Alternative Propulsion in Railway Passenger Transport – the Way to Green Transport

Abstract

Alternative and hybrid propulsions in railway passenger transport can significantly contribute to the reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants around non or semi-electrified railway lines, what is beneficial for the environment and human health. These new technologies can bring savings in operational and societal costs. The article deals with the comparison of the production of pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions when using different rolling stocks (diesel, hybrid, etc.) on the semi-electrified railway line Vrútky - Horná Štubňa. Based on available valuations of individual types of externalities, the external costs are calculated for different rolling stocks taking into account the parameters of the selected railway line (electrified or non-electrified section of the line, rural or central area and so on).