TriMet TV Episode 14 · Apr. 7, 2008 · 2:40 · Download (26MB M4V)

Keeping Portland Green

Here at TriMet, we're proud to help keep our community green. While buses and MAX reduce air pollution and traffic congestion, we're looking for ways to reduce our own impact on the environment.

Text transcript of this episode

In January, Popular Science magazine ranked Portland as the Greenest City in the country, due in part to the growing number of people using transit, biking and walking to get around.

Here at TriMet, we're proud to help keep our city green. Buses and MAX reduce air pollution and traffic congestion, plus we're always looking for ways to reduce our own impact on the environment.

Here in Portland, TriMet service eliminates more than 200,000 car trips every day. Thats 4.2 tons of smog-forming pollutants and more than 540 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

At the same time, we continue looking for ways to reduce pollution produced by buses. For example, we've expanded our use of biodiesel to all buses and LIFT vehicles. And we use an ultra-low sulfur diesel, which helps reduce particulate emissions up to 30 percent.

When it comes to gas mileage, TriMet buses are among the most fuel efficient anywhere. We've boosted mileage dramatically through mechanical adjustments, improved technology and reduced idling. This saves us more than 500,000 gallons of fuel every year.

TriMet and its contractors are using sustainable construction practices to build the new MAX lines downtown and along I-205. On the Portland Mall, we're working to salvage, recycle and reuse building materials. Nearly 30,000 cubic yards of concrete, aggregate and base material will be crushed or cleaned, and then reused.

On the I-205 segment, landscaping at MAX stations will feature hundreds of new trees, as well as native plants that require less water and fertilizer.

TriMet service has helped generate 6 billion dollars in development along the MAX lines. Much of this development is residential, mixed with retail and other commercial use, creating communities where people can live, work and play.

Transit-oriented development helps improve livability, and reduce the pressure on our natural environment, from things like sprawl, traffic congestion and air pollution.

To learn more about TriMet's sustainability efforts, visit us online at trimet.org/sustainable. And thanks for doing your part to help keep our community green.

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