How rail technology enables sustainability by reducing carbon emissions

With many countries committing to 2050 net-zero carbon emissions targets, industries are investigating how to minimise their carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) emissions to help meet this ambitious goal. Conceptual technologies, often either unproven or not fully developed, are sometimes mooted as the answer to reaching a zero-carbon economy.

However, while these conceptual technologies are being developed, there are innovative, proven solutions that are available today, tested by innovators and early majority companies, that significantly reduce CO2-e emissions.

Rail transport, for both passengers and freight, is already one of the most efficient and least energy-intensive forms of transport. But rail operators can extend the advantages of rail transport by implementing existing technology to further increase efficiencies – thereby reducing costs and becoming even more environmentally friendly.

This article examines how the implementation of more efficient train driving, using Connected Driver Advice Systems (C-DAS) technology, can significantly reduce CO2-e emissions – while at the same time, providing significant fuel and energy use savings.