Wabtec Corporation’s Trip Optimiser has surpassed 1.6 billion kilometres in travel, resulting in large fuel savings and emissions reduction for mining companies in Australia.
First launched in 2009, Wabtec’s Trip Optimiser is a smart cruise control system for trains that studies terrain, train make-up, speed restrictions and operating condition to calculate an optimum speed profile.
It automatically controls locomotive throttle and dynamic brakes to reduce fuel burn and provide efficient train handling.
To date, the 12,000 locomotives that have installed Trip Optimiser have saved about 752 million gallons of diesel and have avoided releasing 7.7 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
There are currently 23 customers located across five continents using the software, with Gina Rinehart’s Roy Hill and rail freight business Pacific National currently using it in Australia.
“This billion-mile accomplishment is a tribute to our customers and our team of innovators,” Wabtec president of digital intelligence Nalin Jain said.
“Trip Optimiser has become an integral locomotive operating system and an industry standard for railroads to efficiently manage the performance of their trains.
“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.”
Alongside helping customers save fuel and reduce emissions, the software improves train handling, enables train automation, delivers consistent velocity performance, and reduces wear and tear, all while being EPA-certified for 10 per cent fuel savings.
“We are dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions and pioneering initiatives that leave a lasting, positive impact both operationally and environmentally for our customers,” Jain said.
The Trip Optimiser isn’t the first time Roy Hill has utilised a product or solution manufactured by Wabtec.
Both companies celebrated the debut of the FLXdrive battery locomotive last November. It was the world’s first 100 per cent battery-powered, heavy-haul locomotive for a mainline service.