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9/13/2021
Wabtec announced it signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and with Carnegie Mellon University to decarbonize freight rail and improve safety.
Wabtec's MOU with Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) aims to pursue zero-emission battery and hydrogen freight strategies, as well as increase rail utilization across North America. Wabtec's MOU with Carnegie Mellon formalizes their joint aim to create technologies designed to decarbonize freight-rail transport, improve freight safety and generate greater rail network utilization, Wabtec officials said in a press release.
Carnegie Mellon, G&W and Wabtec are working to launch the Freight Rail Innovation Institute — a first-of-its-kind effort to create zero-emission locomotives, develop technology that increases freight-rail utilization and improve safety by 50% by 2030, representatives from the organizations said.
G&W’s Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad will pilot technologies developed by the institute, including a zero-emissions battery and hydrogen-powered train that will be tested on 200 miles of track between Pittsburgh and Buffalo, New York, within the next three years.
"Through this partnership, we plan to transform the next generation of freight-rail transportation by adopting advanced technologies that can eliminate emissions and increase rail utilization without requiring significant new rail infrastructure," said G&W Chief Executive Officer Jack Hellmann. "The end result will be a cleaner environment, more competitive transportation for our nation’s industrial producers and a freight-rail system that remains the most efficient in the world."