Environmental Impact of the Grand Prix on Baltimore City
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Computers and Mathematics in Automation and Materials Science Environmental Impact of the Grand Prix on Baltimore City RONNIE BROWN1, ABDUL KHAN2, SAMUEL MBUGUA3 , ASIA MASON3, JAMES HUNTER1, GBEKELOLUWA OGUNTIMEIN1*. 1Department of Civil Engineering, 2Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 3Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. School of Engineering, Morgan State University 1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD, 21251 UNITED STATES of AMERICA [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],[email protected]* Abstract The Grand Prix of Baltimore significantly impacts the natural and built environment of the city. Over the past 4 years, there has been intense debate in Baltimore, and beyond, about the city hosting an annual leg of the Izod sponsored Indy grand prix series. Cases have been made for this event to become an annual fixture in the city‟s sports calendar, mainly citing the economic merits such an event would attract. The city has also documented environmental benefits from the 3 day event in the city, including improved air quality as indicated by the air quality index figures. On the other hand, environmentalists have made their case for the negative impacts the event would generate, such as the cumulative increase of greenhouse gas emissions in an already polluted metropolitan atmosphere. This study is an effort to centralize all the environmental data from the event and show that there is an improvement in the air quality as a result of the event.. Keywords: Air Quality Index, Environmental Pollution, Grand Prix of Baltimore, Green House Gas effect, Tons of Carbon dioxide equivalent. 1 Introduction participate in the event, as supremacy in this The grand prix as an event started in a small field would not only increase popularity off town in France in 1894. It had a backdrop as the race track, but also as a platform to unorganized but regularly held automobile develop new technology for their regular racing at the introduction of motor vehicles vehicles. The first recorded racing event to the public a few years earlier, and aimed happened in July 22nd, 1894 between the to be more of a competition between the cities of Paris and Rouen. However it was a drivers and their machines with the gentleman by the name of James Gordon endurance of both at stake [1]. Vehicle Bennett Jr. who increased the stakes of the manufacturers were particularly eager to sport, by presenting the idea of the Bennett *To Whom Correspondence ISBN: 978-960-474-366-7 141 Computers and Mathematics in Automation and Materials Science Gordon Cup. This cup was an international 2 Methodology recognition for the sport where worldwide manufactures could enter vehicles that had For both the positive impacts of the event in been entirely built in the continent they were Baltimore, specifics of how each data result representing. This is the juncture where the is explained, with logic and referenced proof United States became a participant of the accompanying it, but the main method of sport. In 1908, the United States became the results analysis is side by side comparisons first country outside of France to host the and extrapolations to how results mesh Grand Prix using that name (meaning grand together. For example, a positive impact of prize), at Savannah, Georgia. At this stage, it the Grand Prix of Baltimore is the improved was still not a championship event, and with air quality in the city of Baltimore. The this development, Italy, Spain, France and results for this claim are obtained by using Belgium organized their own events as well. the reference documented data from the The events were bound together by a Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, standardized collection of formulas of how about the daily air quality for a particular fast the cars could go, how much the cars day, compare it to the air quality data for the weighed, and how big the engine would be. labor day weekend when the grand prix These rules came to make the event referred event is held, and see the difference in air to at the Formula 1 grand prix. In 1925, the quality index values. Then, we have the first intercontinental world championship Maryland Department of Transportation took place and was held in the USA at the (MDOT) data regarding the annual average Indianapolis Motor Speed way or Indy 500, daily traffic. We then used the data to see the European grand prix, the French grand how many vehicles are expected in the city prix and the Italian Grand prix. In the United at any given weekend, and compare this to States, Izod is the title sponsors of the 13- how many vehicles are diverted away for the city event, including Baltimore. The grand race event. In addition data about the prix and the formula one organization, number of people present and their impact however, though around for over 100 years, on the air quality of the city, and then did not place an emphasis on environmental compare the two values obtained to see the protection as a byproduct of the event, not relationship they have with the around the world, and not within the USA. environmental air quality, and with each This did not happen until the Environmental other. For the negative impacts, especially Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the surface water runoff, we use an online tool National Environmental Protection Act by the name of L-THIA [3].. These tools, (NEPA) in 1970 [2]. The emissions were along with online journals, phone interviews uncontrolled, the fuels used and their with City employees in the Department of disposal was unregulated, the engine sizes Sustainability, using techniques and and vehicular engine noise levels was calculations results for GHG emissions and nowhere in the minds of the regulators. In the carbon footprint, and finally consulting this paper we discuss how all this has online publications from governmental changed as a result of NEPA, and how it is agencies such as the EPA and MDOT for the positively impacting the environment. The quantitative data needed for the analysis. term „environment‟ refers to both the natural and built environments, and explicit distinctions shall be made in each case. ISBN: 978-960-474-366-7 142 Computers and Mathematics in Automation and Materials Science 3 Results allow dual benefits in future of having the trees absent during subsequent events, and 3.1 Positive Impacts of the Baltimore have them there for the rest of the year. Grand Prix However, proponents argued that the trees being cut were in the way of the grand prix‟s When we think of the Grand Prix, the first grand stands, and without the cutting down things we come up with ease are the of these trees, the event‟s audience would negative effects of such an event. There is definitely not enjoy the race. Furthermore, a no denying that the burning of fuel and the majority of the trees being cut were in need speedy racing through the streets have their of replacement anyway, so the timing was share of environmental detriment. But there nothing if not a coincidence [5]. The grand are positive benefits in the midst of all the prix‟s Baltimore circuit, and hence this speed once the dust settles. For this action of tree cutting, turned out to be a particular case, the positives in the city of good thing for the city in the long run. Baltimore may not be as many, or as well According to the Baltimore Sun, the city of documented, but are quite practical and Baltimore slashed the environmental profound. We have examined the all the rehabilitation budget efforts, specifically effects that the grand prix of Baltimore can tree planting efforts by over 34.09 %, from be connected to, from financial implications, 4.4 million dollars to 2.9 million dollars [6]. to how automotive progress in the sport When the grand prix organizers moved to benefits the environment in the long run. It Baltimore, the race first race‟s organizers, is important to note that at this point, the Baltimore Racing Development, had data gathered from our research is all that is estimated that they would require to cut currently available, since the event is the down at least 136 trees. But according to first of its kind in the city with minimally Lionel Fisher, the general manager of the documented analysis. We begin with the Grand Prix of Baltimore, only 31 trees were examination of the environmental benefits felled, over 22.8 % less than projections to the reforestation of the city, air quality indicated [5]. On the same note, the race through green house gas emission reduction, organizers pledged to plant 135 total trees waste recycling, and financial benefits of the over the next 3 years This will increase the event to the socio-economical environment. number of trees in the city by over 4 times the number of those cut during the 3.1.2 Environmental rejuvenation operation, which is a benefit for the city in the long run. In 2011, there was a mass protest concerning the most significant contribution which is Scientifically, it has been proven that the environmental rehabilitation that occurs tree planting is one of the key actions that during the race. Many residents complained promote carbon offsetting, and this is largely of the persistent trend of cutting down the due to the carbon cycle. Trees take in carbon trees along the sidewalks of the city streets. dioxide, metabolizes it for growth and Opponents of this actions claimed that the development, and release oxygen to the city was already severely deficient of trees environment.