Four Reasons Why Every Rail Yard Must Go Green
The rail industry, like every other industry, is beginning to adapt its practices to keep up with the times. The hot button topic in rail’s 21st century transformation is the implementation of green rail initiatives, aimed at reducing each rail yard’s carbon footprint.
Canadian Pacific, CN, BNSF, along with the other Class I railroads, have made their intentions to transition for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future well known.
When you consider the four main reasons why rail yards need to go green, a climate-positive future for rail is inevitable.
Better for the Environment
Let’s start off with the obvious; less hydraulics and gasses in the rail yard will lead to a significant reduction in emissions and a yard’s carbon footprint.
Going Green Can Save Rail Yards Significant Amounts of Money
Oftentimes in business, we know that money is ultimately the bottom line, even when a specific product could make a task more convenient.
When it comes to rail yards going green, switching from hydraulic and gas-powered equipment to battery-operated products, not only significantly reduces emissions but saves yards tons of money in the process.
Think about it like this; Class I rail yards spend millions of dollars each year on hydraulic fluid and gasses. All of that money can be saved by eliminating gas powered tools and switching to alternative equipment.
And that’s not the only way going eco-friendly can save money.
Hydraulic leaks could seep into the ground water supply and require special removal from the EPA which could cost thousands of dollars. How often do hydraulics leak into the ground you ask? One of the world’s biggest hydraulic hose manufacturers published an article stating that 370 litres of hydraulic equipment leaks from equipment on a yearly basis. That’s a shocking number when you consider even the 1 litre is capable of polluting 1m litres of water.
Safer to use
There is absolutely no reason for rail workers to continuously put themselves in danger on the job every day. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happens anytime they use hydraulic tools.
Have you ever looked at one of the safety labels on a hydraulic tool? They’re there because hydraulics and gasses are extremely toxic. A simple hydraulic leak that comes into contact with skin can have significant ramifications on a person’s health, leading to disease or injury.
If something like this were to happen, it could lead to a lawsuit. So in a way, this section kind of circles back to the aforementioned “can save your rail yard tons of money” section.
Happier Employees
Why wouldn’t a company want to make their employees happier? Research from Oxford University suggests that workers are 13% more productive when they are happy.
The removal of heavy and bulky hydraulic equipment will make a rail worker’s job much easier to complete. In some cases, alternative maintenance of way equipment like spike pullers and tie drills can weigh up to 40 lbs lighter, putting less stress on a rail worker’s body.
If healthy equals happy and happy equals more productive, then the abandonment of hydraulics in a rail yard in favor of an eco-friendly overhaul is a win-win situation for every rail yard in North America.