A number of potential emission reduction scenarios have been tested as use cases for the tool including:
1. Running longer multimodal trains on the route from Southampton port to Trafford Park
By increasing the train length to 832m emissions will be reduced by 13.6% measure in kg per tonne.km. This provides clear evidence over the benefit of train lengthening from an emissions perspective.
2. Determine the lowest emission route from Felixstowe port to Trafford Park
The London route was compared to the Peterborough route and the latter route resulted in 2.5% less emissions. For the first time we can directly compare relative emissions for the train services travelling on different routes, supporting more informed decision-making on routing and pathing options.
3. Using electric rather than diesel traction on the route from Felixstowe to Trafford Park
There are several non-electrified section on this route, totaling a distance of 148 miles (56% of the route). A total of 8,189kWh of energy will be required to get a class 90 train across these sections, with the longest section requiring 3,723kWh (see figure 11). This is beyond the capacity of current battery powered locomotives. Running electric locomotives on this route will reduce emissions by 46% and allow trains to complete the journey 50 minutes faster due to higher performance capabilities. With more than 8,000 freight trains scheduled to use this route in 2022, using electric traction will result in an annual CO2 emissions saving of more than 15 kilotonnes or 4% of the total rail emissions for UK rail freight.
This provides clear evidence of energy requirements to bridge gaps on non-electrified infrastructure. This will provide invaluable information supporting further research and development into new technologies to help to bridge gaps on the network. It can also be used by the infrastructure manager or by Government to inform the sequencing of future electrification programmes, in order to help narrow those gaps and bring them within the bounds of new technologies to bridge. It can also be used by the infrastructure manager or by Government to inform the sequencing of future electrification programmes, in order to help narrow those gaps and bring them within the bounds of new technologies to bridge.
4. Remove a speed restriction and a scheduled stop from the Tunstead quarry to West Thurrock depot route
Remove a 25mph speed restriction and Chinley and a scheduled stop at Toton. This results in a 95kg CO2 reduction or 2%. This provides clear information of the impact of pathing on emissions and how the industry can deliver better outcomes with existing technologies on the current infrastructure.