New framework and toolkit inform better freight pathing decisions
Project number:
T1263
Efficient and low emission freight pathing to make rail freight more competitive
' This project has been able to deliver real-world benefits into the December 2025 timetable.'
The challenge
Passenger services are often given priority over freight services on the network. This means that freight trains are often held at junctions and in sidings to let passenger services pass.
This slows the average speed of freight train, as they come to a stop to let passenger trains pass, and then must accelerate back up to speed.
As a result, more looping is required. This practice leads to longer journey times, which makes transporting freight by train less attractive. It also adds £27m in extra costs to operators each year and generates more CO2 emissions.
There is a lack of guidance on how to route freight trains in ways that are both more efficient and environmentally sustainable.
What we did
We have developed guidance and a tool to help evaluate the economic and environmental benefits of prioritising freight, with the aim of minimising the impact on passengers and maximising opportunities for a modal shift from road to rail.
The tool helps enables the industry to understand the full system-wide effects of pathing decisions. It also assists in assessing alternative, freight-friendly policy options. Operators can use it to compare the overall impact of different strategies and identify the trade-offs involved.
Benefits delivered
DB Cargo and Freightliner have used the outputs to model possible improvements to their freight paths, demonstrating that large reductions in journey times, operating costs, and emissions are achievable.
For example, train 6M39, operating from Moreton-on-Lugg to Radlett, stands to benefit from a two-hour decrease in journey time and a shortened route by 80 miles per run. Annually, this translates to estimated savings of £400,000 in operating costs and a reduction of 980 tonnes in CO2 equivalent emissions.
These are being implemented in the December 2025 timetable.