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Energy Efficiency Assessment of Rail Freight Transport: Freight Tram in Berlin

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  • Mohammad Vajihi

    (Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering (DICEA), Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy)

  • Stefano Ricci

    (Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering (DICEA), Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy)

Abstract

Freight tram systems can potentially reduce commercial road vehicle use and, consequently, reduce congestion, accidents, air pollution, noise levels, and road maintenance costs. This paper explores the new application for the urban rail system as a sustainable solution for urban freight distribution. A significant problem in using rail for urban freight is determining the most efficient tram route, in terms of related costs and accessibility for the distribution centers and end-users. The study takes a systematic approach, based on identifying scenarios, existing tramlines, traveled distances, and time durations, and appraises the scheme through an energy consumption analysis to assess a hypothetical freight tram scheme. In a German case study in Berlin, a freight tram system delivered the goods of five delivery companies from their logistics hubs in the Pankow district to a micro depot instead of to the trucks. Three different path scenarios from logistics hubs to the micro depot were developed, to make comparisons based on energy consumption. Freight tram implementation in Berlin (compared to the current situation) resulted in a reduction of more than 7 tons of CO 2 emissions per year, and 60 road-vehicle-kilometers per day, in exchange for 275 MJ of daily electric consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammad Vajihi & Stefano Ricci, 2021. "Energy Efficiency Assessment of Rail Freight Transport: Freight Tram in Berlin," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-24, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:13:p:3982-:d:587709
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katrien De Langhe & Hilde Meersman & Christa Sys & Eddy Van de Voorde & Thierry Vanelslander, 2019. "How to make urban freight transport by tram successful?," Journal of Shipping and Trade, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 1-23, December.
    2. Niklas Arvidsson & Michael Browne, 2013. "A review of the success and failure of tram systems to carry urban freight: the implications for a low emission intermodal solution using electric vehicles on trams," European Transport \ Trasporti Europei, ISTIEE, Institute for the Study of Transport within the European Economic Integration, issue 54, pages 1-5.
    3. Zhangyuan He & Hans-Dietrich Haasis, 2019. "Integration of Urban Freight Innovations: Sustainable Inner-Urban Intermodal Transportation in the Retail/Postal Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-25, March.
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