“A Monash University team pioneering an eco-friendly alternative to the millions of railway sleepers across Australia has received a $500,000 research and development grant from the Victorian Government.”
@ajsadauskas@lemmy.ml At first glance, this is a brilliant circular economy and sustainable transport initiative.
"A Monash University team pioneering an eco-friendly alternative to the millions of railway sleepers across Australia has received a $500,000 research and development grant from the Victorian Government.
"Since 2015, Monash Institute of Railway Technology (Monash IRT), along with Victorian company Integrated Recycling, has been exploring the potential for transforming recycled plastics waste – such as shampoo bottles and plastic milk cartons – along with agricultural waste, into long-lasting composite plastic railway sleepers.
“The result has been the successful development of Duratrack sleepers, which have replaced timber sleepers in low-speed railway yards and sidings as part of the upgrade of Victorian regional lines including Shepparton, Warrnambool and the Murray Basin. The sleepers have also been widely trialled by tourist and heritage railways, Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line and Queensland Rail.”
https://www.railexpress.com.au/500000-grant-for-monash-sleepers-project/
#rail #railway #trains #train #sustainability #CircularEconomy #VicPol #AusPol #research #Monash #MonashUni #transport #urbanism #UrbanPlanning #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Victoria #Melbourne
