Leading transport technology trade fair InnoTrans is taking place 20-23 September 2022 in Berlin, bringing together the latest developments and technologies in the railway sector. This year’s focus is the future of mobility in times of climate change, making it one of the most important events for evo-rail to attend.
rail-5G is the world-first track-to-gigabit train solution to power onboard Wi-Fi designed by rail experts for passengers, rail operators and the planet. Our technology can be powered by renewable energy and, by making rail travel more attractive, will help to create a modal shift from more carbon-intensive modes of transport.
Get in touch to arrange a meeting with our experts
Learn more about rail–5G here or keep on reading to learn more about transport’s impact on climate change and how to encourage more people onto your railways.
The link between transport and climate change
Climate change is affecting almost every country on every continent. The current warming of the planet is happening at a rate not seen in the past 10,000 years, and there’s growing evidence that this steady rise in global temperatures is impacting the number, frequency and duration of natural hazards.
The human and economic costs of this are staggering. International thinktank the IEP predicts there will be 1.2 billion climate refugees – people displaced due to climate change and natural disasters – by 2050.
We all know more can be done to slow down the increasing damage to our planet. And it’s a well-known fact that the transportation sector is the fastest growing source of emissions worldwide, accounting for 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions – behind only the power sector. Passenger cars are the biggest source of emissions, creating 41% of global transportation emissions.
To have any chance of meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the transport sector needs to drastically reduce its carbon footprint, but current transportation systems are disconnected from our aspirations for a sustainable future.
Getting on track to net-zero
While the take-up of electric vehicles and sustainable aviation fuels is a welcome step, we cannot wholly rely on these to decarbonise our transport systems.
A shift from dependency on cars towards a less carbon-intensive mode of transport, such as rail, is essential.
The more environmentally conscious among us have already begun to shift, with research showing that rail passengers are willing to spend longer on a train to avoid more carbon-intensive modes of transport, such as flying. But, if this is to significantly impact working towards our sustainability goals, it needs to be a much faster, bigger shift than the current rate.
Empowering more planet-friendly travel choices
All too often, alternative low or zero-carbon proposals are perceived by consumers as being less convenient, inflexible, and offering less personal space when compared to private transport choices such as cars.
The only way to persuade passengers to choose the planet-friendly and achieve a modal shift is to ensure that rail is the most attractive form of travel for the passenger – so that they feel empowered to make a greener choice.
Alongside seating, cleanliness, and waiting area facilities, fast and reliable Wi-Fi services contribute to passengers’ overall comfort and journey experience. With the right technology, passengers can hold video calls, stream and download online content and browse the web with the speed we experience at home or in the office.
Supercharging a modal shift to rail
Drastically improving train Wi-Fi can make journeys a more enjoyable experience, helping to transform rail travel from derived demand into a valued activity in its own right.
“One of the great advantages of rail travel is that passengers can use their travel time productively and enjoyably, whether for work or relaxation. Faster and more reliable Wi-Fi on trains would strengthen this advantage, encourage more people to travel by rail, and contribute to a cleaner, greener transport future.”
Paul Tuohy
Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport
It’s no secret that current rail Wi-Fi services don’t come close to reaching current demand from passengers. Less than half of adults are satisfied with current levels of onboard Wi-Fi – but there’s a huge opportunity for rail operators to reap the rewards of delivering on this demand.
Read more about creating a modal shift to rail in this report
Meeting passenger demand presents a huge opportunity for you to secure new and repeat customers. 64% of 16-24-year-olds in the UK; 46% of 16-24-year-olds in France; 68% of 16-24-year-olds in Germany and 70% of 16-24-year-olds in Spain say they would consider choosing to travel by rail if fast reliable Wi-Fi was provided.
With the biggest change taking place in the rail industry in a generation, it’s more important than ever that we make the most of this opportunity to fulfil the potential of rail.
Delivering passenger satisfaction, sustainably
evo-rail is the first telecoms company to provide technology using track-side poles and antennas to deliver consistent, superfastrail Wi-Fi. rail-5G can be delivered as a carbon neutral solution to drive towards net zero targets and the self-powered rail-5G access point makes wireless internet truly wireless and energy-efficient.
Generating speeds 50x faster than mobile-5G at every point in the journey – over and underground – the reliable connectivity enables you to transform your passenger’s experience, your onboard systems and data
rail-5G enables a step-change in passenger experience
- Productive train travel and commuting is made seamless
- Buffer-free browsing, video calls, video streaming and gaming throughout the whole journey
- Improved operations, such as smart ticketing and better accessibility and travel information.
Simon Holmes, Managing Director, evo-rail, said: “If policymakers want to place rail at the heart of their long-term sustainable transport plans, then an emphasis needs to be placed on delivering an enhanced experience for passengers. Improving services for passengers through superfast and reliable connectivity – especially on-board Wi-Fi services – will be the keystone in rail becoming the travel mode of choice.”
Discover more about rail-5g – the Wi-Fi solution made specifically for rail.