Fighting for Air
Jan 10, 2018 23:01:46 GMT
Post by WDB on Jan 10, 2018 23:01:46 GMT
Not an AC/DC reference; I just watched this on BBC2.
Fighting for Air: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09m2djj
in which the likeable Dr Xand van Tulleken takes to a Birmingham suburb I used to know well (including riding the no.50 bus many times) and examines the effect of various traffic-smoothing and -reducing measures on emissions of harmful local pollutants. The scientific method is less than rigorous but it's thought-provoking in the context of increasing awareness of the effect of vehicle emissions on individuals as well as populations. Diesel engines in particular come in for a beating, although I'd have to say the film takes their contribution as a given rather than trying to demonstrate it.
One eye-opener for many will be the effect of driving style; anticipation and steady, lowish speeds made for far cleaner progress in a labbed-up BMW diesel than the alternate revving and braking we often see on crowded streets. It remains to be seen whether drivers will just take this as proof of how bad other drivers are, or try to change their own habits.
There's supporting information here
www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42566393
and you can check the air quality where you are. Here it's an encouraging 1 out of 6, although that would change on a cold, still morning at the school gate, 600m away. The walk the other way to the station on those mornings is pretty malodorous too.
Fighting for Air: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09m2djj
in which the likeable Dr Xand van Tulleken takes to a Birmingham suburb I used to know well (including riding the no.50 bus many times) and examines the effect of various traffic-smoothing and -reducing measures on emissions of harmful local pollutants. The scientific method is less than rigorous but it's thought-provoking in the context of increasing awareness of the effect of vehicle emissions on individuals as well as populations. Diesel engines in particular come in for a beating, although I'd have to say the film takes their contribution as a given rather than trying to demonstrate it.
One eye-opener for many will be the effect of driving style; anticipation and steady, lowish speeds made for far cleaner progress in a labbed-up BMW diesel than the alternate revving and braking we often see on crowded streets. It remains to be seen whether drivers will just take this as proof of how bad other drivers are, or try to change their own habits.
There's supporting information here
www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42566393
and you can check the air quality where you are. Here it's an encouraging 1 out of 6, although that would change on a cold, still morning at the school gate, 600m away. The walk the other way to the station on those mornings is pretty malodorous too.
