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Sustainable Mobility Center aims to transform how the world moves

The new center aims to make mobility systems more sustainable and efficient by leveraging AI, autonomy, digital infrastructure, and data-driven decision-making. Stanford faculty members across five schools are affiliated with the center, which will be funded through corporate partnerships.

SourceStanford University·DateMay 18, 2026

Transportation noise: An overlooked risk to heart health

Research suggests living in areas with high levels of transportation noise is associated with a significantly higher risk of major adverse cardiac events. Loud road, aviation, and rail noises were linked to increased risks of heart attack, stroke, or coronary revascularization. Different types of noise may come with unique health risks...

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 24, 2026
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Carbon footprint of conference travel

Researchers at ISTA quantify the environmental impact of international conference travel, finding that train travel can significantly reduce carbon emissions. The study shows that traveling to an overseas conference generates a substantial carbon footprint of four to five tons per participant.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalMagnetic Resonance·TypeCase study·DateNov 10, 2025

PSU research shows Portland transit-oriented developments reduce car trips, especially at affordable housing sites

A new study by Portland State University's Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) reveals that transit-oriented developments (TODs) in the Portland metro area generate significantly fewer car trips than previously estimated. At affordable housing sites, car trips were reduced to only a quarter to two-fifths of expected rates.

SourcePortland State University·DateSep 25, 2025

Stepping for digital rewards

A study found that users who exchanged daily walking steps for digital train tickets increased their walking by an average of 626.2 steps/day. Those using shopping coupon incentives walked 715.2 steps/day more on average than non-users. The results suggest effective promotion of active travel through well-designed mHealth apps.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 30, 2025

Study finds dramatic boost in air quality from electrifying railways

A new study found that electrifying the Caltrain commuter rail line reduced riders' exposure to black carbon by an average of 89%, cutting excess cancer deaths by 51 per 1 million people. The study's findings support the case for electrifying U.S. rail systems, which still rely on old diesel locomotives.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·TypeObservational study·DateApr 16, 2025
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Incheon National University develops advanced communication technology for faster, reliable 5G and 6G networks

Researchers at Incheon National University have developed a new AI-powered solution to improve high-speed users' connectivity in 5G and 6G networks. The method significantly reduces errors and improves data reliability by prioritizing key parameters such as angles and delays.

SourceIncheon National University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 6, 2025

Could the Summerville ghost lantern be an earthquake light?

If the Summerville phenomenon is an earthquake light, it might be that shallow earthquakes in the area released water-soluble gases like radon or methane, which were then ignited by static electricity or rock movement. Gas detectors could potentially test this hypothesis.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalSeismological Research Letters·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 22, 2025

Finding the weak points: New method to prevent train delay cascades

Researchers identified critical trains that significantly transfer delays to subsequent services, known as 'influencer trains'. Adding new train services or replacing sharing rolling stock can reduce overall delays by up to 40%.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·Journalnpj Sustainable Mobility and Transport·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 9, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Switching planes for trains to decarbonise the great British getaway

A new study suggests that a significant proportion of UK holiday flights could be replaced with rail travel, resulting in substantial reductions in carbon emissions. The researchers found that most British people do not travel far for their holidays, making rail a viable alternative for short-haul flights.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalTransportation Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 29, 2024

New findings: East Palestine train derailment caused chemical pollution falling to the earth surface across the US and beyond

A new study reveals that the East Palestine train accident released inorganic pollutants into the atmosphere, which were found in precipitation across a large geographical area covering at least 16 states. The pollutants also reached southern Canada and North Carolina, posing significant risks to aquatic flora and fauna.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJun 19, 2024

Longer freight trains have a higher risk of derailment, new study shows

A new study published in Risk Analysis has found that longer freight trains are more likely to experience derailments, with a 100-car train being over twice as likely to derail than a 50-car train. This increase in risk could lead to higher rates of accidents and greater safety concerns for the rail transport system.

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·JournalRisk Analysis·DateMay 29, 2024
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Is a train’s risk of derailment affected by its length?

A new study published in Risk Analysis found that longer freight trains are more likely to derail compared to shorter trains. The research, which analyzed US freight train accidents between 2013-2022, showed a 24% higher risk for 200-car trains.

SourceWiley·JournalRisk Analysis·DateMay 29, 2024

Coal train pollution increases health risks and disparities

A new study from the University of California, Davis found that coal train pollution has significant health effects disproportionately impacting communities of color and low-income populations. The study estimates that six additional deaths may occur annually among exposed populations under severe scenarios.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalEnvironmental Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 18, 2024

Advancing intelligent railway systems: GNSS-based applications and field demonstration validation

Researchers developed a novel train control system with dynamic configuration, reduced track-side equipment, and improved maintainability to achieve cost savings and increased transportation efficiency. The study promotes the integration of GNSS-based positioning and navigation technologies to enhance railway operations.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalHigh-speed Railway·DateAug 6, 2023
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Safe train transport

Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers reconstructed crude oil transport paths by linking geotagged images with national railway networks. The study found that these inferred routes aligned with approximately 96% of documented incidents, highlighting potential risks along rail routes.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateJul 18, 2023

Railways could be a key 'utility player' for backup power

Researchers found that rail-based mobile energy storage can cost-effectively provide backup power for extreme events, potentially saving the power sector up to 60% of transmission line costs. The US rail network has the capacity to bring energy where it's needed, and this technology could work well in regions with robust freight capaci...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·DateJun 12, 2023

Coal trains increase air pollution in San Francisco bay area

A recent study by the University of California, Davis found that coal trains and terminal operations significantly increase fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in urban areas, contributing to serious health problems. The study also highlighted the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAir Quality Atmosphere & Health·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 1, 2023
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Extinction of steam locomotives derails assumptions about biological evolution

A team of paleontologists used the history of steam engines to test competitive exclusion theory, finding limited evidence supporting its role in extinction. The researchers analyzed data on tractive effort, revealing that newer engines generated more power, making steam locomotives less efficient and eventually obsolete.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMar 28, 2023

What is the impact of replacing short-haul flights on CO2 emissions and international connectivity?

A study by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) finds that replacing short-haul flights with rail in Germany could reduce CO2 emissions by 2.7-22%. However, this policy may also harm international connectivity, particularly for peripheral regions and passengers with limited onward connections.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalCase Studies on Transport Policy·TypeCase study·DateFeb 13, 2023

New measurements show high air pollution in the Copenhagen metro

Measurements taken by University of Copenhagen researchers show high air pollution levels in the Copenhagen metro, with ultra-small particles 10-20 times higher than on heavily trafficked streets. The pollution comes mainly from trains' brakes and rails, posing a health risk to frequent users.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalEnvironment International·DateJan 20, 2023

Environment: Ultrafine particles prevalent in London Underground air pollution

A recent study published in Scientific Reports found ultrafine magnetic iron oxide particles in London Underground air pollution, with average diameter of 10 nanometres. The authors propose that improved air pollution monitoring and efforts to reduce pollution levels could help mitigate health risks associated with exposure to these pa...

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 15, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Are we there yet? Time slows down on a crowded train

Research finds that crowding on public transit makes time seem to pass more slowly, with rushed commutes feeling significantly longer. The study used virtual reality simulations of subway rides and found that crowded trips took around 10% longer than less crowded ones.

SourceCornell University·JournalVirtual Reality·DateNov 30, 2022

Big batteries on wheels can deliver zero-emissions rail while securing the grid

A Berkeley Lab study shows how battery-electric trains can cut carbon dioxide emissions by over half, eliminating premature deaths and health costs associated with diesel freight trains. The analysis suggests that retrofitting diesel-electric trains with batteries is a cost-effective solution with multiple benefits.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·DateNov 23, 2021

The push to cashless transit fare leaves some riders behind

A multi-year study found that cashless fare systems can exclude lower-income riders due to lack of access to smartphones, internet, and banking services. Maintaining cash options can mitigate this issue, offering a more equitable solution for all riders.

SourcePortland State University·DateAug 12, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

KTP grant enables SME to take key role in rail electrification

A Huddersfield-based company has partnered with the University of Huddersfield to leverage a Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) and develop modernized products for the rail industry. The partnership aims to reduce material usage, increase efficiency, and lower costs through the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·DateOct 3, 2017

Snowplow drivers utilizing high-tech simulators to improve skills

A joint project between UDOT, GE Driver Development, and the University of Utah aims to enhance snowplow driver skills using state-of-the-art simulation technology. The training will focus on controlling speed, maintaining tandem position, and communication with other operators in a simulated winter environment.

SourceUniversity of Utah·DateNov 17, 2003

Fiber-optic sensors detect damaged rails and faulty wheels

Researchers developed fiber-optic sensors to detect flaws in rails and wheels, improving train safety by pinpointing location, speed, and damage. The palm-sized sensors offer a fast and cost-effective method to detect deformities in rail-car wheels, reducing the risk of derailment.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateFeb 1, 2001
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.