ART and Air Quality

The Washington, D.C. area is a federal non-attainment area for both ground level ozone and fine particle pollution. This means that air pollution levels persistently exceed national air quality standards. But riding ART, rather than driving, literally helps clear the air.

Taking public transportation generally pollutes less than driving, but ART buses are even more environmentally friendly than most, because they run on clean-burning compressed natural gas. And on days when ozone pollution is forecast to be the worst, you can ride ART for free!

In addition to helping to alleviate the immediate problem of air pollution, reducing vehicle emissions also helps to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. This is a goal of Fresh AIRE: Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions.

Ride ART Free When Air Quality Forecast is Code Red

From May 1 through September 15, 2008, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) will issue a daily air quality forecast for the following day. The forecasts are based on a color-coded system. On days when air quality has been forecast to be Code Red (unhealthy), ART is free. Note that COG now provides forecasts several days in advance, but the free ride program is based on COG's forecast for the following day, which is usually available in the late afternoon.

While this program is in effect, the air quality forecast can be found at the top right of this page and most pages on the ART website, or on MWCOG's website.

All Metrobus routes in Northern Virginia also offer free rides on Code Red days, as do many other local bus systems. Find out more.

Benefits of Compressed Natural Gas

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, "Natural gas is one of the cleanest burning alternative fuels available and offers a number of advantages over gasoline. In light-duty applications, air exhaust emissions from natural gas vehicles are much lower than those from gasoline-powered vehicles. In addition, smog-producing gases, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, are reduced by more than 90% and 60%, respectively and carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is reduced by 30%-40%. For heavy-duty and medium-duty applications, natural gas engines have demonstrated more than 90% reduction of CO and particulate matter and more than 50% reduction of NOx relative to commercial diesel engines.

More Information:

Air Quality and Transportation
Arlington's Fresh AIRE initiative
MWCOG Air Quality Forecast
Clean Air Partners