Vaud Council of‍ State Seeks $46.3 Million to Boost Rail Freight Transport

The Vaud Council of State has proposed a ​significant investment of 46.3 ‍million francs⁣ to enhance⁤ the transportation of goods by rail, ⁢aiming to reduce reliance on road transport adn ‍lower greenhouse gas emissions.The⁤ funding, broken into three distinct credits, focuses on developing private railway facilities, ‍upgrading locomotives, ‌and supporting urban logistics challenges.

The first‌ credit,totaling 21.3 million francs, is designed to incentivize‍ private companies to establish rail-road transshipment facilities through subsidies. ⁣This ‍initiative, which requires ⁤an amendment to the Vaud public transport law, seeks to make rail transport a more competitive choice ​to road⁢ transport.

The second credit of 20.7⁢ million francs will​ enable the Morges-Bière-cossonay (MBC) railway company to acquire two new locomotives tailored for transporting construction⁣ materials. These ​locomotives will replace aging ⁤equipment, ensuring continued ⁣efficiency in moving nearly 300,000 tonnes ​of​ gravel and ‌excavation⁤ materials annually.This effort helps avoid ⁢the⁢ equivalent of 20,000 heavy goods vehicle trips each year, aligning ⁢with the Council’s‍ strategy to connect ​quarries and ⁢gravel pits to rail networks.

The final credit of 4.3 million francs is earmarked for land⁣ planning and progress, creating logistics ​hubs that facilitate rail-road transshipment. This‌ initiative also aims to support municipalities⁢ in addressing urban logistics challenges, providing them with the resources ‍needed to adapt ​to evolving transportation needs.

A Greener Future:‍ Reducing Emissions by 45% by 2050

Currently, the ‍majority of goods in ⁢the Vaud region are transported by road, ⁣contributing to 6% of the canton’s ‌greenhouse gas emissions. The Council of ‌state highlights that⁢ moving ​goods by rail is significantly‌ more⁢ environmentally kind,with trains emitting ⁢twelve times less‌ greenhouse ‌gas ⁢per ton-kilometer compared to heavy‌ goods vehicles.

In‍ a recent press release, nuria Gorrite,​ the​ minister responsible for infrastructure,‌ emphasized the government’s⁣ commitment to promoting⁢ a “modal shift” in goods transportation. “Rail must ⁢become a ‌relevant and ⁢attractive ⁤alternative to road,” she stated, underscoring the goal​ of increasing rail freight volume by‌ 45% by 2050.

This funding request follows ‍a 2018 study that allocated 1.4​ million ⁤francs to develop ‍a strategy‌ for goods transportation. With this new investment, the Vaud⁤ Canton aims to achieve “an aspiring objective and ⁢provide the necessary tools ⁢to significantly improve the transport of goods on its territory,” according to‍ the Council of State.

The initiative not only addresses environmental concerns but⁢ also positions Vaud as a leader in lasting transportation, setting an example for other regions looking to reduce their carbon footprint while improving logistics efficiency.

**Headline:**⁢

**”Driving Towards a Greener Future: An Expert Conversation⁤ on Vaud’s $46.3⁤ million Investment in Rail Freight Transport”**



**Introductory⁤ Paragraph:** ‌

The Vaud Council of state has unveiled an ambitious plan to invest 46.3 million francs in⁤ boosting ⁢rail freight transport, with the dual ‍goal of reducing reliance on ‌road transport ​and‌ lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This significant funding, divided into three key areas—private ‍railway facilities, locomotive upgrades, and urban⁢ logistics hubs—aims to make rail transport a more competitive and environmentally ‌kind option to road transport. To ‍discuss the implications and potential impact of this initiative, we ​sat down ​with Dr. Lucie Moreau, a transportation logistics expert and professor at the University of Lausanne, to explore how this investment could transform goods transportation in the Vaud region and beyond.



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### **The Vision Behind the Investment**



**Senior Editor:**⁣ Dr. Moreau, thank you for joining us today. The Vaud council of ‌State’s⁢ proposal to invest⁤ 46.3 million francs in rail freight transport is certainly ambitious. What do you see as the primary motivation behind ⁣this​ initiative?



**Dr. ‌Lucie Moreau:** Thank you for having me. The primary motivation is twofold: environmental sustainability​ and economic efficiency.‌ Currently, the majority of goods ⁣in the Vaud ⁢region ‌are transported by road, which contributes to 6% of the canton’s greenhouse gas emissions. ⁣Rail transport, conversely, emits twelve times less greenhouse gas per ton-kilometer compared to heavy‌ goods vehicles. ​By shifting more goods to rail, Vaud can significantly reduce its carbon footprint while also addressing urban logistics challenges.



**Senior⁤ Editor:** That’s a compelling argument. How do you⁣ think this⁢ investment will specifically address these challenges?



**Dr. Moreau:** The funding is strategically divided into three areas. The‍ first credit of⁢ 21.3 million francs will incentivize private companies to establish ⁢rail-road transshipment ⁤facilities through subsidies. This will make rail transport more competitive compared to road transport. ‌The second credit of 20.7 ⁤million‌ francs will allow the Morges-Bière-Cossonay (MBC) railway company to acquire new locomotives tailored for ⁣construction materials, replacing aging equipment and ensuring efficiency. the 4.3 million francs for land planning and logistics hubs will help municipalities ⁤adapt to⁣ evolving ‍transportation⁢ needs.



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### **Environmental ‍Impact: A Greener Future**



**Senior Editor:** The ⁣environmental benefits of this initiative ⁣are clear, but can you elaborate on how this investment aligns with broader climate goals?



**Dr. Moreau:** ‍Absolutely. The‍ Council of State has set a goal of​ reducing⁣ greenhouse‍ gas emissions by 45% by 2050.By moving goods from road to rail, we can achieve a significant portion of that reduction. The new ⁣locomotives and transshipment facilities will help avoid the⁤ equivalent of 20,000 heavy goods ‌vehicle trips annually, which is ⁤a significant step towards meeting these ambitious targets.



**Senior Editor:** It’s fascinating to ⁣note ⁣that this initiative follows a 2018 study that allocated 1.4 million francs to develop a strategy​ for goods transportation. How do you think‌ this ⁢new investment builds on that earlier work?



**Dr. Moreau:** The 2018 study laid the groundwork‌ by identifying the need for a modal shift in goods transportation. This new investment takes that strategy to ‌the next level by providing the necessary financial and infrastructural ⁣support to make rail transport a viable and attractive alternative. It’s about turning a vision into reality.



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### **Economic and Logistical Benefits**



**Senior editor:** Beyond ‌the environmental benefits, what economic advantages do you see from⁤ this investment?



**Dr. Moreau:** The economic benefits ⁤are multifaceted. First, ⁤by ‍reducing reliance on road transport,‍ we can ‍alleviate⁣ congestion and lower maintenance costs for road infrastructure. Second, the ⁤new locomotives and logistics hubs will improve ⁣the efficiency of goods transportation,‌ which can lead to cost savings for businesses. this initiative positions Vaud as a leader in lasting ​transportation, which can attract businesses and investments⁣ that prioritize environmental responsibility.



**Senior Editor:** speaking of logistics ⁣hubs, how do you envision these hubs addressing urban logistics challenges?



**Dr. Moreau:** Urban logistics hubs will‍ serve as key nodes for rail-road transshipment, making it easier to move goods⁣ from rail to road and vice versa. This will help ⁤reduce​ the number of heavy‌ goods vehicles ‍in urban areas, alleviating traffic congestion⁢ and improving air quality. Additionally, these hubs will provide municipalities with the resources they need to ‍adapt to changing transportation needs, ensuring that ‍logistics remain efficient and sustainable.



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### **A Model for Other Regions**



**Senior Editor:** Vaud is setting an example with this initiative. Do ​you think other regions⁢ could‌ follow ‍suit?



**Dr. Moreau:** Absolutely. Vaud’s approach is a blueprint for other regions looking to reduce their carbon⁣ footprint while improving logistics efficiency.⁤ The combination of financial incentives, infrastructure upgrades, and strategic planning provides a comprehensive framework⁢ that can be adapted to different contexts.⁢ I ‌believe we’ll see more⁤ regions adopting similar strategies in‍ the coming years.



**Senior Editor:** Dr. Moreau, thank you for ​sharing ​your insights. Is there anything else you’d like to add about the potential impact ‌of this initiative?



**Dr. Moreau:** I’d just ​like to emphasize the importance of continued collaboration⁣ between government, businesses, and communities. This initiative ⁣is a​ significant step forward, but⁢ it’s only the beginning. By working together, we can ensure that rail freight transport becomes a truly sustainable and viable option for the future.



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**Conclusion:**​

This interview highlights the transformative potential of vaud’s 46.3​ million franc investment in rail freight transport. With a⁢ focus on environmental⁢ sustainability,⁢ economic efficiency, and urban logistics, this initiative ‌not only​ addresses⁣ immediate challenges⁤ but also sets a precedent for‍ other regions to follow. As Dr.Lucie Moreau noted, the success of this project will depend on ⁣collaboration and sustained effort, but‌ the vision​ is‌ clear: a greener, more efficient future ‍for goods transportation.