Differences for other pollutants are also so negligible as to be erased by the margin of error one might expect in these sorts of forecasts. The figures do not include emissions associated with the rail system, which will be powered electrically. Over and above the energy costs associated with running the rail system, there are those associated with its construction. Energy is consumed in operating equipment at the construction site, in producing and transporting construction materials, and in manufacturing vehicles and other equipment. The rail system has gotten a lot of public-relations mileage from images of quiet trains whizzing along at two or three times the speed of cars and buses on clogged roads.
Train noise increases with speed, and the noise can be substantial.
The area currently experiences high noise levels due to traffic on Ala Moana Boulevard. The closest portion of the building and day care playground would be approximately 50 feet from the proposed centerline of the nearest track. The trains would operate at a speed of approximately 20 miles per hour in this area. At this speed, adverse noise impacts from the rapid transit system would not occur. An explanation of the non-action should be provided.