Railroads and Energy Efficiency

Presented on November 18, 2009, by Chris Barkan - UI Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering

Abstract: Rail transportation is widely touted as the most energy efficient form of overland transport with correspondingly low environmental impact. This presentation will consider the basic physical factors that contribute to railroad efficiency. Then it will describe research being conducted by the University of Illinois Railroad Engineering Program to further improve the energy efficiency of railroad intermodal transportation, which is the fastest growing and most energy intensive form of rail freight transportation in North America.

Download slides: http://hdl.handle.net/2142/106701