CO2 Barometer
CO₂ Barometer (2018-2025) is a joint TU Delft and Arriva Nederland research initiative, aiming to advance scientific understanding and practical solutions for decarbonizing regional rail and public transport in the Netherlands. As the principal researcher, Marko Kapetanović developed, during his PhD (2018 to 2022), an integrated dynamic model for monitoring and prediction of greenhouse gas emissions on non-electrified regional railway lines, using the Dutch Northern network as a case study. The project assessed alternative propulsion systems including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel-cell, and battery-electric, alongside various energy carriers such as LNG, biofuels, hydrogen, and electricity, to identify context-sensitive measures for improving well-to-wheel energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The follow-up postdoctoral project (2022-2025) expands this work into a broader full life-cycle framework, investigating how integrated, smart public transport systems and emerging propulsion technologies can support the transition to low-carbon mobility in the Dutch context. Together, the CO₂ Barometer projects provide both quantitative emissions modelling and strategic pathways for sustainable transport, supporting Arriva’s and the sector’s green ambitions.
Short video explaining the project and main results
Korte video over het project en resultaten (in Dutch)
Doctoral Thesis
Improving Environmental Sustainability of Regional Railway Services (TU Delft, 2023)
Papers
Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of traction alternatives for regional railways (Energy Conversion and Management 2024)
Energy model of a fuel cell hybrid-electric regional train in passenger transport service and vehicle-to-grid applications (Journal of Rail Transport Planning & Management 2023)
Life Cycle Assessment of Alternative Traction Options for Non Electrified Regional
Railway Lines (World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR) 2022)
Optimal network electrification plan for operation of battery electric multiple unit regional trains (TRISTAN XI 2022)
Analysis of hydrogen powered propulsion system alternatives for diesel electric
regional trains (Journal of Rail Transport Planning & Management 2022)
Reducing fuel consumption and related emissions through optimal sizing of energy storage systems for diesel-electric trains (Applied Energy 2021)
Analysis of Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Alternative Propulsion Systems for Regional Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit Trains (Energies 2021)
Sustainability of Railway Passenger Services: A Review of Aspects, Issues, Contributions and Challenges of Life Cycle Emissions ( RailNorrköping 2019)
Presentations
Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Propulsion Alternatives for a City Bus Fleet Renewal: A Dutch Case Study (CASPT 2025)
An Intermittent Partial Electrification Network Design Problem for the Introduction of Battery-Electric Regional Trains (Rail Dresden 2025)
Keynote speaker at the Science and Development of Transport international conference (ZIRP 2023)
Assessment of Alternative Traction Options for Non Electrified Regional
Railway Lines (World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR) 2022)
Optimal network electrification plan for operation of battery electric multiple unit regional trains (TRISTAN XI 2022)
Improving Sustainability of Regional Railway Services in the Netherlands (Rail Infra Forum, RailTech 2023)
Vehicle-to-Grid Concept for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hybrid-Electric Regional Trains (RailBelgrade 2023)
Media
Waterstof of batterij? De verrassende keuzes achter de trein van de toekomst (Technisch Weekblad | TW.nl)
Inzicht in verduurzaming regionaal spoor (OV Magazine)
Student TU Delft ontwikkelt samen met Arriva CO2-barometer voor regionale treinen (Spoor Pro)
Potential solutions for decarbonizing regional rail transport in the Netherlands (Global Railway Review’s Track Insight: Decarbonisation)
How can railways phase out diesel from their operations? (RailTech Digital Magazine | Sustainable Rolling Stock)
Reducing rail emissions: Shifting to diesel alternatives (Webinar, RailTech 2022)
Improving Environmental Sustainability of Regional Railway Services in the Netherlands (Rail Infra Forum, RailTech 2023)
Awards
IEEE ITSS Best Dissertation Award – 2024 Finalist
Best Papers Award at the 9th (RailBeijing 2021), 10th (RailBelgrade 2023) & 11th (RailDresden 2025) International Conference on Railway Operations Modelling and Analysis (ICROMA)
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