most of the costs of the project.
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Acceptance Essays
