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Air Quality Programs

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The city of Phoenix has implemented many programs to improve air quality. These programs, combined with state, county and federal programs, have helped to reduce air pollution in the metropolitan area. More information on regional air quality programs is available from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and the Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD). You can also monitor current air pollution levels in Maricopa County.

TRANSIT AND LIGHT RAIL

• The Phoenix Transit Plan was passed by Phoenix voters in 2000. Since that time, the entire Valley Metro system has increased rider-ship by more than 50 percent. Service additions include the 20-mile light rail starter route linking the East Valley and Phoenix, Sunday and late evening bus schedules, as well as the RAPID express-bus routes. The light rail starter route is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
• Proposition 400: In November 2004, Maricopa County residents passed Proposition 400 that included additional transit funding for 37 additional miles of light rail, local and express bus service, new bus and Dial-a-Ride vehicles, new and improved bus stops, and regional park-and-ride facilities. Phoenix owns and operates transit service within the city and has about 45 million passenger-boardings each year on buses traveling more than 18 million miles on city streets.
• RAPID - Bus Rapid Transit: Initiated in 2003, the RAPID has become extremely popular providing express bus service as often as every 10 minutes during rush hour utilizing the existing freeway High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. It is a direct service without stop-and-go routing.
• Bikes on Buses: The entire fixed route transit fleet is equipped with bike racks that can accommodate up to two bikes - providing additional rider flexibility. In 2006, there were approximately 1.2 million bike-boardings, compared to 748,124 in 2001. Visit the Valley Metro web site for more information on the Bikes on Buses Program.

CLEAN FUELS

• Buses: The Phoenix Transit Department has over 355 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) buses, representing 71% of its fleet. The Clean Bus Program earned a Clean Cities Partner award from the U.S. Department of Energy and the "Crescordia" award from the local Valley Forward Association.

City Fleet Vehicles: The Phoenix Public Works Department has invested more than $33 million in alternative fuel programs since 1994 and has approximately 1,400 light-duty alternative vehicles in its fleet. In addition, 195 taxis, 90 shuttle buses and 186 fleet vehicles use alternative fuels at Sky Harbor International Airport. The City operates 10 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and 2 LNG fueling sites. Over 1 million gallons of CNG and over 9 million gallons of LNG were used in 2006. Pilot programs are underway for hybrid, bio-diesel, and LNG vehicles as part of an on-going program to evaluate other clean vehicle options for the future.

BIKE USE / BIKE LANES

The Phoenix Street Transportation Department has increased the number of bicycle lanes from 75 miles in 1990 to more 500 miles in 2007, including bike lanes, bike routes, and multiuse trails that connect neighborhoods with park areas, canals, downtown, and other centers. Find out more about the City Bikeway Program.

City employees also use bicycles and electric carts on the job to save energy and reduce air pollution. Whenever possible, staff at the city's larger water and waste-water treatment facilities use a total of 13 bicycles and 86 carts traveling nearly 370 miles per day.

LAND USE

The city has an aggressive Infill Program to help increase residential development in the central portion of the city. Since 1995, more than 4,298 single-family residential homes have been constructed under the program. Infill incentives include partial fee waivers of up to $1,200 per house. More information is available at the Infill Housing Program web site.

DUST CONTROL

As ozone and carbon monoxide levels decrease, dust and other fine particulates continue to be a problem. Particulates in the air are generated from numerous activities that include vehicle traffic, construction, rock and gravel mining, unpaved roads, and unauthorized vehicles and trespass on washes, vacant lots, and open areas.

Phoenix is a regional leader in programs to control airborne dust pollution. Between 1999 and 2006, the city invested $18 million in dust control programs, including the paving of all its unpaved roads, applying asphalt treatments to alleys, conducting dust training, using dust-efficient street sweepers, and stabilizing 12 acres on the banks of the Salt River. Highlights are provided below:

• Paved 70 miles of unpaved roads.
• Paved all 57 city-owned parking lots. This project has significantly reduced dust at city parks and other facilities.
• By 2006, completed 255 miles of an on-going asphalt treatment program for alleys.
• Stabilized shoulders in the Particulate Target Area, a 37 square-mile area in South Phoenix.
• Transitioned to a full fleet of PM-10 efficient street sweepers.
• Designed an innovative vacuum system to reduce dust from crack seal street operations.
• Trained 1,650 City staff and 130 private contractors (2000-2006) in dust control compliance requirements.
• Stabilized 12 acres on the banks of the Salt River to reduce the potential for wind-blown dust. Removed 2000 tires and 330 tons of trash, and then applied over 8,500 cubic yards of mulch. To prevent vehicle trespass, new guard rail along 35th Avenue and concrete barriers along 51st Avenue were constructed.
• Conducted inspection and stabilization of more than 250 City properties.

If you have concerns regarding illegal parking on vacant lots or other neighborhood issues, call the NSD Complaint Line at 602-262-7844 or access the Neighborhood Services Department on line.

To report dust from construction activity and other sources, call the Maricopa County Dust Complaint Line at (602) 372-2703.

TRAFFIC FLOW IMPROVEMENTS

• Traffic Signal Synchronization: All of Phoenix traffic signals are coordinated either locally or by a central computer. Of the 991 signals system-wide, 651 are linked to a central computer system that provide real-time monitoring and adjustment. Phoenix is also constructing a hybrid fiber optic / Ethernet wireless network to most of its signals by 2012. Information on other Street Transportation programs is available at the Street Transportation programs web site.
• Downtown Traffic Management System (DTMS): The DTMS uses Police staffing, barricades and video cameras, along with a freeway variable messaging system to control traffic during downtown events.

  

 

• Airport Traffic Congestion Reduction: Sky Harbor International Airport has implemented the following programs to reduce vehicle idling, circling and related vehicle emissions:
  
  
  • The Rental Car Center opened in January 2006 and reduces the number of vehicles circling the airport by providing 62 CNG buses for transportation to and from the airport.
  • The Stage & Go Lot allows drivers to wait in their vehicles (free of charge) while passengers deplane, pick up baggage and walk out to the curb for pick-up. Flight and baggage status are displayed on a large screen to eliminate vehicles circling the terminals.
  • Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) will reduce wait times at the curb by using Radio Frequency Identification technology to track and identify commercial and airport-owned shuttle buses.

ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRED PRODUCTS - TRANSPORTATION

The City considers environmental impacts in the purchasing process. As part of that effort the fleet management crews use aqueous parts cleaners rather than petroleum based solvents, and in 2007 they are testing re-refined oils. The Street Transportation department uses low-VOC (volatile organic compound) street paints and has converted to a computer-based system for street signs. The City is also replacing high-energy use traffic signals with LED lighting which uses 90% less energy.