The UK has set climate goals to help keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, which can be achieved only by a shift in the most common transportation modes. Authorities face the challenge of encouraging residents to leave the car at home and use public transit like trains and trams. To do this, the rail network will need to expand, including more frequent and longer trains. Accommodating these requires upgrading existing infrastructure with new platforms and platform extensions.
However, traditional rail platform construction is often lengthy and disruptive and generates significant carbon emissions, often embodied in the building materials, particularly concrete and steel. These emissions, along with emissions from cars, contribute to climate change and air pollution, harming both community health and the environment.
Arcadis experts helped Scott Parnell Ltd develop an innovative sustainable alternative to standard platform construction: Footprint Modular Platform. This project is the result of a collaboration between Footprint Civil Solutions (promoter), Rosehill Rail (manufacturer), Scott Parnell (distributor), and Arcadis (designer). The low-carbon structure is composed of individual blocks made from recycled tire rubber, making them relatively lightweight, easy to transport, and quick to install. Built according to Network Rail’s specifications, the Footprint Modular Platform can be used across the UK.
Compared to traditional platforms, Footprint Modular Platform offers a significantly smaller carbon footprint. Building a 36-meter platform with this low-carbon method saves 25 tons of carbon emissions. The rubber blocks also reduce installation time in several ways. First, the construction process is less weather-dependent than concrete-laying. Second, off-site modular manufacturing enhances the components’ consistency and quality, minimizing the risk of delays. Third, the lightweight components are easier to handle and faster to install, eliminating the need for heavy lifting equipment.
This new rail platform construction method can significantly ramp up rail capacity across the UK and encourage more public transportation use. This shift away from single-owner vehicles helps lower carbon emissions and promote a cleaner environment.
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