Environmental issues related to the surface transportation of coal

The potential environmental issues associated with coal transportation are identified and described, and two major issues are selected for further research. After describing the scale of coal transportation in Australia, a suitable study area is selected for more intensive assessments. The major issues of noise and fugitive dust are analysed, and related to the main modes of transport, especially those used in the study area. In order to assess the impact of environmental issues on the community, surveys of residents living near transport corridors are conducted. Property devaluation is identified by a survey of real estate agents. Problems related to specific modes, such as level crossing delays, are discussed. Finally, a number of alternative coal transport systems are considered. The objectives of analysing the effects of noise and dust, and providing proposed guidelines for major environmental issues associated with surface transportation of coal, are achieved.