The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has authorized construction and operation of a modified alignment of the high-speed passenger rail project proposed by private-sector firm Brightline West, subject to environmental mitigation measures. Brightline West says its …
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New Battery-Powered Very Light Rail Train Trials (RailTechnology)
A new deal announced this week will pave the way for trials of innovative lightweight passenger trains that run entirely on battery power. The trains, known as Revolution Very Light Rail (RVLR) vehicles, are expected …
Continue readingElectric “very light rail” units to be tested on UK network (Railway-Technology)
The Revolution Very Light Rail (RVLR) rolling stock will be developed in the UK at TDI thanks to a new funding deal with Eversholt Rail. Eversholt Rail, in partnership with Transport Design International (TDI), will …
Continue readingDieselgate, but for trains: heavyweight hardware hacking (BadCyber)
A train manufactured by a Polish company suddenly broke down during maintenance. The experts were helpless – the train was fine, it just wouldn’t run. In a desperate last gasp, the Dragon Sector team was …
Continue readingRepurposing of wind turbine blades as footbridge structure elements (NewCivilEng)
A transatlantic research network is finding ways to repurpose decommissioned wind turbine blades as footbridges. As the government scales up wind farm development, the challenge of disposing of turbine blades when they reach the end …
Continue readingA Bus is a Bus: The Costs of Excess Customization (EnoTrans)
Bus purchases represent one of the largest investments for most transit agencies in the United States. According to the American Public Transportation Association, in 2020 about 11 percent of all transit capital expenditures went toward passenger bus …
Continue readingNew Eurostar rivals could increase services & cut costs for travellers (Euronews)
Eurostar could face fresh rivalry on its cross-Channel train route. Just last month, new rail operator Evolyn announced plans to purchase a fleet of trains to serve the London to Paris line. Now Sir Richard Branson, the …
Continue readingHS2 digital concrete test to cut carbon (TunnellingJournal)
A successful trial of a ground-breaking digital measuring system for concrete has led to a roll-out across multiple sites on the UK’s HS2 project, cutting carbon and driving efficiencies on the construction project. VERIFI® is …
Continue readingParking under pressure: Why 3 cities raised prices on the best spots (SmartCitiesDive)
Variable-price parking is a new way of valuing urban real estate and incentivizing residents to make different transportation choices, advocates say. Finding free or inexpensive curb parking in a crowded, expensive downtown feels like hitting …
Continue readingThe Evolution of Tunnel Boring Machines (ConstructionPhysics)
Tunneling is an important technology for modern civilization, as a tunnel is often the only reasonable way to create a direct path between two points. When the Hoosac tunnel was completed in 1875, it turned …
Continue readingChanges in motor traffic in London’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (CaseStudiesTransportPolicy)
Highlights Abstract This paper meta-analyses traffic data extracted from monitoring reports for 46 Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes in 11 London boroughs introduced between May 2020 and May 2021. Schemes are controversial with still limited academic …
Continue readingIt’s crazy how much TfL can learn about us from our mobile data (JamesO’Malley)
Big Brother meets Big Data It’s a well known maxim in the tech industry that if you’re not paying for the product, then you are the product. We get to use incredible services like Gmail, Facebook and …
Continue readingOne solution to fight climate change? Fewer parking spaces (Grist)
Less parking could pave the way for denser housing and more accessible public transportation. In the beginning, parking lots were created to curb chaos on the road. But climate change has turned that dynamic on …
Continue readingLondon using eBus pantograph charging to spark a green future (ChargingInfrastructure)
London’s push toward a zero-emission future has reached a significant milestone with the introduction of innovative pantograph technology at Bexleyheath bus garage. This technology facilitates rapid, wireless charging for buses on the all-electric route 132, …
Continue readingWatch the future of bio-based bridges: Video (NewCivilEng)
Witteveen Bos senior design lead Wouter Claasen discusses the adoption of alternative materials, including bio-based composites, for bridges. For over 10 years, research has been conducted on the feasibility of using flax fibers for bridges. This …
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