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 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 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 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, …
Continue reading1st UK tri-mode locomotive to be delivered next year (RailwayGazette)
The bodyshell for the first of the Class 93 tri-mode electric-diesel-battery locomotives ordered by Rail Operations (UK) has been completed at Stadler’s factory at Valencia in Spain. ‘This is a project of firsts’, said Iñigo …
Continue readingFunding influx for US ferry projects (Cruise&Ferry)
Not everyone knows that the USA federal government’s infrastructure bill includes a $1.6 billion funding allocation for projects related to ferry services. Private-sector contractors should take a moment to check out some of the upcoming …
Continue readingNew sustainable sleeper train to link London & Stockholm in < a day (EuroNews)
A brand new sleeper train will let passengers travel from London to Stockholm in less than 24 hours. The EuroNight service – expected to start running in September – will transport passengers between Sweden’s capital …
Continue readingCan battery recycling & geothermal lithium solve the supply crunch? (GreenBiz)
Analysts warn that a lithium supply chain crunch could come as soon as 2023 — and put a potential damper on U.S. vehicle electrification goals. Five- to tenfold growth is expected in the global lithium battery market …
Continue readingDB is 1st intermodal partner of Star Alliance airline group (RailwayNews)
On 1 August 2022, Deutsche Bahn (DB) will become the first intermodal partner of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline alliance. The collaboration will allow DB and Star Alliance passengers to book integrated …
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