EXPERIENCES FROM FIVE YEARS OF PM MONITORING IN RAILWAY TUNNELS OF AUSTRIAN FEDERAL RAILWAYS (ÖBB)

Railways are considered a green transport system due to a high degree of electrification. However, due to abrasive- and wear processes railways do emit non-exhaust particles. On the one hand these particles represent a special concern related to the consequences on human´s health and the environment. On the other hand particles emitted from railways comprise a high share of conductive material, which potentially causes issues in the operation of railway infrastructure. In order to gain more information about the quantity of emissions and PM loads in railway tunnels, extensive measurement campaigns have been conducted in Austrian railway tunnels. The results show large differences in the hourly and daily average PM concentrations, which result from differences in the tunnel characteristics, traffic volume and the position in the tunnel. Iron, copper and manganese have been identified to represent the major share in the emitted particles. Furthermore, PM filter service life has been evaluated in an in-situ installation. The nominal end of filter service life was achieved within a period of two to three months.