Wabtec’s Trip Optimizer surpasses 1.6 billion kilometres

Wabtec’s smart cruise control software for trains, Trip Optimizer, used by the likes of Roy Hill and Pacific National here in Australia, has surpassed a significant milestone, operating trains for more than 1.6b km (1b miles).

This is equivalent to more than 40,000 trips around Earth, with 12,000 locomotives using the system worldwide, resulting in 7.7mt in emissions reductions collectively.

Wabtec Digital Intelligence president Nalin Jain says the “billion-mile accomplishment is a tribute to our customers and our team of innovators”.

“Trip Optimizer has become an integral locomotive operating system and an industry standard for railroads to efficiently manage the performance of their trains,” he said.

“It is building upon the rail industry’s leadership as the most efficient mode of transporting goods by enabling railroads to significantly cut down on unnecessary fuel consumption, minimise emissions, and optimise their travel routes.”

Trip Optimizer is used by over 20 railway operators across five continents with the system considering terrain, train make-up, speed restrictions and operating condition to calculate optimum speed profile.

The software automatically controls locomotive throttle and dynamic brakes to reduce fuel burn and provide efficient train handling.

To date, the fleet of locomotives installed with Trip Optimizer has saved about 752m gallons of diesel, enough fuel to generate nearly 10b KWh of electricity or power almost 900,000 homes for a year.

With 7.7mt of greenhouse gas emissions reduced, this is the equivalent of removing emissions from about 1.7m cars for a year.

“Trip Optimizer is delivering meaningful returns for our customers,” Mr Jain said.

“The system is EPA certified to reduce emission by 10% by reducing fuel consumption enabling railroads to shrink their carbon footprint and reduce operating expenses.

“We are dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions and pioneering initiatives that leave a lasting, positive impact both operationally and environmentally for our customers.”

Wabtec launched the Trip Optimizer system in 2009 and now runs locomotives globally including all North American Class 1 railroads and rail operators in key markets like Brazil and Australia.