Railroad Energy Study: Efficiency Improvements. Volume I. Freight Railroading

摘要

The objectives of the study are to: provide a current, comprehensive, and accurate data base of railroad economic activity and energy consumption; describe planned and postulated expansion and the time frame of future developments; identify research and development needs related to improvements in energy utilization; and provide data that the Federal government may use to determine its future role. The study is organized into 4 tasks. This reseach Task III catalogues energy-conserving technological and operational improvements to freight railroading and estimates capital investment, maintenance, life cycle, and operating costs for each improvement where appropriate. The maximum expected improvements in railroad fuel consumption on a national basis are desribed. Energy-saving and operational improvements are reviewed and potential model shifts to railroad freight are discussed. (ERA citation 06:030847)