Introduction

Trains are one of the most sustainable and efficient forms of transportation, but they can be made even more efficient with the help of mobility tech. From AI-powered scheduling systems to automated ticketing systems, there is a wide range of technology that can be used to make rail travel more efficient and sustainable.

Mobility tech can also be used to improve the customer experience by providing real-time updates on train schedules and delays. This will not only make it easier for travelers to plan their trips but also reduce the environmental impacts associated with long-distance travel.

Sustainability is the buzzword of our times, and transportation has a significant impact on it. As we move towards an eco-friendly future, it is crucial to choose sustainable travel tech for our daily commutes or main travel transport in foreign countries. Trains are fast(not everywhere), and a cost-effective way of traveling that is often overlooked.

Trains and Affordability

Trains are not only sustainable but also affordable. Train travel is often less expensive than flying, and it offers more comfort and convenience. Trains also provide more flexibility in terms of travel times, routes, and destinations. With trains, you can travel to remote locations that are not accessible by other modes of transportation, but of course, sometimes you will be forced to take a plane.

Trains and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

One of the most significant benefits of trains is their low carbon footprint. Trains produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions per passenger mile than cars or airplanes. According to the International Energy Agency, the transport sector accounts for approximately one-quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. By choosing trains, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Trains also use significantly less energy per passenger mile than any other mode of transportation, making them one of the most energy-efficient ways to travel.

Trains and Air Pollution

Air pollution is a severe problem in many parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is responsible for seven million premature deaths every year. Trains produce fewer air pollutants than cars, airplanes, or buses. They also emit less noise pollution, making train travel a more peaceful and relaxing experience.

Companies focusing on improving consumer train tech for better travel.

One such startup is the famous Hyperloop, which is developing a high-speed train system that will be powered by renewable energy sources. There are a lot of similar startups focusing on this technology for example https://www.nevomo.tech/en/ in Europe, and they have their own small successes. Some wonder if the invention of Hyperloop wasn’t Elon Musk’s marketing stunt but the technology is interesting. We need to remember that there are some “older” solutions like Monorails and Maglev that should first be developed to a cheap and sustainable standard before we could pursue such a lofty idea. 

Another startup is Trainline https://www.thetrainline.com/, which offers a mobile app that allows users to easily book train tickets and access real-time train information. Similar is https://www.hyperdia.com/ in Japan but they stopped showing live train information and right now the alternative is https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/. 

There are also a lot of similar train ticket companies to the Trainline helping users book trans-European passes or global tickets.

• https://www.eurail.com/en
• https://www.raileurope.com/en
• https://www.omio.com/
• https://benerail.com/
• https://www.mytrainticket.co.uk/

Asia - Booking multi-country train tickets in Asia can be a daunting task. With its vast network of train lines and different ticket regulations, it is hard to find a ticket pass that covers all the countries you want to travel through. Unlike in Europe, there are almost no options for trans-Asia tickets/passes that can cover multiple countries at once. This makes it difficult for travelers to plan their journeys without facing any hiccups along the way. However, with a bit of research and planning, one can still find ways to book multi-country train tickets in Asia. By understanding the various regulations and looking out for special offers, travelers can save both time and money while getting the most out of their trip across different countries in Asia. Some local and multi-country examples:

• https://www.easemytrip.com/railways/
• https://transasiatrain.com/
• https://www.transsiberianexpress.net/
• https://www.asiatrains.com/
• https://www.jrpass.com/ 

Americas - The United States is the most car-centric country on Earth but they have a fairly developed rail network, thus traveling by train is difficult but not impossible. There are good connections between the main cities and train lines also provide continental journeys, like California Zephyr by Amtrak. When booking train tickets in the Americas we recommend booking train journeys offered by travel agencies like for example https://www.railbookers.com/ or https://www.greatrail.com/, (both also have global reach).

Top Startups improving the Rail industry.

Now let’s switch from using trains for traveling to the proper rail industry. The rail industry is a key factor in promoting sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. It has been proven to be one of the most efficient forms of transport for both people and goods, with trains being able to move large volumes of people and freight over long distances with minimal environmental impact. 

Below is a selection of startups helping bring the rail industry into the new more digital era:

• Rail-Flow - Many rail customers rely on a manual paper-based workflow. Rail-Flow digitizes rail freight management in purchasing and tender management. This enables customers to compare requests and create or update offers within a single platform.
• Passengers -” digitize mobility through innovative solutions for transport companies, designed to boost business performance and enhance passengers’ digital experience”. It has developed a hardware cloud-based solution to deliver reliable WiFi and infotainment. Its management system can handle up to 1,000 vehicles across train and bus networks and includes an open API that can integrate with third parties for advertising and real-time information such as timetables and onboard resources.
• TUBR - creates a predictive analytics platform to make predictions that help transport management improve operations and the passenger experience. Another function of TUBR is that they provide a mobile app that helps navigate the busy times on the London Underground.
• Neuron Soundware - develops predictive maintenance and remote equipment diagnosis. It uses IoT sensors and AI to detect audio signals of machinery and recognize any anomalies before they lead to mechanical malfunctions that can result in downtime and costly repairs. Use cases range from escalators to pumps, compressors, and HVAC, all of which, upon malfunctioning, can cause rail problems and delay trains and passengers. It allows them to monitor even machines that standard methods cannot handle, meaning Neuron soundware can monitor a wider range of machines more efficiently than any other solution
• SIUT - Started in the Deutsche Bahn incubator then went broadly into Mobility tech. SIUT makes precast concrete elements transform through the targeted integration of optical fibers into luminous displays in railway stations, airports, and public spaces. Concrete becomes an information and communication medium. Through the targeted integration of optical fibers, the surfaces of our precast concrete elements are transformed into luminous displays. This serves both design purposes and the vandalism-proof and weather-resistant provision of information in public spaces. The natural material properties of the concrete block as well as its look and feel remain completely untouched. By displaying dynamic arrows, crosses, lines, or pictograms, our smart concrete not only finds application as a guidance and information system but also as an innovative security concept.
• RailPod - Boston-based start-up RailPod’s aim is to make global rail infrastructure safer, cost-effective, and efficient through the use of automated inspection drones. RailPod’s drones perform daily track inspections with the help of advanced sensor technology and a cloud-based data processing service, providing real-time information to operators about track conditions.
• RailHero - An automated rail compensation app for delayed commuters, the RailHero app was launched to help passengers get the reimbursement they are owed in the event of train delays and cancellations.

For founders wanting to enter the Rail industry, there are some accelerators and hubs like https://www.railinnovationgroup.com/start-up-rail/,  https://www.dbmindbox.com/#page, and https://www.railwayinnovationhub.com/en/.

Conclusion

In terms of travel tech, trains and tickets are a large portion of the travel market. With better access to mobile and web applications providing information, routes, and sale points we can imagine that it will keep growing with the global tourism industry. Talking about the Rail industry we can notice that they are catching up with the times and we can expect more and more startups to try to innovate and disrupt this market. 

Trains are a great sustainable travel tech that everyone should consider. They are not only eco-friendly but also affordable and convenient. By choosing trains, you can reduce your carbon footprint, improve air quality, and have a comfortable and relaxing travel experience. So, the next time you plan a trip, consider taking the train and contributing towards a sustainable future.

If you are interested in traveling by train we recommend reading well-detailed trip plans by Seat61 https://www.seat61.com/. For more mobility and travel news, we recommend visiting one of the best-focused sites on the topic - https://tnmt.com/.

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