3 MOVES
MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES
FILTHY LUCRE
The two models below follow the path of coal to the proposed Cherry Point Coal Terminal. The mountain is a graph of money earned (at current prices) from the projected 48 million tons of coal that would pass through the terminal each year. The canyon represents, at the same scale, the projected social cost of the carbon emissions that result from burning the same 48 million tons of coal per year.
THE HOME FRONT
These drawings represent the full journey of coal from the Rockies to Asia. Each line calls out a location of particular resistance to the transport of coal, most of which are located in the Pacific Northwest. By exporting coal for use in China, we are effectively outsourcing our carbon footprint. Any carbon generated there also impact our own environment. But if residents and the government of the Pacific Northwest can continue to apply pressure , we can stem the flow of coal, and avoid the great contribution it would make to global climate change.
THE SELF-DRAWING LINE
At several places along the route, the influx of coal trains along already busy lines could create bottlenecks, causing delays, and effectively separating one side of the tracks from the other, as crossing is impossible when a train is on the line.
These two drawings map the same route, arguably the most at-risk section of track on the journey from Montana to the coast.
Each line represents an average 1 1/4mi long train. The drawing represents the average spacing of trains at pre- and post-coal traffic levels.
Under current conditions, the gap between trains is large enough that one passes only 1.9 times per hour. If coal traffic were to use these tracks, traffic would more than double, resulting in more than 4 trains per hour.
THE LOW ROAD
BNSF railways frequently pass through sensitive environments, polluting them with noise, particulate matter, and coal dust from uncovered cars.
A significant portion of one of the coal routes through Oregon runs directly next to the Columbia River, through the Columbia River Gorge. The tonal variation of this drawing represents that proximity.
University of Oregon - Arch 583 - Winter 2016 - Associate Professor Erin Moore