Ricardo Aims to Improve Rail Traction Efficiency Through New Study

VAN BUREN, Mich., Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricardo plc, the leading independent provider of technology, product innovations and engineering solutions, today announced a new study that will identify and evaluate measures to improve fuel-efficiency of diesel based traction for the U.K.'s rail network. The study is being conducted for the U.K. Department for Transport (DfT) and is supported by the U.K. Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).

The rail network in the U.K. has experienced rapid growth in passenger and freight services over the past decade, and demand is expected to continue to grow in the foreseeable future. This continued growth is the driving force behind this Ricardo study. As demand for passenger and freight services increases, the need to increase diesel traction efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions becomes critical.

Ricardo will primarily focus on reviewing existing diesel traction technologies and assessing the current levels of efficiency being achieved. This review process will run parallel with the evaluation of current state-of-the-art diesel efficiencies in other sectors such as commercial vehicles and off-highway equipment. This dual-review process will allow for a direct comparison to be drawn between rail and non-rail sectors to identify possible improvements to new and existing rolling stock. The recommended improvements would be made using existing, cost-effective and readily available technologies.

TRL will focus on evaluating current efficiency improvement initiatives and identify, through stakeholder engagement and development of case studies, where these have been successful and where improvements can be made in terms of likely technical and operational incentives and obstacles. Together the partners in the study aim to provide new insights for DfT in the potential future strategic direction of diesel traction on the rail network, with the intention of both improving energy efficiency and reducing operational costs.

Ricardo will be exhibiting at the 2011 Railway Interchange in Minneapolis, MN. on Sept. 18 – 21 in booth 3721. Jim Buchanan, director of rail and vehicle technology at Ricardo will be on hand at the booth to answer questions and discuss the study.

About Ricardo

With technical centers and offices throughout Europe, the United States and Asia, Ricardo provides strategic consulting and engineering expertise to customers in the world's major automakers and suppliers, as well as manufacturers in the military, commercial, off-highway and clean-energy sectors. The company also serves in advisory roles to governmental and independent agencies. Ricardo's U.S. operations, Ricardo, Inc., is headquartered in Van Buren Township, Mich. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com.

About the U.K. Transport Research Laboratory

TRL is the UK's Transport Research Laboratory, recognized worldwide for over 75 years for evidential research and impartial advice across a range of transport disciplines. In recent years TRL involvement in the rail sector has grown rapidly, working with clients in the Department for Transport (DfT), RSSB, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), Network Rail and a range of rail operators, consultants and civil engineers. The TRL portfolio of rail projects includes a range of infrastructure, asset management, resilience, safety, security, human factors and low carbon work. For more information, visit www.trl.co.uk

SOURCE Ricardo