China

This study is a joint effort of the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP), Chinese experts, and the World Bank to inform the policy-making process in line with... Show More + the government of China’s medium- and long-term objectives. Specifically the study aims to assist MEP, provincial governments, and municipalities by: (1) Proposing a national PM10 compliance plan to help non-compliant cities attain grade II - preferably by 2015 or in certain cases by 2020 at the latest - and already compliant cities to further reduce PM concentrations. The plan would include (a) policies and regulations and associated physical interventions/measures; (b) geographical scope; (c) sequencing of interventions; and (d) feasible environmental investments likely to have high benefit/cost ratios. (2) recommending a PM2.5 monitoring system and related data applications. Show Less -

Based on a number of background studies on the urban transport problems facing China's large cities, this report summarizes the diagnostic analyses of these problems... Show More + with a focus on the associated institutional issues, and recommends policy directions and short- to medium-term institutional development actions for sustainable urban transport. In particular, it examines the changing nature of urban transport problems in a broad context of urbanization and fiscal decentralization, and calls for the national government to re-define and strengthen its role in dealing with the spillover effects of urban transport problems. The report is intended to contribute to the current debate on urban transport issues and to serve as a technical input to the government policy making process, especially at the national level. Show Less -

There has been increased interest throughout the world in improving transit services through the introduction of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). ITS can be... Show More + defined as a set of technologies intended to improve the quality or efficiency of transit services primarily by providing the appropriate information at the appropriate time in an appropriate form to transit staff and transit customers. The World Bank has participated in the financing of several ITS systems in China. Given the complexity of these projects and their potential for dramatic transformation of transit operating agencies, it is worthwhile to provide some guidance to senior staff from transit systems contemplating ITS projects as well as decision-makers external to the transit operating organizations The World Bank commissioned a series of three papers to assist in this effort. This first paper is a description of the key ITS applications for transit operations and where they are most beneficial. This second paper reviews a number of previous installations and reports on lessons learned, both positive and negative, in the hope of maximizing the effectiveness of technology in improving transit services. The third is a set of Terms of Reference (TOR's) for professional services associated with ITS project management to assist in project implementation these papers focus more on the organizational and planning issues associated with ITS. This guidance is primarily directed to bus transit operators, including those with bus rapid transit (BRT) services. However, the sections on fare collection and traffic signal priority may have some application to streetcar or light rail transit. Vehicle location on such systems is usually accomplished by a signal system used to control switching between tracks. This note serves as an introduction to the topic of ITS for transit. In it, we introduce the various ITS technologies, identify their benefits, and the range of applications where their use is most appropriate. The interaction among technologies in providing information useful to transit system management is also discussed. Of equal importance, we have found that successful implementation of ITS depends not only on the technology but also on the institutional environment in which they are implemented. Since the introduction of technology fundamentally changes the nature of traditional managerial and staff processes, organizations which are able to embrace change and alter their methods of doing business will be more likely to fully benefit from these installations. Accordingly, this paper discusses some of the institutional and organizational factors associated with ITS implementation. From the outset, this note does not advocate for the implementation of specific ITS technologies. Show Less -

This document summarizes the environment impact assessment of the World Bank financed Jiangxi Shihutang Navigation and Hydropower Complex Project for China at the Gan... Show More + River, highlighting the main issues and conclusions of the environment impact assessment and environment management plan of the project. The proposed project will have: (i) canalized 38km long waterway, upgrading a stretch of waterway of the Gan River to further extend Grade III navigability to upstream stretches of the river, and to finally reach the planned waterway objective; and (ii) constructed the Shihutang hydropower station that will participate in peak regulation of the Jiangxi power grid together with the upstream Wan' an hydropower station, and thus play an important role in lessening power shortage and improving the energy structure of the Jiangxi Province. Policies and entitlements included in the Resettlement Plan (RAP) are based on national, provincial and municipal regulations, as well as requirements in the World Bank's OP 4.12. The following key considerations and activities were conducted in project planning and design and in RAP preparation: (i) optimizing the normal pool level to minimize losses due to inundation; (ii) minimizing the extent of land acquisition and resettlement by optimizing project design and providing flood protection works; (iii) entitling all displaced persons, including those who have no households' registration, business licenses or other legal documentation, to compensation or other forms of resettlement assistance so that their incomes and living standards can be improved or at least restored; and (iv) establishing mechanism to address complaints .and grievances for the displaced persons including discussions, negotiations, arbitration, and legal proceedings. Show Less -

The World Bank (WB) initiated a pilot project - dubbed "Guangzhou Green Trucks Pilot Project" in support of Guangzhou's efforts to improve air quality in preparation... Show More + for the 2010 Asian Games. The goal of this project was to develop a proof of concept for a truck program in Guangdong Province and China that aims to: Enhance the fuel economy of the truck fleet, reduce black carbon and other air pollutants from trucks and consequently obtain GHG emission savings. The following strategies were applied during the technology pilot on HDTs: Cab roof fairing, which is an integrated air deflector mounted on the top of the cab and reduces the gap between the tractor and the trailer. Fairings of the brand DongGuan CAIJI were used in the pilot. Nose cone, which is installed on the front of the trailer and reduces air turbulence. Nose cones were purchased from a Guangdong-based supplier, DongGuan CAIJI. Skirts, which are panels that hang down from the bottom of a trailer to enclose the open space between the rear wheels o the tractor and the rear wheels of the trailer. Skirts reduce the amount of wind underneath the trailer and, according to the manufacturers, can improve fuel economy by up to 5 percent. Skirts were made to size in the US by FreightWing Inc, and shipped to China.
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The Guangzhou Green Trucks Pilot Project in support of Guangzhou's efforts to improve air quality in preparation for the 2010 Asian Games aimed to contribute to addressing... Show More + three problems related to trucks in Guangzhou and the wider Guangdong province simultaneously: (a) fuel costs and security; (b) air pollution and associated health impacts, and (c) GHG emissions and climate change. The scope of the pilot was limited to Guangdong Province, focusing on diesel trucks accessing or passing through the city of Guangzhou and surrounding cities, like Shenzhen. Aside from GHG emissions, the scope includes black carbon and other air pollutants from trucks because of their potential interacting effects and contribution to climate change, and because air pollution is an important local concern. The pilot project consisted of four components, each with its own output (provided separately): First, a Background Analysis Report, which analyzes numbers, growth, operation, fuel use in Guangzhou; relevant institutions and policies in China; and available fuel economy and emissions reduction strategies and technologies. A Guangzhou Truck Sector Survey Report, which summarizes the results of a survey of truck drivers and companies. The survey intended to fill the gaps in information needed for the program design and for determining the potential fuel savings and emission reductions through a wider green freight program in Guangdong. A Smart Drivers for Trucking in China Training Course - this training course, with materials for truck fuel efficiency were developed and tested in the field, can be the basis of a training component under a future green freight program. Finally, a Technology Pilot Report, with results from the technology pilot, it also presents recommendations for future pilots based on this pilot and estimates the potential for fuel and emissions reductions for Guangdong Province using heavy duty trucks as an example. Show Less -

This document was devloped as it initiated a pilot project - dubbed Guangzhou Green Trucks Pilot Project in support of Guangzhou's efforts to improve air quality in... Show More + preparation for the 2010 Asian Games. The goal of this project was to develop a proof of concept for a truck program in Guangdong Province, and possibly China, that aims to: Enhance the fuel economy of the truck fleet, Reduce black carbon and other air pollutants from trucks and consequently obtain GHG emission savings.The project was implemented by the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities Center (CAI-Asia Center), in cooperation with Cascade Sierra Solutions, US EPA and World Bank, and with support from Guangzhou Environmental Protection Bureau (GEPB), Guangzhou Transport Committee (GTC), and Guangzhou Project Management Office (PMO) for the World Bank.The pilot project aims to contribute to addressing three problems related to trucks in Guangzhou and the wider Guangdong province simultaneously: (a) fuel costs and security; (b) air pollution and associated health impacts, and (c) greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The scope of the pilot was limited to Guangdong Province, focusing on diesel trucks accessing or passing through the city of Guangzhou and surrounding cities, like Shenzhen. Aside from GHG emissions, the scope includes black carbon and other air pollutants from trucks because of their potential interacting effects and contribution to climate change, and because air pollution is an important local concern. The pilot project consisted of the following components, each with its own output: Background analysis, Survey of Guangzhou truck sector, Driver training course for fuel efficiency of trucks and a Technology pilot. Show Less -

Ningbo serves as the Chinese pilot city for the World Bank Climate Resilient Cities (CRC) Program. The CRC program aims to, prepare local governments in the East Asia... Show More + region to better understand the concepts and consequences of climate change; how climate change consequences contribute to urban vulnerabilities; and what is being done by city governments in East Asia and around the world to actively engage in learning capacity building, and capital investment programs for building sustainable, resilient communities. This local resilience action plan (LRAP) had four parts. Part one investigated natural hazards weather observations and climate models. Seven key climatic parameters were selected: temperature, rainfall, drought, heat wave, flood, tropical cyclone, and sea level rise. Part two examined how the city functions, and pursues socio-economic development through a city vulnerability assessment. The qualitative, city vulnerability assessment was based on five sectors- people, infrastructure, environment, economy, and government. Each sector was analyzed extensively on a range of issues, and compared to other similar Chinese cities to more accurately judge its performances. Part three is the gap analysis. It was performed to understand the government actions and their effectiveness to respond to natural disasters, and whether the current and planned policies and programs address the current and future climate change impacts and natural disasters. This part was supported by the following inventories: inventory of natural disasters, and inventory of policies and programs. Part four therefore was to develop recommendations for each of the city vulnerability sectors. The 70 plus recommendations are specific to Ningbo's vulnerabilities and risks. They are described briefly, intended to serve as an introduction. Feasibility studies are recommended before further action or implementation. Show Less -

Using a nested multinomial logit model of car ownership and personal travel in Beijing circa 2005, this paper compares the effectiveness of different policy instruments... Show More + to reduce traffic congestion and CO2 emissions. The study shows that a congestion toll is more efficient than a fuel tax in reducing traffic congestion, whereas a fuel tax is more effective as a policy instrument for reducing gasoline consumption and emissions. An improvement in car efficiency would also reduce congestion, fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions significantly; however, this policy benefits only richer households that own a car. Low-income households do better under the fuel tax policy than under the efficiency improvement and congestion toll policies. The congestion toll and fuel tax require the travel cost per mile to more than triple. The responsiveness of aggregate fuel and CO2 are, approximately, a 1 percent drop for each 10 percent rise in the money cost of a car trip. Show Less -