Amtrak je objavio svoje Izvješće o održivosti za fiskalnu 21. godinu koje prikazuje projekte održivosti u Amtrakovim regijama i operacijama. U izvješću se nalaze pojedinosti izmjerenog napretka Amtraka prema godišnjim i dugoročnim ciljevima održivosti koji obuhvaćaju emisije stakleničkih plinova, potrošnju dizelskog goriva i električne energije.
"Poticanje održivosti u Amtraku znači transformaciju korisničkog iskustva, smanjenje našeg ugljičnog otiska i širenje usluge na nova tržišta diljem Amerike", rekao je Stephen Gardner, izvršni direktor Amtraka.
"Prepoznajući hitnost djelovanja sada, Amtrak je spreman promijeniti način na koji se naša zemlja kreće."
Danas je međugradsko putovanje Amtrakom čistije i održivije od većine alternativa. U prosjeku, Amtrak usluga je 46% energetski učinkovitija od putovanja automobilom i 34% učinkovitija od domaćeg zračnog putovanja. Na elektrificiranom sjeveroistočnom koridoru, putovanje Amtrakom emitira do 83% manje emisija stakleničkih plinova u usporedbi s putovanjem automobilom i do 72% manje emisija stakleničkih plinova nego letenje.
Amtrakova potpuno elektrificirana usluga također pruža ekološku korist od nulte emisije ispušnih cijevi što poboljšava kvalitetu zraka u gusto naseljenim urbanim područjima koja opslužuje.
Cleaner, more climate-friendly equipment: A significant share of Amtrak‘s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)-provided funding will support the procurement of new train equipment. On the NEC and various State-Supported routes, this equipment will include new trainsets, including some dual-power equipment that can run on electric or diesel and other dual-power equipment that can run on battery or diesel. On Long-Distance routes, IIJA funds will support the continued procurement of fuel-efficient, Tier 4-compliant ALC-42 locomotives, which emit 89% less nitrogen oxide and 95% less particulate matter than the diesels that they are replacing.
Expansion of energy-efficient passenger rail service: Large increases in population and travel demand, demographic shifts, congestion and changing travel preferences mean that Amtrak’s legacy route network does not fully meet the changing needs of the traveling public. For example, Texas and Florida, the nation’s second and third most populous states, have a combined population of just over 50 million, but those two states are served by just six Amtrak routes, some of which do not operate every day. In FY21, Amtrak released a corridor vision called Amtrak Connects US, to develop and expand intercity passenger rail corridors. Providing intercity passenger rail service to the 50 largest metropolitan areas, Amtrak’s vision aims to add service to 160 new communities, create 39 new routes and enhance 25 routes. A historic investment in expanding passenger rail, IIJA funding signifies the important role trains play in the future of sustainable transportation.
Improved capacity, reliability and performance on existing routes: Guided by the Northeast Corridor Commission’s Connect NEC 2035 service development plan, the IIJA investments will make the Western Hemisphere’s busiest, highest-speed rail corridor an even more efficient, effective and resilient mode of transportation—taking countless cars off the road, driving down carbon emissions and showing what sustained, robust funding for rail could achieve in other parts of the country.
Acela solar-powered gates: In 2021, Amtrak designed and deployed innovative, solar powered technology to improve security on our Northeast Corridor (NEC) Right of Way (ROW), prior to the upcoming launch of the historic new Acela service, advancing safety and sustainability together.
“Providing high-quality, low-carbon rail service that takes people out of cars and planes is one of the most efficient ways to drive emissions reductions,” said Dennis Newman, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Planning and Accessibility at Amtrak.
“Through more and better service, we will give additional people a chance to pitch-in and fight the climate crisis by choosing rail.”
