The Need for Freight Rail Electrification in Southern California Brian Yanity Californians for Electric Rail
[email protected] May 13, 2018 Executive Summary Full electrification of freight trains is the only proven zero-emissions freight railroad technology. Electric rail propulsion can take several different forms, including locomotives powered by overhead catenary wire, on-board batteries, or more advanced concepts such as battery tender cars and linear synchronous motors. This white paper is largely a literature review of previous studies on electric freight rail in the Southern California region, with information compiled about existing electric freight rail locomotives and systems from around the world. The two main benefits of freight rail electrification in the region would be reduced air pollution, and reduced consumption of diesel fuel for transportation. Electrification of freight rail in Southern California would reduce the public health impacts to local communities affected by diesel-powered freight transportation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions of freight movement. The main challenge for electric freight rail is the high capital costs of electric rail infrastructure, especially the overhead catenary wire over tracks. A variety of options for public and/or private financing of freight rail electrification need to be explored. Electrification of the proposed short-haul rail service between the ports and the Inland Empire, currently under study, is an opportunity for using electric locomotives though the Alameda