Trains have become essential means of transportation for cities and countries, significantly reducing the use of cars and contributing positively to environmental improvement.
The goal of some railway line projects, including high-speed rail, is to raise the bar even higher on sustainable mobility, striving to anticipate a greener future.
1 – Brenner Base Tunnel, Italy
In the heart of the Alps, Webuild has built and continues to work on several sections of the Brenner Base Tunnel, set to become the longest railway tunnel in the world.
Among these is the Mules 2-3 Lot, the main section on the Italian side, which involves the construction of over 65 kilometers of excavated tunnels and the use of cutting-edge mechanized technologies. It represents both an engineering challenge and a concrete step toward green transportation.
The project as a whole will connect Italy and Austria, reducing travel times and road traffic, with clear environmental benefits.
2 – Naples-Bari High-Speed Railway Line, Italy
The new Naples–Bari high-speed, high-capacity railway line is one of the most strategic infrastructure projects in Southern Italy. Built by Webuild for RFI, it will connect the two cities in about two hours, promoting regional integration and economic growth across the Mezzogiorno.
The 145 km route crosses inland and hilly areas, featuring viaducts, tunnels, and newly designed stations. As part of the European TEN-T corridor, the project aims to enable more sustainable mobility, with an estimated reduction of over three million tons of CO₂ by 2047.
3 – Shinkansen, Japan
In Japan, JR East has launched an agreement with Tohoku Electric Power Company and JERA to power part of the Shinkansen network with green energy: solar and biogas energy.
The initiative is part of the journey toward carbon neutrality for Japan rail. It aims to make railway infrastructure greener by integrating renewable energy into buildings and stations.
This project combines energy innovation with sustainable transport, projecting rail lines toward a zero-emission future.
4 – Indian Railways Solar Project, India
In India, Indian Railways inaugurated its first solar-powered DEMU train, marking a concrete step toward greener rail transport.
The train, equipped with photovoltaic panels on its roof, reduces diesel use and carbon emissions, transforming a traditional vehicle into a symbol of sustainable mobility.
The project is part of a broader plan to integrate renewable energy across the entire national railway network, making public transport more efficient and accessible. A simple yet powerful gesture: clean energy, everyday transport, real impact.
5 – Green Train Project, Sweden
In Sweden, a true “train of the future” has emerged thanks to a collaboration led by Bombardier Transportation, designed to run on existing lines while reducing energy consumption, noise, and maintenance costs.
The project has developed new aerodynamic solutions and more efficient traction systems, demonstrating that rail transport can be fast, cost-effective, and sustainable at the same time. An important signal: not just technology, but a concrete commitment to increasingly green transportation.
