Fig.: Stadlerrail

DB's maintenance and track work vehicles are to be equipped with a new version of Stadler's European Train Control System. Eight "Guardia" type vehicles are to be delivered to Deutsche Bahn soon, with an option for up to 72 more agreed upon.

Vertiports are take-off and landing sites for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, air taxis, and drones. Siemens and a provider called Skyway now plan to jointly develop the energy supply, charging procedures, and infrastructure for flight operations.

Photo: BPW

Thermo King, the specialist for temperature-controlled transport, recently put three new refrigerated trailers equipped with the Advancer "AxlePower" energy recovery system from Bergische Achsen KG (BPW) into operation in the Netherlands. The trailers are operating for the country's largest supermarket chain.

Photo: Boeing

NASA, Boeing, and other industry partners are working on technologies to reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of single-aisle aircraft by up to 30%, using a "Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW)"demonstrator.

The digital transport provider, with its fleet of over 9,000 trucks, will soon be transporting 1 million full truckloads annually across Europe. The planned acquisition of up to 600 electric trucks seems like a drop in the ocean in comparison. The company is also working with Scania to develop the charging infrastructure.

New lock construction

What Rotterdam is to Switzerland's connection to the world's oceans, the so-called "hinterland transport" along the 727 km of the Elbe is to Hamburg (695 km of the Rhine are navigable). The fuel efficiency of inland shipping provides a boost for further construction projects. If the water level is sufficient, that is...

Billion-dollar contracts in railway technology often generate synergy effects among suppliers. And sometimes, these companies even surpass their country of origin in terms of technological advancements. This is now the case on the Nile, where Kontron was awarded the contract for the GSM-R digital communications network for the Egyptian high-speed rail project.

 In the testing laboratory. Image: BMJ

In times when concerns about physically demanding jobs, such as those common in logistics, lead to the use of exoskeletons and power suits, unusual methods of relief also attract attention. One almost legendary idea came in 1971 from a British comedy troupe including John Cleese and Michael Palin. Now, this unusual proposal has been medically examined. The result: Not so bad at all. 

With the optimization of existing drive systems, the testing of new drive technologies, and an 8 percent reduction in fuel consumption in the new engine generation, Scania continues to see itself as a leader in the heavy commercial vehicle sector in Switzerland. This will also include a significant number of battery-powered vehicles in 2022.

2014 in Azerbaijan...

Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) has signed long-term contracts with Stadler for several hundred sleeping and couchette cars, including a 20-year full-service agreement. Delivery is planned until 2030. A similar agreement with Azerbaijan worked quite well in 2014. A production plant is to be established in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana.

Photo: Gaiser

Swiss Post continues its acquisition spree. The transport company Gaiser, based on the German-Swiss border (61 employees), has been part of Swiss Post since the beginning of the year. Likewise, the freight forwarding company Nolden from Kerpen-Türnich near Cologne, with 50 employees, was also acquired. Further developments are eagerly awaited.

 With the “smallest smart city in the world”, Bouygues Energies & Services is currently presenting intelligent solutions in Niedergösgen for site operators, municipalities and cities that want to reduce their ecological footprint and manage infrastructures more energy-efficiently.

Photo: Ferag

On the roofs of the conveyor technology specialist Ferag in Hinwil, the installation of the announced photovoltaic system is underway, covering an area of ​​approximately 9,000 square meters, equivalent to the size of 1.2 football fields. The work is being carried out in phases and is expected to be completed in May 2023.

The costs are roughly equivalent to those of the next moon mission: The US Postal Service (USPS) plans to invest approximately $9.3 billion to electrify at least 45,000 of its 66,000 new delivery vehicles scheduled to enter service by 2028. This was announced by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in Washington.

Photo: DHL

DHL Parcel has taken delivery of six Volvo electric trucks in the British capital, which are scheduled to enter service in January 2023. Later in the year, 30 new liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks for long-haul transport will also be added to the fleet.