Transport is responsible for one quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. While companies have touted electric vehicles and sustainable aviation fuel as ways to cut emissions from air and road travel, reducing the climate effects of rail transport has received relatively little attention.
A Canadian start-up wants to reduce that impact. RailVision Analytics in Montreal has developed artificial intelligence-enabled software to help locomotive engineers make small adjustments in train driving that could lead to big savings in diesel fuel.
That could help freight and passenger trains cut into the estimated 100 million tonnes of planet-warming gases released into the atmosphere every year.
“It is just like Google Maps,” says Dev Jain, founder of RailVision Analytics, of his AI application that can be downloaded on a tablet and run offline. While Google Maps tells automobile drivers to turn right or left, RailVision’s app guides locomotive engineers to “stay idle” in the next mile or “increase speed”.
Essentially, the idea is to enable locomotive engineers to eliminate wasteful practices and use invisible forces that could assist their driving. If you’ve driven a car, you are probably familiar with the law of inertia discovered by Isaac Newton in 1686, which states a moving object will continue in the same direction unless a force affects it.
That means a vehicle can stay in motion – in other words, coast – without the use of manmade propulsion until friction or other forces stop it.
But “driving a train is like driving a roller coaster”, Mr Jain says. The length of trains means that when trains are travelling on tracks where the elevation changes, often, some rail cars will begin climbing uphill while the rest are still going downhill.
That poses a tough question for locomotive engineers – should they coast or pull the throttle for more horsepower?
To solve those puzzles, RailVision collects data from rail operations to simulate train dynamics and uses an algorithm to determine the most fuel-efficient driving pattern. While the AI solution is still in its infancy, Mr Jain says it helped Metrolinx, a government agency that serves millions of passengers in the province of Ontario, to save more than 1.5 million litres of diesel fuel during a one-year experiment.
RailVision also counts Via Rail Canada, the country’s main intercity passenger train operator, as an early adopter.
Trains are arguably the most climate-friendly way of getting around. According to the International Energy Agency, rail travel releases 22 grams of carbon dioxide on average per passenger-kilometre globally, which is dwarfed by the 123g generated by air travel, and the 145g per passenger-kilometre from journeys in cars.
Diesel, though, is a particularly dirty fuel. Unlike Europe and Asia, where electrification has made headway in passenger rail service, most long-haul trains in the US and Canada rely on diesel fuel – a status that is unlikely to change any time soon, according to Bruno Idini, a transport analyst with the IEA.
That’s because running trains on electricity requires a costly infrastructure upgrade, and the region’s relatively sparse passenger service can’t justify that investment, Mr Idini says. It’s also expensive to build electric rail networks for freight trains to bring goods to cities and towns scattered across vast distances.
Although some railway companies have begun replacing diesel with lower-emission biofuel, that replacement remains “a drop in the bucket”, he adds, citing its high price and limited supply alongside other constraints.
AI could offer a relatively affordable alternative to reducing rail’s carbon footprint.
“It was the first time that we have seen an innovation that was easily installed and applicable to our reality,” says Francoise Granda Desjardins, a senior adviser of sustainability at Via Rail, which has been testing RailVision's AI solution since 2021.
Via Rail started its experiment with a simulation trial, during which engineers sat in a replica of a locomotive control cab to drive trains in virtual reality. After six months, the engineers used 15 per cent less diesel by following AI-generated guidance than driving without it.
The company has since tested the technology on passenger trains running between Toronto and Ottawa. While Via Rail has yet to finalise the findings, “it has been a positive experience so far”, Ms Desjardins says.
Founded in 2019, RailVision raised $4 million in a seed round last year from investors including Trucks Venture Capital and Blackhorn Ventures. Since fuel is the second-largest operating expense after labour costs for North America's railroads, the start-up’s solution is turning heads.
Genesee and Wyoming, a multinational railroad operator whose business includes freight trains in Canada, has recently launched a pilot with RailVision for its cargo service between Montreal and Quebec City.
RailVision charges railway companies a subscription fee for its AI guidance. While Mr Jain declined to disclose the pricing, he says the service “usually pays for itself in a few months” in saved fuel costs.
There could be notable climate gains, too. Take Via Rail. If the AI solution were used on all of its trains, the anticipated 15 per cent of fuel saving would translate to an annual reduction of more than 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, the company estimates. That is equivalent to taking more than 4,000 cars off the road each year.
Still, some wrinkles have to be ironed out to tap that potential. Since it is more complicated to drive in the real world than in a controlled environment, there is a gap in performance between simulated and actual train operations, according to Ms Desjardins.
Additionally, saving fuel will happen only if human beings take the AI advice. As safety regulations prevent locomotive engineers from looking at the app or listening to audio alerts while the train is in motion, they are asked to memorise all the instructions before departure.
It remains to be seen whether locomotive engineers would be willing to improve fuel efficiency in their everyday work or put their full trust in AI in the first place.
To reach net zero emissions, rail transport ultimately will have to move away from fossil fuels. But until that happens, “technologies like the one from RailVision are really helpful”, Ms Desjardins says. “If we go up to 15 per cent fuel reduction, that is significant.”
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs
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More from our neighbourhood series:
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zack%20Snyder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sofia%20Boutella%2C%20Charlie%20Hunnam%2C%20Ed%20Skrein%2C%20Sir%20Anthony%20Hopkins%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m, Winner SS Lamea, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m, Winner AF Makerah, Sean Kirrane, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m, Winner Maaly Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,600m, Winner AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m, Winner Morjanah Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 2,200m, Winner Mudarrab, Jim Crowley, Erwan Charpy
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
THE SPECS
Aston Martin Rapide AMR
Engine: 6.0-litre V12
Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic
Power: 595bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh999,563
UAE squad to face Ireland
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
TEST SQUADS
Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Shafiul Islam, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.
Australia: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson and Jackson Bird.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
more from Janine di Giovanni
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
HOW TO WATCH
Facebook: TheNationalNews
Twitter: @thenationalnews
Instagram: @thenationalnews.com
TikTok: @thenationalnews
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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