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  • 🛑 Next Stop: Biometric-Powered Railways

🛑 Next Stop: Biometric-Powered Railways

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RailPulse Tech
January 29, 2025

🐝 Hello, The rail industry is making strides in innovation and sustainability.
Saarstahl Rail secured a EUR 1 billion deal with SNCF Réseau to supply eco-friendly steel rails, cutting CO₂ emissions by 200,000 tons annually. In the UAE, plans for a high-speed rail link between Abu Dhabi and Dubai promise 30-minute travel, a USD 40 billion economic boost, and alignment with Net Zero 2050 goals.

Meanwhile, the UK rail freight sector is urging cost reforms to remain competitive with road transport.

TOP STORIES

🛤️ Saarstahl Rail Secures EUR 1 Billion Contract with SNCF Réseau for Green Rails Saarstahl Rail has signed a six-year, EUR 1 billion deal with SNCF Réseau to supply CO₂-reduced rails made from recycled steel using electric arc furnace technology. The partnership cuts annual emissions by 200,000 tons, ensures 1,000 jobs in France, and supports SNCF Réseau’s decarbonization strategy. Saarstahl’s innovative process reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 70%, advancing sustainable rail infrastructure and eco-friendly mobility.

🚄 Etihad Rail's High-Speed Project to Connect Abu Dhabi and Dubai 
Etihad Rail has unveiled plans for a high-speed passenger service connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes, expected to boost the UAE economy by USD 40 billion annually. The project, integrated with metro and bus networks, will feature six key stations and run on electric power as part of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 goals. With designs approved and construction yet to begin, the network aims to link all seven emirates, support economic diversification, and transport 36.5 million passengers annually by 2030.

🛢️ Rail Freight Sector Demands Action on Rising Costs 
The UK freight sector is calling on the government to address the growing cost gap between rail and road freight, which has risen three times faster in the last decade. Rail Partners urges the government to implement policies that reduce rail freight costs, retain long-term access rights, and support growth targets, as rail freight is vital for decarbonization, economic growth, and reducing road congestion. Without these measures, the sector risks being priced out of competition.

Regional Highlights

Europe:

  • 󠁪󠁭󠀱󠀲󠁿🇬🇧 Greater Manchester unveils plans to integrate rail into the Bee Network by 2028, creating a London-style transit system with improved stations, seamless ticketing, and reduced car reliance.

  • 🇭🇺 Stadler marks a milestone with the unveiling of its first double-deck bodyshell produced in Hungary.

  • 🇲🇰 🇧🇬 The first section of the Skopje-Sofia railway, part of the pan-European Corridor VIII linking the Adriatic and Black Seas, has been inaugurated by North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.

  • 🇬🇧 A controversial 650-acre rail freight hub in Leicestershire, set to create thousands of jobs, faces strong opposition due to concerns over traffic congestion, safety, and local environmental impact.

  • 🇬🇧 Lord Hendy highlights the UK railway's deep-rooted issues, calling for a shift from blame to problem-solving culture as the government works towards creating a unified rail system with Great British Railways (GBR).

Asia:

  • 🇰🇷 South Korea’s rail network expands with the completion of a second high-speed route from Seoul to Busan.

  • 🇨🇳 China has revealed the CR450 prototype, a next-gen bullet train capable of reaching speeds up to 450 km/h, poised to become the fastest commercial train globally and boost China's railway technology innovation.

North America

  • 🏖️ The California High-Speed Rail project has generated nearly USD 22 billion in economic activity, creating 109,000 job-years and significantly benefiting disadvantaged communities, with plans to deliver over USD 220 billion in total impact by project completion.

  • 🇺🇸 At a House subcommittee hearing, the rail industry pushed for continued grants, faster approvals, and fair competition with trucking.

  • 🇺🇸 A second Trump administration is expected to reduce federal support for passenger rail, cut Amtrak funding, focus on deregulation, and shift toward private or state funding for local transit systems.

😷 Biometric technology is transforming the rail and freight industry by improving security, efficiency, and passenger experience. In passenger services, facial recognition and digital ID systems streamline ticketing and boarding, reducing fraud and wait times. In freight, biometric solutions secure cargo handling and automate worker identification, boosting productivity and accuracy. Decentralized digital identities using blockchain and Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) address data security concerns, protecting sensitive information and mitigating breach risks. These advancements create a more secure, efficient, and digital-first rail network.

Key Benefits

  • Hygienic: Reduces touchpoints for safer, post-COVID travel.

  • Enhanced Security: Strengthens identity verification and reduces fraud.

  • Efficiency: Speeds up boarding and freight handling.

  • Data Protection: Ensures privacy with decentralized IDs and ZKP.

  • Better Experience: Streamlines ticketing and verification processes.

Real-World Examples

  • SNCF Digital ID: France’s SNCF is testing digital IDs via the France Identité app, allowing passengers to use QR codes for seat verification, with a full rollout expected by 2025.

  • Facial Recognition in Tokyo: Keisei Electric Railway’s Skyliner trains use facial recognition for seamless boarding from Narita Airport to Tokyo.

  • KAI Facial Recognition: Indonesia’s Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has onboarded 10.3 million passengers since 2022 with facial recognition, ensuring secure data storage and privacy.

Why It Matters

These innovations offer faster, contactless service, improved security, and robust data protection while enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency.

Statistics of the Week

  • In 2024, Russian Railways saw freight volumes hit a 15-year low due to workforce shortages, sanctions, and military priorities, further exacerbating economic struggles amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine.

  • U.S. rail traffic saw a significant 25.9% increase in the week ending Jan. 18, 2025, driven by a rise in both carload and intermodal traffic compared to the same week in 2024, with North American volume up 25.1%.

  • Travel trends for 2025 indicate continued growth in rail transport popularity in Europe, with 73% of respondents believing rail should be cheaper than air travel and 49% prioritizing price when choosing transport; Trenitalia, RegioJet, and ÖBB top the rankings, with Flixtrain and Ouigo leading in ticket affordability, while Eurostar ranks poorly due to high prices and low reliability, and SBB is the most punctual operator in Europe.

Upcoming Events

Influential Voices

  • Aishwarya Karkera: Her viral video showcases Japan's Chiba Urban Monorail, the world's longest suspended monorail. The video highlights the train's unique inverted design, where tracks are built under a bridge, giving the illusion of an "upside-down" train.

  • CoasterFan2105: The video showcases trains in Northern California, filmed in January 2025, featuring Amtrak services like Capitol Corridor, San Joaquins, Coast Starlight, and California Zephyr, along with commuter lines such as Altamont Corridor Express, Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit, and Caltrain's new electric trains.

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