While challenging, the transition to net-zero propulsion presents an excellent opportunity to modernize both passenger and freight rail transportation in the United States. The most common and cost-effective decarbonization technology is also the most common …
Continue readingAuthor: Long Branch Mike
What Seoul Does Well in Urban Mobility (OliverWymanForum)
Seoul’s affordable, efficient, and timely public transit system sustains one of the highest ridership levels in the world. An unlimited mass transit pass that would allow riders to use all subway and bus lines and …
Continue readingHow building more urban rail could slash CO₂ emissions (WorldBank)
The climate crisis is getting worse, with both the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and COP28 in its final agreement emphasizing the urgency of steep greenhouse gas emissions reductions to keep global warming below 1.5°C as …
Continue readingBuilding Out of a Tight Spot: One way to build right next to elevated rail (UrbanOmnibus)
We first met Rachel Ehrlich while exploring some of the new buildings squeezing into New York City’s churchyards and around its elevated train tracks. The work of the architect, who specializes in affordable and supportive housing at Dattner Architects, is …
Continue readingLithium, the False Profit of Electrification: Video (PeterZeihan)
Lithium has played an important role in the green transition and remains a crucial resource for the future of electricity; however, it’s not going to be all sunshine and rainbows for lithium… While lithium is …
Continue readingFast Charge Battery Train Trial: Video (IMechE)
GWR presentation to the IMechE about the Greenford branch Fast Charging Trial. In collaboration with the former company Vivarail, GWR will trial new fast charging battery-charging technology on its network, paving the way for future …
Continue readingGlobal Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) reveals 15 rail innovations it’s funding (NewCivilEngineer)
The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) has revealed the 15 rail innovations that will be made reality at the facility, including an underpass made with hyperTunnel’s swarm construction. GCRE was established by the Welsh …
Continue readingThe Cycle of Unwalkability (Transportist)
Traveling through Mumbai one notices many things. One of those things is many, many pedestrians walking in the street (or on the motorway) amidst traffic (motorcycles, three-wheelers (auto-rickshaws), cars, trucks, buses, etc.). On the one …
Continue readingElectric hydrofoil pilot shuttle starts in San Francisco Bay (TechCrunch)
Electric boat startup Navier has landed the first official pilot program for its hydrofoiling watercraft, partnering with Stripe to bring passengers from San Francisco’s outskirts to the downtown area. Stripe will pay Navier to shuttle employees from …
Continue readingNYC Subway State of Good Repair to Cost $43B over 5 Years, 80% of budget (CityLab)
New York City’s public transportation system will need an estimated $43 billion for capital repairs during the next five years, according to a new analysis by the state’s comptroller. Thomas DiNapoli’s projection comes as the Metropolitan Transportation …
Continue readingHS2 reveals shortlist for People Mover at Solihull Interchange (RailTech)
Interchange, Airport, West Coast Main Line station, and the National Exhibition Centre. Not much point in having a high-speed railway on the doorstep if you have to walk between the plane and the train (or …
Continue readingThe Explosion in Costs & Timelines for US Transit Projects: Video (Nandert)
Costs have been rising and timelines lengthening to infuriating extremes for transit projects in the US. What’s causing this, and how can it be solved?
Continue readingCovenants, Easements & Wayleaves: Mind the Gap of London Infrastructure Knowledge (Part 3)
This series has revealed a hitherto unknown complex and often murky relationship between London’s underground railways and its environment. Unsurprisingly in the twenty-first century, with so much of London having been tunneled, excavated, bombed, developed, …
Continue readingSelf-driving cars still aren’t the future (Disconnect)
A Cruise disaster deflates the robotaxi hype once again Since March 2018, when an Uber test vehicle killed a pedestrian in Arizona, there’s been a notable chill on the future of self-driving vehicles. Even Elon Musk’s claim …
Continue readingMexico aims to compete with Panama Canal by building freight railway (FreightWaves)
With drought at the Panama Canal and conflicts in the Red Sea and other global shipping lanes disrupting trade, officials in Mexico predict a golden opportunity for the country’s $2.8 billion Isthmus of Tehuantepec’s Interoceanic Corridor (CIIT) …
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