The International Light Rail Industry
Outlook and Challenges for Manufacturers
There’s never been a more urgent need for effective light rail systems. The appeal of light rail to commuters has always been its convenience, efficiency, and cost – riding the trolley or metro has long been an intrinsic part of urban dwellers’ daily lives. And light rail doesn’t just benefit the individual commuter.
Light rail systems help to reduce roadway congestion and improve air quality, while providing safe and affordable transportation for hundreds of thousands of people every day. As governments consider the environmental impact of public transportation, light rail has emerged as an attractive option.
A 2019 IEA report indicates that rail systems transport 8% of the world’s passengers, while accounting for just 2% of the world’s total transport energy demand. As urban centers continue to grow, the light rail industry is projected to grow as well, as city and regional planners look for cheaper, energy-efficient alternatives to underground railways, and commuters seek more appealing modes of public transportation than buses or taxis.
These benefits translate into greater demand for light rail manufactures who can produce quality rail cars that are dependable and keep pace with technologies and innovations in the commuter rail industry. While such demand is good for manufacturers, it also brings ongoing challenges, especially when it comes to working with various suppliers.
- Instead of a reactive supplier, they need a proactive one who can help co-design and produce systems with high value-added services and efficient processes.
- To control costs they need suppliers who can offer components that contribute to light-weight modular solutions.
- Due to the many international projects, they need a supplier that understands and can meet international standards.
- To meet the increasing number of safety and environmental regulations, they need suppliers with fire-safe products and safe recycling processes.
- As part of ensuring the longevity of rail projects, they need to be able to rely on a supplier who uses durable, easy-to-maintain products that are also easy to refit and retrofit.
These are but a few of the considerations rail manufactures have to consider when selecting the right suppliers. The right supplier is a critical factor in ensuring a successful light rail project.
Source: International Energy Agency
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All information contained herein is intended exclusively for current employees of General Dynamics and is not meant for public consumption or for parties outside of General Dynamics.
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