Client: Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)

Location:  Parkville, Hunter Valley, New South Wales

Services Provided: Air Quality Assessment, dispersion modelling

Project details:

ARTC proposed to extend the existing passing railway loop in Parkville NSW to allow longer trains to pass.  One of the consequences of this proposal was the relocation of the north starter and north home signals to positions further north. 

KMH Environmental conducted an assessment of the air quality impacts on nearby residences due to locomotives idling in the current passing loop.  These effects were then compared to the predicted effects from locomotives idling at either of the proposed signal locations.  As the proposed signals were located further away from the majority of sensitive receptors, the extension of the loop proved favourable in terms of resultant air quality.  The air quality impacts of construction activities related to the loop extension were also considered, and recommendations on appropriate dust mitigation activities were included in the final report.