• HS2 being scrapped means fewer trains and higher rail prices, experts warn (inews) • The new housing case for extending Crossrail to Ebbsfleet (JamesO’Malley) • Chemical attraction: Hackney Wick Overground station (BeautyOfTransport) • Northern …
Continue readingAuthor: Long Branch Mike
Breakthrough in tram driver fatigue detection (UKTram)
A wearable device that’s been designed to detect the onset of fatigue in tram drivers has delivered remarkable results in independent testing commissioned by UKTram. The organisation representing the light rail sector reports that the …
Continue readingAutonomous battery-powered wagons begin testing in US (RailTechnology)
American rail operator, Genesee & Wyoming (G&W) is planning on piloting the use of autonomous battery-powered wagons on two short lines in Georgia. Using technology from Parallel Systems, the vehicles could be used to transport containers to …
Continue readingColas Rail trials HVO fuel for a loco, crane, & tampers (RailBusinessUK)
Colas Rail is trialling the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil as a more sustainable alternative to diesel for fuelling a Class 56 freight locomotive, four tampers and a Kirow crane. HVO is produced from cooking …
Continue readingMonday’s Friday Reads – 2 October 2023
• The war on motorists: The secret history of a myth as old as cars themselves (Guardian) • RMT tube strike to cause severe disruption to the London Underground next week (IanVisits) • The history, …
Continue readingTokyu Railways goes full steam ahead on sustainability (RailwayTechnology)
In 2019, Tokyu Railways became the first Japanese rail business to join RE100, a global green energy initiative that brings together hundreds of businesses committed to powering 100% of their operations using renewable sources. Less than three …
Continue readingFriday Reads – 29 September 2023
• Secret MI6 spy tunnels being turned into London tourist attraction (SecretLondon) • ÖBB & DB to double sleeper train traffic by 2030 (RailTech) • Can the Messina Bridge project cross the divide to Sicily? …
Continue readingCutting-edge tech freezes out leafs & leaves only rails on the line (RailFreight)
Leaf-clearing trains are being deployed across Scotland this Autumn, with the technology to give leaves the cold shoulder. A blend of cutting-edge technology and specialised trains are on the tracks to ensure the network doesn’t …
Continue readingIndia, Germany, Poland are harnessing solar power for railways (EuroNews)
As India ‘solarises’ its railways, here are the European countries realising the potential of sun-powered trains too. An Indian railway network is installing over 1,000 hectares worth of solar energy. The Central Railway, one of …
Continue readingSeoul introduces world’s 1st tagless metro system (KoreaBizWire)
The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Wednesday introduced a tagless fare payment system at 12 subway stations on the Ui-Sinseol Light Rail Transit (excluding Bomun Station) in collaboration with transportation card issuer Tmoney Co. This marks …
Continue readingMonday’s Friday Reads – 25 September 2023
• End ‘spiral of decline’ of bus services by handing control to councils (LocalGovt) • Nottingham’s multi-pronged approach to effective public transport (MobilityMatters) • Prague’s new minimalist pedestrian bridge (Domus) • How the US created …
Continue readingDithering & long processes make the UK’s infrastructure too expensive (SamDumitriu)
“Unachievable.” The Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s assessment of High Speed 2 (HS2) does not pull its punches. Back in 2013, the high-speed line to connect London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds was estimated to cost about £56.7bn …
Continue readingFriday Reads – 22 September 2023
• RIA calls for Government to keep UK rolling stock factories operating (GlobalRailway) • Burberry’s rebrand of Bond Street station slammed amid commuter chaos (MarketingBeat) • New Assisted Travel Lounge at London Paddington opens (RailUK) …
Continue readingDesigning information systems for Generation Alpha (TransportTimes)
COVID-19 has cast a long shadow on public transport, and rail in particular. The rapid embracing of digital meetings, principally due to the convenience and efficiency of working from home, has changed the frequency and …
Continue readingAI can save cost & distance traveled in any transport sector (GreenBiz)
AI has a finger on the pulse of the transport industry The transport sector is tapping into the potential of artificial intelligence to curtail emissions and boost efficiency. Lately, it seems everyone wants to “AI-ify” …
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