Looking back over several years of articles written for Rail Engineer covering the European Train Control System (ETCS), it is somewhat depressing to observe that none of the predictions for system introduction have come to …
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Using a car frame, boat hull, or phone case as a supercapacitor (Anthropocene)
Using a clever combination of materials and design, engineers have made a battery-like device that is strong enough to provide mechanical support. A new battery-like energy-storing device is also tough enough to provide protection and …
Continue readingHS2 – A High Speed Beeching
We have noticed a plethora of different analyses and realisations of the impacts of the recently-announced HS2 Phase 2 cancellation. Initially, there was a new article about it almost every day. Lately, it has slowed …
Continue reading$12B Brightline West new passenger railway advances (RailwayAge)
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 …
Continue readingNew 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 …
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