Enhance the Environmental Performance of Railway Infrastructure

Abstract

In recent years, environmental awareness has increased: governments, the public and industry now take environmental issues seriously. Railways are no exception. Infrastructure managers have made efforts to systematically manage environmental issues of their assets. Railways have considerable effects on the environment. Because of superior energy efficiency it is easy to forget that there is still huge potential for railways to have a negative environmental impact, largely related to extensive land use and large amounts of materials in use. Recently, infrastructure managers have started introducing environmental management systems into their business processes, based on the ISO 14000 standards, to mitigate environmental risks posed by infrastructure. Infrastructure organisations have developed tools to assist the environmental management, but they have been doing this in isolation from each other, resulting in a lack of compatible language and solutions, such as a lack of common guidelines for environmental procurement. The InfraGuidER Coordinated Action compiled requirements for environmental management processes of European Infrastructure Managers. InfraGuidER compiled understanding of environmental aspects of railway infrastructure and how to minimise the environmental impacts from operation, construction, maintenance, upgrading and disposal. This includes knowledge of significant environmental issues of railway infrastructure material, including system boundaries, stocks and flows, and an overview of applicable management processes, international legislation and standards. A major InfraGuidER delivery is the proposal for an UIC guideline for eco-procurement of railway infrastructure materials and components, similar to already existing UIC leaflet 345 for rolling stock. The tools presented within InfraGuidER can improve the environmental impact of railways by supporting environmental decision making processes for railway infrastructure renewal and planning. A new board within the European Railway Purchasing Conference will further deal with these issues. InfraGuidER also compiled proposals for future research activities addressing identified, significant needs concerning the environmental performance and environmental monitoring of railway soil pollution.