On-road trials for the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) system are set to take place within months. Councillors will be asked to approve a short stretch of trial usage on Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria …
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Monday’s Friday Reads – 6 January 2025
• Royal Mint launches £2 coin to mark the Railway’s 200th anniversary (Rail UK) • Paris & Berlin high-speed train link launches w/ fares from €59 (Euronews) • Cars Need Buttons, Not Touchscreens, for Safety …
Continue readingREM Part Deux – Montréal’s new automated metro expands
Montréal’s Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is becoming known for its automated metro operation, and its extensive reuse of existing railway and highway infrastructure. We look at how the opening of the next branch of this …
Continue readingResurrecting Railways: Lessons from two Scottish Projects (RailEngineer)
The DfT’s “Restoring Your Railway” initiative has raised hopes of extending England’s rail passenger network. Yet Scotland has led the field in expanding its passenger network. This article describes the two largest completed projects and …
Continue readingVery Light Rail – VLR – an update on 2 train designs (RailEngineer)
Revolution VLR Malcolm Dobell described the Revolution VLR (RVLR) in Issue 193 (Nov-Dec 2021). Design of this demonstrator vehicle started in 2018, construction in 2019, and the vehicle was completed in 2021. It was then …
Continue readingNYC’s Run-Down Port Authority Bus Terminal Gets Approval for $10 Billion Revamp (CityLab)
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey finally secured the green light to start its $10 billion replacement and expansion of the world’s busiest bus terminal. The FTA announced final go-ahead following environmental reviews. Makeover …
Continue readingLet’s Get Metaphysical – Patron Saints of Railways & other Transport Modes
Who watches over us from the Heavens when we travel? We take a non-denominational look at the Transport Spirit World. It is now time to look at some divine transport intervention, delving into the beatified …
Continue readingNew track sleepers could slash carbon on rail network (RailTechnology)
Network Rail’s Wales and Western region has developed a new type of sleeper which unlocks new environmental benefits. The region worked with Network Rail’s Technical Authority to create ‘hedgehog’ sleepers – so called because the design looks …
Continue readingThe vision behind London’s safe cycling evolution & future: Will Norman interview (Zag)
London is in the midst of a cycling revolution. With a Cycleway network that’s surpassed 400 kilometres, the capital city now boasts bike lanes that are officially longer than the London Underground. Zag turns to London’s …
Continue readingNovel software to assess TfL train platform interface clearances (RailwayGazette)
TfL is a longstanding client of D/Gauge engineering and consultancy services, and is now also using the Cloud-based gauging platform which has been configured to suit its clearance standards, reporting outputs, and vehicle models. As well …
Continue readingEV batteries might last a lot longer than we thought (AirQualityNews)
Researchers in America have found that the way we have been testing the lifespan of electric vehicle batteries is flawed and most may last around 40% longer than previously thought. The traditional way to test …
Continue readingMetro Map Colour-Coding: Effect on Usability in Route Tracing (DiagrammaticRepresentation)
Abstract. Does the choice of colour-coding scheme affect the usability of metro maps, as measured by the accuracy and speed of navigation? Using colour to differentiate lines or services in maps of metro rail networks …
Continue readingThe 7th trolley:motion electric bus conference report (UrbanTransport)
What could be a better place to hold this year’s electric bus conference organised by the trolley:motion association than the Czech capital Prague? Not (only) due to its tourist appeal, of course, but above all because of …
Continue readingWashington DC Union Station renovation project is making slow progress (Axios)
Why it matters: Union Station is already a critical part of travel infrastructure for the DMV and the Northeast Corridor, and the renovation project promises to triple passenger capacity and turn the station into a high-speed rail hub. State of play: After …
Continue readingSubways, Buses, & Bike Lanes Scored Billions in Local US Ballot Wins (SupplyChainBrain)
While most of the country was transfixed by the presidential vote earlier in November, voters in Nashville quietly supported a major transit plan by a 2-to-1 margin after roundly rejecting a similar one in 2018 …
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