American company Wabtec has announced the implementation of new brake technology in Paris’s rail system, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The new friction materials used in the brake pads are expected to significantly reduce particulate emissions during braking, leading to improved air quality in the tunnels.

The Importance of Environmental Solutions

The issue of ecology is becoming increasingly relevant for megacities each year, and Paris is no exception.

Urban tunnels, where trains operate intensively, are subject to high concentrations of pollutants.

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This is due to the braking systems of the trains, which release particulates during operation.

Wabtec’s solution aims to reduce these emissions by 70-90%, which is a significant step toward improving the environmental situation.

The RER A Line and Its Features

The RER A line, one of the busiest in Paris, stretches 108.5 km and connects the suburbs with the city center.

Trains on this line not only move but also frequently stop at underground stations, emphasizing the importance of a quality braking system.

Thanks to the new technology known as Green Friction, the operation of the line will become more environmentally friendly.

Testing and Recognition

The Green Friction technology has been in development since 2019 and underwent a year-long testing period on part of the train fleet.

The test results showed high efficiency of the new solution. As a result, Paris’s urban and regional transport authorities, RATP and IdFM, recognized Wabtec’s innovation as successful and ready for wide application.

Large-scale Implementation

Starting in 2024, the new brake pads will be installed on all MI 09 double-decker trains operating on the RER A line.

These trains, manufactured by Alstom and Bombardier Transportation between 2010 and 2017, consist of five cars each, and there are 140 train sets in total on the line.

This means a significant part of Paris’s transport infrastructure will transition to more environmentally friendly technologies.

The implementation of Wabtec’s new brake technology in Paris’s rail system is an important step towards improving air quality in the city.

New Wabtec Brake Technology in Paris Urban Rail System
Video: Wabtec

Reducing particulate emissions during braking not only enhances the environmental situation in the tunnels but also positively impacts the health of passengers and metro workers.

Wabtec’s solution demonstrates how modern technologies can be used to address current environmental issues in urban agglomerations.

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