A first-of-its-kind plan to convert older Metra locomotives into battery-powered ones has been approved by the Metra Board of Directors. The commuter railroad that serves the Chicago area first issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in …
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Lighting up the Elizabeth Line with LEDs (E&T)
E&T spoke to the engineers behind the lighting architecture across London’s recently opened Elizabeth line which aims to promote a safe and efficient passenger experience. Using LEDs to light up the stations, escalator shafts and …
Continue readingMonday’s Friday Reads – 22 August 2022
• Vintage Intercity train Co launches 1st class service alternative to Avanti West Coast (BusinessLive) • Construction of Germany’s deepest S-Bahn station (TunnelOnline) • Advocates sue Montréal transit agency for cutting ads criticizing high fares …
Continue readingFriday Reads – 19 August 2022
• TfL could be nationalised (RailTech) • Secrets of the Elizabeth Line: video (GeoffMarshall) • These maps help you see & noise pollution in your city (FastCompany) • Vancouver, St Louis saw increased safety, decreased …
Continue readingE-scooters: How to get more women to ride (FutureTransport)
As the popularity of micromobility increases, more people are using e-scooters as a sustainable and convenient mode of transport. However, data suggests that e-scooter ridership is generally higher among males compared to females. Many e-scooter …
Continue readingA grain of hope for Ukraine grain trains (RailInsider)
Spain’s Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (Mitma) has commissioned a specially-adapted train to help get Ukraine’s grain back on the move during its war with Russia. The train comprises 25 40-foot containers fitted …
Continue readingBenefits accrue from rural railway reopenings, study finds (RailwayGazette)
Reopening rural railways offers an important spectrum of benefits, according to a study commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development & Building. These range from positive effects on land use to advantages …
Continue readingPowdered sodium battery may increase energy density 15% (NewAtlas)
With real uncertainty clouding the world’s supply of lithium, alternative battery chemistries will be crucial as we continue our uptake of electric vehicles and mobile devices. One exciting candidate in this space is sodium-ion, and a …
Continue readingNetwork Rail & EDF Renewables UK partner for greener railway (RailwayTechnology)
Network Rail has announced a solar power agreement with EDF Renewables UK to achieve a greener railway network for Britain. The energy will be procured from EDF Renewables UK’s Bloy’s Grove solar farm in Norfolk. The site was …
Continue readingMonday’s Friday Reads – 15 August 2022
• Edinburgh Festival visitors choosing to travel by rail (RailAdvent) • Ten great films set railway stations (BFI) • Vancouver, Stockholm, & the suburban metro model (PedestrianObvs) • NYC’s most forgotten train terminal (LiamO’Connell) • …
Continue readingFriday Reads – 12 August 2022
• Great British Railways: where passengers come last (FT) • GLA takes over moribund Royal Albert Dock ‘3rd Financial Centre’ (Guardian) • Berlin’s Tegel Airport transforming into climate-neutral, car-free district (FastCompany) • NYC Ferry will …
Continue readingTokyu Railways go full steam ahead on sustainability (RailwayTechnology)
As much of Japan lags behind in its transition to green energy, the Tokyo-based operator continues its efforts to decarbonise. In 2019, Tokyu Railways became the first Japanese rail business to join RE100, a global …
Continue readingERTMS virtual coupling can bring added rail capacity (RailTech)
As railways are viewed as key to sustainable mobility, the increase of rail’s modal share for both passenger and freight transport will cause congestion problems on many national and urban networks. Virtual Coupling promises to …
Continue readingWednesday’s Friday Reads – 10 August 2022
• TfL gardens opening on disused platforms & spaces (IanVisits) • Battery equipped off-wire trolleybuses are the great, green bus solution (Guardian) • New Paris tram-train T13 reuses part of Grande Ceinture (UrbanTransport) • Liège …
Continue readingTransport & Works Act to expand for non-physical guidance systems (RailwayGazette)
The government is to enable the Transport & Works Act process to be used to grant powers for transport projects using non-physical guidance systems. At present the TWA process only covers modes with physical guidance, …
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