Every day, whether we realize it or not, our life is made better because of railroads. Railroad infrastructure is critical, and without it, the supply chain would quickly screech to a halt. Finding inventive and sustainable ways to remove and reuse old rail equipment keeps the whole supply chain running efficiently.
One risk to smooth railway operations is expired rail ties – more than 22 million ties are retired each year. By giving a second, financially viable life to old railroad ties, TiEnergy takes the burden of millions of old ties off the railroad operators’ hands. Here are three ways TiEnergy helps ensure railways can operate safely and sustainably.
Safe Operations:
Aging railways are hazards waiting to happen. Old rail ties and outdated rails can cause derailments, which in turn can potentially damage goods, injure passengers and staff, and cause supply chain delays. In 2023 alone, the Federal Railroad Administration recorded 742 derailment incidents in the U.S., with track defects listed as one of the leading causes. Preventative maintenance and tie replacement are key to maintaining safe railways, but disposing old ties can create new safety hazards and more headaches, for railroad executives. TiEnergy takes care of the old ties and grinds them into a marketable product called TIEROC for use by landfills.
Reliable Operations:
In the second quarter of 2023, passenger trains were delayed by a total of 1.42 million minutes. While there are a variety of reasons for these delays, including weather, and track maintenance, modernization can help prevent delays in both passenger and freight train routes. TiEnergy operates at the end-of-life stage for old ties or post-consumer wood, and starts a new cycle of usability through innovative uses for rotting and expired wood ties, allowing railroads to maintain a place at the center of the circular economy while providing more reliable operations.
Sustainable Operations:
In addition to safe and reliable operations, railroads are also focused on environmental goals. Replacing old equipment is important for track maintenance, but this creates hard-to-dispose of waste. Most railroad components can’t be disposed of through standard means or in consumer landfills. TiEnergy not only finds a new path for disposal, the process saves 3.06 pounds of carbon per tie. This savings allows railroads to accomplish two important tasks at once – they use an optimal solution for disposal while showing quantifiable metrics for sustainability targets.
It’s no secret that U.S. infrastructure is aging. Roads, bridges, the electric grid, and railroads have been in place for decades, and in some cases, centuries. Updating infrastructure is only one piece of the puzzle. Keeping vital infrastructure operable and stable is a joint effort that requires participation by many stakeholders. TiEnergy is glad to do its part.
For more information, contact Steven at skyle@mwcompanies.com
