You are connecting via IP recognition from. If you wish to proceed, click on Connect. If you prefer to log into your personal account, please sign in below. Data is now available through the. Urban and high-speed rail infrastructures have scaled up rapidly over the past decade, laying the foundation for convenient, low-emissions transport within and between cities. Rail emissions per passenger kilometre are currently on average around one-fifth those of air travel.
Emissions from electrified passenger rail are even lower, particularly when powered by renewables or nuclear power. The low energy and CO2 intensities of rail transport make promoting rail a promising strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce emissions. However, like all other transport infrastructure, rail investment is expensive. High levels of infrastruture utilisation are necessary for rail construction projects to pay off, both economically and environmentally.
Although rail is already the most electrified transport subsector, now all new tracks on high-throughput corridors will have to be electric to achieve the Net Zero pathway. On rail lines where throughput is too low to make electrification economically viable, hydrogen or battery electric trains coupled with partial track electrification and well-located charging points will need to replace diesel trains.
Europe targets modernisation of the rail network and India rapid electrification, while China is expanding its network with a focus on high-speed rail. Rail is the least emissions-intensive mode of passenger transport β its expansion will help reduce overall emissions. Urban rail networks such as metro and light rail tend to have significantly lower emissions than other motorised urban transport modes, especially private cars, as they are powered by electricity, have lower friction losses, and exploit high occupancy rates.
On a well-to-wheels basis, rail emissions per passenger kilometre average around one-fifth of those of air travel. Emissions from electrified passenger rail are even lower when powered by renewables or nuclear power. Expanding rail networks and their use will be important for achieving emission reductions to get on track with the NZE Scenario.
