Comparative study of hauling capabilities of Railways traction

systems vis-a-vis Road transport

1.0 Rail transport is almost 6-10 times energy efficient

compared to road transport in terms of;·energy consumed~ (Mega
Joules)/Net tonne km (NTKM} as may be seen f.rom below> ·,.-

Mode of *Energy consumed/NTKM km

transport in Mega Jbules (lVIJ);
Rail 0.12 to 0.39
Road 1.13 to 1.58

*(Ref Para 3.2 (a) Chapter-III of National transport development policy·

committee- working group on Railwiiys Fin'al report June 2012 and Planning
Commission approach paper for XII five yearplan}.

2.0 Within the railway system, electric traction is ·3 times

energy efficient --compared to die~el for fr~i.ght as may be seen ffbril
below: ·

Energy Parameters -Diesel. '• .......

-··
_Electric)·,. -
e
Specific Energy /Fuel Consumption 2.2 lit:' -- 6:-43 Kwh
(per 000 GTKM)

Calorific value of fuel

35.9 :MJ /lit-- ·:3.o MJ./Kwh-
I' . '
:
Energy consumed/000 GTKM 79.0 23.15

Ratio of energy consumptio,n _ 3.4 =···_·1

3.0 One loaded freight train~. with:· 59 BOXiN·i + 1 Brake van is hauled
by one Electric loco of 5000 I 6000 Horse Power (HP) or two ··Diesel f

locos of 3000/4000 HP .. Loarl:ed <SC+9+1 train with 59' BOXN wa·gon

weigh 5400 tonnes ,.and an~eitr.rpty . train in the· same formation weighs···
()
1340 tonnes, thus net payload carried by one train· is 4060 torines.
The details are given· below:

59 BOX-N + 1 BV with CC+9+1 loading-~~--. -i

(i) Gross weight of one -BOX::;N::~w.a.;gon; .. 91.28 t '
(ii) Tare weight of one BOX-N wa_goh ,>.· ~. ~:~~ · 22~47 .f; /
..··.
(iii) Pay load per wagon ; '·
68 31 t
Net carry1ng capac1ty. _oif.,: tra1:q.
. . . ' • ' ·I ;

(iv) 59 X 68.8 = 4060 t'

For carrying the safue payload)~ \kr~f need about. 400.'. tru:cks ~of
carrying capacity 10 tonne~~{anci havtng 150 HP)e:acrt. 'Thus, a total-&f
60,000 HP is needed by road vehicles against 6000 HP by Railway
system for carrying the same pay load.

Conclusion:-

1. Rail system is highly energy efficient compared to road

as it needs only 10o/o the horse power of the road to
carry the same pay load. One electric or two diesel
locomotives replace 400 trucks of 10 t capacity for
carrying 4060 t pay load.

2. Within Railway system, electric traction is 3 times

energy efficient compared to diesel.

3. Rail transport is not only environment friendly, but

·cheaper also and uses indigenous source of energy, e
including renewable energy, thus enhancing energy
security and reducing dependence on imported fossil
fuels.

*********