Is the pollutants BART emit less than buses and cars?

Question

The coal fires the electricity, the electricity runs the BART tranis. Is the coal which is used to start the BART still release lesser green house gases than cars and buses?

(Is that because the green house gases are capture in a certain place, it's easier to control?)

Details about the ways, running BART makes air cleaner than the buses and cars.

Answer 1

Yes.  BART runs on electricity, and electric vehicles produce fewer emissions than gas burning vehicles.  See this discussion for further details.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 2

Yes. Electricity, once made, is roughly 98% efficient over any span of copper wire. The B.A.R.T; or Bay Area Rapid Transit. Is a very fast efficient and effective way to move. The vacuum created as the train moves through the tunnel causes it to be pulled along as it cuts the air. A subway, is one of the oldest, most efficient ways to move large groups of people through metropolitan areas.

Answer 3

Being an electric transit system, B.A.R.T. is off to a very large head start compared to cars and buses. Energy from the U.S. electricity grid emits about 40% less co2 than an internal combustion engine.

The U.S. grid gets power from nuclear, solar, wind, geothermal,etc,etc, AND fossil fuel sources. Pollution from fossil fuel can be managed a lot better in a stationary power station rather than a mobile vehicle. Things like precipitators, filters and CO2 extractors can be fitted to reduce exhaust emissions. There are also a range of clean coal technologies (in trial) that have the potential to dramatically reduce the emissions for coal fired power stations.

It is also possible to control efficiency of large steam boilers to a greater degree. The larger energy sources see an averaged load, which is usually quite steady. A small motor sees a load that can vary from none to full load and back to none in just a few seconds.  

Now back to the B.A.R.T.

Train wheels on rails have a much lower rolling resistance than tires on the road. The train also does not stop and start as often as a bus or car. There is also a significant reduction in the frontal area that relates to wind resistance. (Compared with several buses required to move the same number of passengers.)

Now before I get accused of being the "spin doctor" for the electricity industry or for BART. I would like to add that riding a bicycle (or walking) emits almost no pollution and combats the problem of obesity. Similar systems to BART are the next best practical thing