Energy Efficient Travel

Amtrak welcomed aboard more than 25.4 million passengers during Fiscal Year 2005, representing the third straight year of record ridership growth. During FY05, Amtrak used fewer gallons of diesel fuel than in FY04, thanks to improved operating practices and conservation measures.

Despite carrying more passengers on more trains, Amtrak reduced its diesel fuel use by about 3.2 million gallons or 5% in FY 2005. This was achieved by reducing the number of locomotives and by instituting national fuel conservation practices. Total diesel fuel use was 66.6 million gallons in FY 2005.

Through conservation, Amtrak is using 10% less diesel fuel, but the cost has increased by $43 million in two years.

Amtrak Fuel Facts

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has reported that Amtrak - on an energy consumed per passenger-mile basis - is 18 percent more energy efficient than commercial airlines. According to DOE's Transportation Energy Data Book, Amtrak energy intensity was 2,935 British Thermal Units (BTUs) per passenger-mile and commercial airlines were 3,587. Commuter rail was 2,751 and automobiles were 3,549 BTUs. The DOE figures are from calendar year 2003, the latest available.

Amtrak is less vulnerable to swings in crude oil prices than commercial aviation. The Air Transport Association reports fuel costs are about a quarter of the cost of an airline flight, while energy use (electricity purchased for propulsion on the Northeast Corridor and diesel fuel used nationwide) is less than six percent of the Amtrak FY 2005 operating cost.

Unlike commercial aviation, which mostly uses highly refined jet fuel, Amtrak uses diesel fuel produced at a higher volume per barrel of crude oil.

Current Initiatives

Amtrak has recently revised an operating policy to reduce the amount of time that a powered locomotive sits idling and is installing a new automatic shut-off system in its diesel locomotive fleet.     

Increased use of dynamic braking, which involves the electric traction motors in locomotives, provides resistance to the rotating wheel axle. This method of slowing trains is more fuel efficient than braking with power applied.

The introduction of Acela Express high speed trainsets and other new and remanufactured electric locomotives has enabled Amtrak to reduce energy consumption by eight percent through the use of a regenerative braking system. This braking system returns electric energy overhead to the catenary power system and replaces some of the electrical energy consumed.

Amtrak recently introduced 80 new vehicle carriers for the Auto Train. These are substantially lighter than the ones they replaced and have helped reduce annual diesel fuel usage by about 640,000 gallons - while carrying more vehicles.

With a state grant from the California South Coast Air Quality Management District, Amtrak is retrofitting a switch engine with RailPower Company's hybrid "Green Goat" technology. The hybrid locomotive will be used in the Los Angeles Yard and will reduce fuel consumption by 75 percent and emissions by 80 percent.

Amtrak will substitute electric locomotives for diesel locomotives on the Keystone Corridor between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pa., improving fuel efficiency and schedules - while reducing emissions.

Station Services

• Help with baggage during station hours
• Enclosed Waiting Area
• Restrooms during station hours
• Payphones during station hours