Quantifying and Improving the Energy Consumption of Railroad Track Maintenance and Material Transportation
UTC Seminar Series Spring 2025
April 17, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
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Download iCal FileA new framework and proof-of-concept tool is under development for life cycle assessment (LCA) of railway track construction and maintenance, to more completely quantify the energy efficiency benefits of railway transportation.
The final UTC Seminar Series presentation of the Spring 2025 semester introduces the LCA framework and the tool, and uses case studies to demonstrate the share of energy consumption and emissions associated with track material manufacture, transport and installation.
To reduce the energy intensity of track material transportation, railroads may consider implementing Battery Electric Locomotives, but the energy savings economics of this technology are highly sensitive to route topography, battery capacity and charging strategy.
Date posted
Apr 11, 2025
Date updated
Apr 11, 2025