It may be Halloween today, but we’re also wrapping up Energy Awareness Month here at Wells + Associates, where we have a particular taste for improving transportation sustainability and efficiency.
One transportation project we feel compelled to point out is a cool one in Vermont. With the support of local authorities, AllEarth Rail is aiming to bring commuter rail service to numerous Vermont cities using mint condition 1950s-era diesel locomotives purchased from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system.
Having taken delivery of the rails cars this year, AllEarth hopes to have a demonstration in place by next month. The service has numerous goals and features, including:
- The use of rail coaches that don’t require a locomotive (as Amtrak’s do) and can use bio-diesel
- Connections between Burlington, Montpelier, St Albans, Middlebury, and Rutland
- Use of routes used by Vermont Rail System and the Connecticut-based New England Central Railroad
- Bicycles allowed on board!
To learn more, check out Vermont Business Magazine’s video:
W+A Supports Engineers Without Borders
Earlier this month, our offices held an Energy Awareness Month dress-down day (and some of us “wearing” green!) to raise some cash for Engineers Without Borders USA. EWB-USA helps to build a better world through engineering projects that empower communities to meet their basic human needs. We are fans of their work and encourage you to visit their web site: https://www.ewb-usa.org/