The latest advancements in rail technology are not only preventing accidents and boosting operational efficiency, but also playing a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
At a time when North American railroads are spending billions to improve sustainability through programs to modernize locomotives and switch from diesel to renewable energy sources, innovative AI-assisted Computer Aided Dispatch and Positive Train Control software is providing cost-effective solutions for rail operators who want to improve fuel efficiency, optimize infrastructure capacity, and reduce their carbon footprint.
Road to Rail: An environmental no-brainer
The green credentials of railroads are well publicized: trains are on average three to four times more fuel efficient than trucks, so transporting freight by rail rather than road is a substantial win for sustainability1. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) estimates that, if rail moved just 10% of the freight shipped by the largest trucks, greenhouse gas emissions would fall by more than 20 million tons annually -- the equivalent of taking four million cars off our highways1.
But, of course, there's still a lot to be done to cut emissions and reduce reliance on diesel power. A 2022 rail sustainability study by the Boston Consulting Group identified four main categories of improvements required for carbon reduction: improved energy efficiency, more efficient asset utilization, electrification, and shifting to renewable energy2.
The push for more sustainable rail networks intersects with the business case for more efficient rail networks: both aims can be met by investing in new rail technology to make more effective use of existing rail infrastructure and resources.
Advanced PTC and CAD Technology: Benefits for Railroads
The digital transformation of railroads is being accelerated by new generation Positive Train Control (PTC) and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) software which incorporates artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and cloud technology.
The latest integrated systems provide dispatchers with a consistent stream of usable real-time data and greater visibility over rail networks. Benefits for railroads include:
Optimized train schedules and routes
Improved network velocity
Overall improvement in train traffic flow
Improved rail safety for workers and passengers
Reduced risk of human error
Ensuring trains consistently run at optimal speeds
Lower fuel consumption
Better utilization of track and terminal capacity
Reduced bottlenecks, delays and dwell times
Less stop-start and more on-time arrivals
In short, the latest PTC and CAD platforms are playing an integral role in maximizing the use of existing resources to increase performance. Improving overall network efficiency in turn results in better fuel efficiency, optimization of infrastructure capacity, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Read about how Computer Aided Dispatch works.
Tracsis are leaders in the development of reliable, user-friendly PTC systems that incorporate the latest innovations in Computer Aided Dispatch and Back Office Service (BOS) technology.
Our graphics-based mainline CAD platform seamlessly integrates different train types, territories, and rulesets, so railroads only need to operate and maintain one system. Primed to prioritize network safety, velocity, timeframes and resource management, DOC® Dispatch integrates more efficient resource planning from either the cloud or on premises.
Find out more about Computer Aided Dispatch. Download our guide.
Sources:
1AAR, June 2023 report: ‘Freight Railroads & Climate Change’ www.aar.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AAR-Climate-Change-2023-Report.pdf
2American Journal of Transportation, August 21, 2023, https://www.ajot.com/premium/ajot-is-there-a-track-to-net-zero-for-us-railroads
