Environmental Plan
TTC Environmental Plan 2008-09
Ride The Rocket
Transit Ridership
The TTC provides more than 450 million passenger rides each year. Each work day, an average of 1.5 million people ride the system which results in 1 million fewer trips by car. Fewer vehicles on the road equals less greenhouse gas emissions.
Transit Tomorrow
A plan to expand the TTC with rapid Light Rail Transit lines across all parts of Toronto is being implemented – it’s called the Transit City Plan. This is a significant element in the City of Toronto’s commitment to an environmentally sustainable future and liveable city.
Transit and Bikeways
The City plans to complete a bikeway network to make it easier to get around by both bicycle and transit. The TTC will be putting bike racks on all buses by 2010 and is investigating the use of secure bicycle storage by subway stations.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Petroleum Conservation
All bus purchases are planned to be diesel/electric hybrids. In 2007, the TTC operated 150 diesel/electric hybrid buses with 410 more to be added to the fleet in 2008, resulting in one third of the fleet being hybrids. By 2010, 45% of the fleet will be hybrids. Fuel efficiency is achieved through vehicle design, right-sizing, and by optimizing motor size. Operator training and operating procedures contribute to fuel efficiency as well. These principles apply to buses, streetcars, trains and non-revenue vehicles.
Use of Alternative Fuels
Today the TTC is using a bio-diesel blend in all of its buses. The fuel is 95% Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel and 5% vegetable oil. This fuel is used in other vehicles and equipment also, when fuelled on property.
Renewable Energy and Conservation
The TTC has successfully tested the use of solar-powered microwave transmitters, and is continuing efforts to purchase at least 25% of its electricity from green sources by 2012. Other energy conservation strategies include facility energy audits, demand management studies and the use of building automated controls systems. The TTC has reduced natural gas consumption at bus garages by 9.5% through the use of computerized building management systems and temperature setback strategies, with more improvements planned.
Energy Efficiency
Subway and LRT
Many vehicle improvements are included in the designs for both the New Subway Train (called the Toronto Rocket) and the New Low Floor Light Rail Vehicle to reduce energy consumption and to make the vehicles more environmentally sustainable. Automatic Train Operation is included in the design for the Toronto Rocket, which will improve energy efficiency. Currently all streetcars and 94% of subway vehicles have regenerative braking; all fleets will have it by 2010.
Reduce, Re-use & Recycle
In 2006, the TTC diverted 73% of its solid waste from landfill, and plans to continue improving its waste diversion rate to 80% by 2010. To achieve this target, a plan will be developed in 2008 for green bins. The TTC has programs for Subway Waste Separation and Recycling, Vehicle Clean Recycling and a No Waste Office Program. Also, the TTC operates its own Waste Transfer and Separation Facility.
End-of-life Recycling Plans for subway and light rail vehicles are requested from suppliers, as well as other environmental requirements, such as oil-less air compressors and the use of ozone friendly refrigerant in air conditioning systems.
Where possible, assets that are at the end of their useful life are sold for recycling including buses, subway cars and computers.
The TTC recycles numerous materials including a variety of metals, waste oil, batteries, solvents, cardboard and paper, scrap wood, tires, and toner cartridges.
TTC’s Environmental Policy
The Toronto Transit Commission commits to reduce the environmental impacts from its facility and vehicle operations, and will comply with all legal and applicable requirements.
In all aspects of its business, the TTC strives to provide the best alternative to car travel in the most environmentally responsible manner.
Responsible Purchasing
Green Procurement
In 2008, the Commission approved a Green Procurement Policy and Program (GPP) as part of its ongoing efforts to execute the TTC’s Environmental Plan. The GPP commits the TTC to purchasing environmentally preferable products and services in all of its operations where appropriate. Since the Policy was established, the TTC has developed Green Procurement Guides for buyers and user departments, established TTC-wide environmental standards addressing key product categories, completed pilot projects to test its Total Cost of Ownership tool, conducted collaborative innovation projects with key vendors, and developed an e-Learning training module for all staff members. On an ongoing basis, the TTC will also look for opportunities to incorporate environmental specifications in contracts with suppliers as they come up for renewal. It is anticipated that the TTC’s GPP will result in significant environmental and cost benefits, stimulate innovation for environmentally preferable products and services, and set a precedent for other communities and transport service providers.
Hazardous Materials Reduction
The reduction and elimination of hazardous materials is controlled through purchasing and disposal processes, such as the vehicle specifi cations for both the New Subway Train and the New Low Floor Light Rail Vehicle, which restrict the use of hazardous materials. When purchasing chemicals, health & safety, performance, and environmental impact are evaluated in addition to cost. By 2007, 55% of the TTC’s hazardous materials had been eliminated.
Green Design & Buildings
Building and Facility Performance
The TTC has established Design Standards for durable building construction and mitigation of construction impacts. Pilot Projects recently approved include a Green Roof and a Cool Roof.
Toronto Green Development Standard
This standard is to be adopted, where feasible, for new construction. The TTC already follows many of the Toronto Green Development Standard requirements in its designs. Where new technologies are considered, Pilot Projects will be used to develop design standards.
The key areas include:
- Improved Air Quality
- Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions / Improved Energy Efficiency
- Improved Water Quality and Water Efficiency
- Reduced Solid Waste
- Improved Ecology / Protection of Urban Forest and Reduction of Light Pollution
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