Environmental Quality
Public transportation, of all types, is an environmental product whose goal is to offer an efficient and convenient mass transportation solution. A combination of different types of transportation (buses, trains and other similar means) can provide a comprehensive solution for various types of trips. In order for private vehicle travelers to consider public transportation as an attractive alternative it is essential for these systems to be efficient. The private vehicle causes many socio-environmental impacts such as emitting double the amount of air pollution per passenger than that of a bus or train, causing road congestion which increases pollution, delaying the travelling public and causing an increase in the paving of new roads that reduce land and open spaces. For this reason, we at Egged are improving travel conditions, focusing especially on maintaining an on-time schedule which is the largest challenge facing bus companies in Israel. At Egged we are working on improving our buses environmental performance and minimizing their ecological footprint. Egged’s main environmental impact stems from the use of fossil fuels to drive its buses.
Global Warming: Opportunities and Risks
In the past few years, recognition that mankind’s activities have influenced global warming has been the instigator of numerous activities on the subject and has intensified regulations on all matters pertaining to greenhouse gas emissions. 13% of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to transportation. As a
result, various sectors in this field are directing resources towards improving efficiency on this subject. Egged has been faced with the challenge of operating successfully in this changing world. Global warming also includes certain risks which may arise from fluctuating oil prices. As a regular bus is powered by fossil fuel there is a possibility of bus fare increases. A steep rise in the price of crude oil over a long period of time could cause a significant increase in bus operating costs which in turn could result in higher bus fares. Egged is a member of a national work panel which is involved in the establishment of a greenhouse gas emissions registration and reporting mechanism in Israel. This panel is part of the country’s preparation for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, an addendum to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (within the framework of the Climate Treaty).
Energy and Air Quality
Transportation is one of the main causes of air pollution and is responsible for most of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. As buses are no small contributor to this pollution we at Egged are striving to reduce this impact in various ways. Egged upgrades its bus fleet on an regular basis, this is in line with the goal of improving fleet performance and reducing bus air pollution emissions.
Meeting Legal Requirements
During the 1990’s the European Union began a program aimed at reducing transportation pollution emissions by publishing emission standards that would be amended from time to time. These standards were named ‘Euro’ and their level indicates the progression in the standard. To date, the Euro standard only relates to pollution and not to greenhouse gases. As the Euro standard advances it becomes stricter and the permissible emission levels are lowered.
The engines that have been developed to meet Euro standards are obliged to reduce pollution emissions. However, in order to accomplish this they consume slightly more fuel than the older engines. This has, therefore, contributed to increased fuel consumption during the past few years and for this reason
CO2 emissions are not being lowered but in fact are increasing slightly while in contrast, other types of emissions are being reduced considerably every year.
The most updated standard is Euro 5 which becomes effective January 1, 2014. Egged has begun equipping itself with buses meeting this standard.
Air Pollution Emissions from Egged Buses
- NOX (tons per year). NOx – Various nitric oxides are produced by both industrial and natural elements. Nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions originate mainly from transportation and industry, caused mainly by the oxidization of nitric oxide in various processes.
- PM (tons per year). PM (Particulate Matter) - Particles originating mainly from carbon, ash, sand, dust, soot and metals. The main sources of these particles are motorized vehicles, chimney smoke, mining, construction as well as natural sources such as sandstorms.
- HC (tons per year). HC - Hydrocarbons. A group of chemical compounds constructed from hydrogen and carbon atoms. These compounds are an
ingredient of various materials such as oil, paint, solvents and fuels. Hydrocarbons originate from vehicles, refineries, residential heating and factories using organic solvents. Hydrocarbons natural sources are vegetation, forest fires and natural fuel reservoir emissions.
- CO (tons per year). CO - Carbon Monoxide. A colorless and odorless gas that is a by-product of the incomplete burning of fossil fuel. The incomplete burning of fuel means burning with insufficient oxygen. The main origin of carbon monoxide emissions is the incomplete burning of fuel in motor vehicle engines.
The above mentioned emission data is absolute and does not include the number of passengers on a bus in its calculation. In practice, an increase in the number of passengers travelling by bus, as a result of a decrease in the number of passengers traveling in private vehicles would increase the absolute amount of Egged’s emissions. However national emission levels would be reduced significantly.
Transition to Low-Sulphur Diesel
Sulphur oxides can cause breathing and lung functioning disturbances especially amongst high risk groups such as children and asthma sufferers. Sulphur oxide air pollution is mainly associated with various industry and electricity production fields and not with the transportation field. Sulphur oxide emissions stem directly from the type of fuel consumed by a vehicle regardless of the engine type.
Since the end of 2007 all of Egged’s buses have been refueling with diesel fuel that contains 10 ppm (particles per million) instead of diesel fuel that contains 50 sulphur ppm’s. As sulphur oxide emission levels are mainly influenced by the type of fuel the significance of this move was an 80% decrease in sulphur emissions in addition to a decrease in other air pollutants.
Tracking and Handling Bus Smoke Emissions
Bus smoke emissions have been tracked continuously since 2001. Anyone who spots a smoke-emitting bus can contact the Egged National Safety and Hygiene Officer directly on a dedicated telephone line which is advertized on the bus. The complaint is registered and the reported bus is neutralized, removed from its assignments and sent to the closest Egged garage for examination and handling. A summary report of the examination is sent to the complainant as well as to the relevant authorities within Egged for tracking and supervision purposes. A National Call Center telephone number has been advertized on buses since 2005 and this has resulted in an increase in the number of calls from the public.
The telephone number for reporting smoke emissions is: 04-854-9597
Economical Driving Training
The manner in which a bus or private vehicle is driven can influence fuel consumption significantly. Egged began training its drivers on economical driving methods in 2008 in order to both reduce fuel consumption and decrease carbon and pollutant emissions.
The training included three hours of instruction conducted by instructors from Mercedes Benz. The training dealt with methods of driving and principles that needed to be implemented by the drivers for optimal fuel conservation. These principles include:
- Tranquil driving– avoiding sudden speed fluctuations
- Maintaining standard tyre air pressures
- High quality bus maintenance
- Turning off the engine during lengthy stops
Economic bus driving can reduce fuel consumption by 10%.
Water and Wastewater
The serious drought which Israel is facing obligates us all to conserve water. Egged has been actively measuring and attempting to reduce water consumption at all of its locations for a number of years. A major portion of Egged’s water consumption is used for washing the vehicles and their different parts. In addition, water is used for various sanitary purposes such as restrooms, showers and kitchens.
Bus washing, Egged’s main source of water consumption, takes place at 29 locations. Water recycling systems that recycle 70% of the used water have been installed at 21 locations. Egged has set a goal of installing water recycling systems in all of its locations.
Waste
The various types of waste produced by Egged sites are a by-product that we are attempting to reduce. Hazardous waste is sent to regulated hazardous landfill waste sites, recyclable waste is sent to recycling companies and the remaining waste is sent to regular landfill sites. Egged is making efforts to decrease the
waste volumes it produces as well as the amount of waste sent to landfill sites.
Engine and gear oil is collected for recycling by the Egged garages in an organized manner. Egged locations transfer the accumulated sludge from all of their oil and fuel separators to the at Lipodan site for recycling. Egged also transfers used vegetable oils from its kitchens for recycling.
Each year 3 million used tires, representing a significant combustion potential, pollute open spaces and water sources in Israel. Tire waste is a severe environmental problem especially due to the mass volume they take up in landfills and the fact that rubber is not biodegradable.
Egged removes a bus from service for one of the following two reasons; either an initiated removal from service that takes place after comparing the regulatory bus standards with the current bus fleet characteristics, or a market-related removal from service which takes place as a result of an accident or damage to the bus.
Egged’s office waste consists mainly of paper, ink toner and electronic waste. The different types of waste are sorted and sent for recycling:
- Paper Waste – Each month, containers of paper and cartons from the various Egged centers are sent for recycling. Specially designated paper
waste containers are scattered amongst the Egged offices. 6 tons of cartons and 15 tons of paper are collected annually for recycling.
- Ink Toners – Ink toner containers are returned to the supplier for recycling purposes. 2,700 ink toner containers from Egged offices are recycled annually.
- Electronic Waste – 5% of Egged’s electronic products are replaced annually. All of this waste, 400 tons of machinery per year, is sent for recycling.
Noise
Noise originating from vehicles does not damage the auditory system but it can become a nuisance that disturbs daily functioning and concentration as well as causing sleep disturbances. The noise volume of vehicles depends on the following factors: the volume of traffic – the larger the volume the higher the noise level; the traffic structure – trucks, buses and motorcycles increase noise levels; the traffic speed – continuous traffic creates lower noise levels than intermittent traffic (for example, stopping at road intersections). Naturally, the age and maintenance of a vehicle also influence noise levels.
Buses produce more noise than private vehicles because of their large engines and the frequent stops they are required to make. In addition, the use of air conditioning contributes to increased noise levels. As a result, most buses in Israel have higher noise levels than buses in Europe.
The noise level of all bus models used by Egged is checked prior to commencing service and only buses meeting the required standards are authorized for use.
The installation of a fleet management system was completed at Egged during 2008. All of the buses were equipped with satellite
GPS systems which are used to track the vehicles. A screen, enabling the driver to receive messages from the command center (for additional information refer to the Responsibility and Credibility chapter), was also installed. This system allows drivers to receive ‘Breaking Message’ warnings on their screen advising
them that their engine has been running for a lengthy period while motionless which results in wasted fuel and impacts the noise environment. In addition the system forwards a complaint report to the authorized association representative regarding the disciplinary deviation.