Users, Community and Environment Other Interests and Future Research

In addition to the current portfolio of projects, Theme C: Users, Community an Environment is developing ideas for future RRUK research projects.

Britain's railway is essential to the country's economic success, its social development and environmental sustainability.  Rail requires less land than road to move equivalent volumes and is more energy efficient than air or road.  Half of all train kilometres run are by electric tractionc, the energy sources for which produce far fewer harmful greenhouse emissions than other modes.  However, in order to maintain this advantage and to realise the government's aspirations on the carbon economy and a reduction of pollutants by a shift from road and air to rail transport, more must be done about the remaining fraction of diesel traction and other energy consumption on the railway.  This is of long term importance to the UK railway industry in particular as it lokos increasingly unlikely that industry, political and financing mechanisms will be able to achieve major electrification projects.

• In the short term the impact of changes in fuel types must be evaluated in terms of changes in efficiency and pollutant emissions.  What changes to engine design and fuel type / use should railways undertake?

• In the longer term, alternative energy sources must be identified and developed.  The rapidly advancing field of fuel cell technology should be considered for its ability to provide auxiliary or even motive power in the medium to long-term.  This could also deliver benefits in engineering simplification of traction equipment and reductions in whole-life costs.

More detailed information will be available to members of the Users, Community and Environment Theme Network