Space Travel News  
Environmental Awareness Fosters Greater Acceptance Of Light Rail And Undergrounds

Reports on climate change and rising energy costs have raised awareness about the shortage of fossil fuels as well as the importance of a more environment-friendly lifestyle. Congestion and the lack of adequate parking spaces have encouraged people to overcome their reluctance to use urban public transport.
by Staff Writers
London, UK (SPX) Apr 10, 2008
Despite many challenges, the European market for light rail and underground transportation is set to develop. Rising public awareness of global warming and climate change, coupled with efforts to reduce urban congestion, particularly in city centres, will drive market expansion. Simultaneously, the rising potential for replacement orders and growth opportunities in the new EU member states will also positively impact market prospects.

New analysis from Frost and Sullivan, European Light Rail and Underground Market, finds that the market will profit from rising environmental awareness, but will also be influenced by complicated funding questions.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the investment analysis and growth opportunities in the European light rail and underground market, then send an e-mail to Anna Anlauft, Corporate Communications, at [email protected], with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

"The revival of light rail in Europe will continue as public attitudes towards the image of rail-bound public transport have started undergoing a transformation," notes Frost and Sullivan Consulting Analyst Patrick Rehlein. "Amidst the public debate about global climate change, light rail and underground transport is emerging as a modern and stylish alternative, making it incumbent on the industry and transport authorities to leverage this trend and persist with innovation and lobbying efforts."

Reports on climate change and rising energy costs have raised awareness about the shortage of fossil fuels as well as the importance of a more environment-friendly lifestyle. Congestion and the lack of adequate parking spaces have encouraged people to overcome their reluctance to use urban public transport. Stable market growth will be predicated on continued innovation and the availability of government funding.

Despite a promising growth scenario, challenges remain. Most transport operators are public utility companies. Extensions to the network or the replacement of rolling stock require sizeable investments. However, funding is a delicate and complicated process with many parties being involved. Nevertheless, European support programmes such as the Cohesion Fund 2007-2013 offer significant opportunities, especially for the new EU member states.

"In most cases, decisions regarding investment in urban light rail or underground are political issues," explains Rehlein. "Therefore, when a new mayor or city council gets elected, the changed balance of power may result in the cancellation of projects, which have been tediously negotiated with the previously elected authorities."

Ultimately, gaining access to available funding sources will be crucial to market development. Intensive lobbying will be required, particularly in central and eastern Europe, to boost awareness about the importance of modern light rail and underground networks.

Related Links
Frost and Sullivan
Great Train Journey's of the 21st Century



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Fewer Delays On The Railways Thanks To Automatic Advice System
Delft, Netherlands (SPX) Apr 10, 2008
By using an automatic system to advise rail traffic managers, it is possible to limit the consequences of disruptions on the railways. That is the claim by Andrea D'Ariano who has obtained his PhD on the subject at TU Delft. Netherlands Railways (NS) is looking for ways to improve the punctuality of its trains. One possibility is to streamline the sequence of events during breakdowns and delays.







  • SpaceX Conducts First Three-Engine Firing Of Falcon 9 Rocket
  • European Space Truck Jules Verne In Parking Orbit
  • New Purdue Facility Aims To Improve NASA Moon Rocket Engine
  • Space X Falcon 9 Facing More Delays As Shuttle Replacement Looms

  • Vietnam delays launch of first satellite
  • Zenit Rocket To Orbit Israeli Satellite In Late April
  • Successful Qualification Firing Test For Zefiro 23
  • German military satellite launched by Russia: report

  • NASA reschedules shuttle launch date
  • Shuttle Endeavour returns after record-setting mission to ISS
  • Endeavour Crew Prepares For Landing
  • Shuttle Endeavour's landing delayed at Cape Canaveral

  • Astronauts Relish New Asian Space Food As Expedition 17 Docks
  • First Korean astronaut docks with space station
  • The ESA opens a new space laboratory
  • New Station Crew Prepares For Launch Tuesday

  • Hall of fame inducts NASA technologies
  • NASA officials report Goddard 'incident'
  • NASA starts new science Web site
  • Korean space launch inspires ethnic kin in Central Asia

  • Three Rocketeers For Shenzhou
  • China's space development can pose military threat: Japan
  • Cassini Tastes Organic Material At Saturn's Geyser Moon
  • China Approves Second-Phase Lunar Probe Program

  • Surgeons use robots during heart surgery
  • European Space Freighter cleared to dock with ISS: ESA
  • Toshiba robot can do the job of the remote control
  • Jules Verne Set For Next Step On Road To Automated Station Docking

  • Spirit Advances Toward Midwinter
  • NASA Spacecraft Images Mars Moon In Color And In 3D
  • Visting Mars, Again And Again
  • Spirit Phones Home To Reset Clock As Energy Levels Plummet For Mars Rover

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement