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Wabtec Corporation’s innovative Green Friction braking solution is set to begin commercial operations on the RER A rail line in Paris. Partnering with Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM) and RATP, this new technology aims to significantly improve air quality in rail tunnels by reducing particle emissions from braking.
Key Highlights:
- Deployment on RER A Line: All MI09 trains on the RER A line will use Green Friction brake linings starting this year, benefiting over one million daily passengers.
- Extensive Testing: Wabtec’s Green Friction materials underwent rigorous testing on ten RER A trains for over a year, covering more than a million kilometers.
- Emission Reduction: The tests confirmed an average reduction in emissions by 70 percent, with peaks up to 90 percent, without compromising safety or performance.
- Global Interest: Other metro networks in France, Europe, and Asia are showing interest in adopting this technology.
Green Friction brake linings will be installed on all MI09 trains operating on the RER A line this year, impacting over one million daily passengers. This commercial rollout follows extensive testing conducted in partnership with RATP and IDFM. Over a year, Wabtec tested the Green Friction materials on ten RER A trains, covering over a million kilometers. The results showed the material’s ability to reduce emissions from train braking by an average of 70 percent, with reductions reaching up to 90 percent. Importantly, these benefits were achieved without compromising safety or performance and with minimal impact on operating costs.
“Particulate matter emissions from train braking are a worldwide challenge,” stated Philippe Nogues-Cubelles, Vice President of Friction at Wabtec. “Green Friction tackles the source of the fine particle problem. Today, Wabtec is the only company in the rail industry offering operational, rapidly deployable, and cost-effective equipment to reduce pollution levels linked to braking.“
Green Friction represents a unique range of materials designed to eliminate fine particles emitted during braking. It combines Wabtec’s expertise in friction materials with significant investments in accurately measuring braking-particle emissions. Launched in 2019, the Green Friction product portfolio is designed to meet current and future regulatory standards concerning air pollution and friction performance.
Several metro networks in other French cities, as well as in Europe and Asia, have expressed interest in Wabtec’s innovative Green Friction technology for their fleets.
About Wabtec
Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) is dedicated to creating transportation solutions that move and improve the world. As a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail industries, as well as the mining, marine, and industrial markets, Wabtec has been a rail industry leader for over 150 years. The company envisions achieving a zero-emission rail system in the U.S. and worldwide. Visit Wabtec’s website at www.wabteccorp.com.
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