Research shorts
New tool supports efficient, low-emission freight pathing
With passengers and goods running side by side on our network, signallers are often faced with difficult train regulation decisions. Do they prioritise the passenger train and deliver travellers to their destinations as swiftly as possible, or do they instead decide to keep the freight train on the move?
On the surface, this question doesn’t seem too complex; the industry standard is to give priority to non-freight trains and keep passengers moving and happy. But when you consider the environmental impact of continuously routing freight trains into loops, a worrying picture starts to emerge.
With more looping comes longer journey times and, as a result, the generation of more CO2 emissions. This carries the potential of causing environmental harm, but it can also discourage goods manufacturers from using rail at all, with many continuing to opt to transport their products by road.
Protecting the environment is one of RSSB’s core objectives, so we’ve conducted some research into the impact of pathing and regulation decisions on service punctuality, fuel costs, and emissions, among other things.
By comparing industry’s current policies with experimental ‘freight-friendly’ policies, we’ve developed a tool for signallers and other operators. They can use this to assess whether, when, and how they can route freight trains in such a way as to reduce emissions (without causing significant delays to passenger traffic).
Overall, this work will be key in RSSB’s efforts to enhance freight performance and competitiveness and reduce the production of damaging emissions.
Research project ‘Guidance for efficient and low emission freight path and regulation policy (T1263)’ is now complete. To learn more about our findings and the tool we’ve developed, go to our website.
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