SUSTRACO
Registered Office: Ashgrove Road, Redland, Bristol BS6 6LY, United Kingdom Company number: 3531943
SUSTRACO logo
WHAT WE DO SUSTRACO ’s primary aim has always been the development of sustainable, cost-effective and socially-aware innovative transport solutions. SUSTRACO and its predecessors have been involved in a wide range of projects throughout our history. We advocate for the development of technologies that reduce the cost of rail-based transport systems. These technologies come together under the banner of ULR (Ultra Light Rail).
The BER project (Bristol Electric Railbus) was the first major implementation of Ultra Light Rail (ULR). This demonstration project took place over two years carrying around 50,000 passengers utilising a tram powered by on-board energy storage in the form of a flywheel and brake energy recovery (recharging at stops). The service was well received and used on a regular basis by the community and employees working in the Bristol harbour side area.
R&D (Research and Development)  Proven experience acquired through our project for the Carbon Trust in the UK using hybrid drive systems bringing the cost of using fuel cells inline with traditional IC technologies. We build international partnerships and collaborate on drive system, energy and vehicle development. SUSTRACO has been playing its part in the development of a futuristic light rail vehicle that incorporates the use of Biomethane and kinetic energy storage. The project, dubbed the first of a kind, has been made possible via a Department for Transport/SBRI Innovate UK research and development grant to Ultra Light Rail Partners.  The demonstration vehicle undertook several journeys  at the Motorail test track facility in Long Marston in Warwickshire.
Rail over Road Electric road vehicles are seen by some people as some sort of silver bullet. TRUE: they reduce or eliminate emissions associated with internal combustion engines (ICE) at point of use. However, electric vehicles weigh more then ICE vehicles. Electric vehicles produce many times more particles known as road dust that are generated by rubber tyres on road surfaces plus dust from friction brakes along with the wear of the road surface. It causes poor air quality and constitutes a significant risk of ill- health and mortality. These particles are not produced by recent rail vehicles/trams.
UITP membership SUSTRACO was a member of UITP for a number of years. A leading member of the Climate Change Communications Working Group. Early signatory of the UITP Sustainability Charter. SUSTRACO worked with Heather Allen Senior Manager in Sustainable Development .
Project Development Green Gas Refuelling GCRE- Cardiff Wales. Replacing Diesel in Rail operations SUSTRACO supported Ultra Light Rail Partners (ULRP) during this exciting project. The feasibility project looking into the the possibilities for the installation of a state-of-the-art Green gas refuelling station designed by ULRP with a demonstration using a gas powered railcar (supplied by SUSTRACO). For more about the GCRE click on this LINK.
SUSTRACO
Registered Office: Ashgrove Road, Redland, Bristol BS6 6LY, United Kingdom Company number: 3531943
SUSTRACO logo
WHAT WE DO SUSTRACO ’s primary aim has always been the development of sustainable, cost-effective and socially-aware innovative transport solutions. SUSTRACO and its predecessors have been involved in a wide range of projects throughout our history. We advocate for the development of technologies that reduce the cost of rail-based transport systems. These technologies come together under the banner of ULR (Ultra Light Rail).
R&D Research and Development) International partnerships in relation to drive system, energy and vehicle development. Including our project for the Carbon Trust proving that using hybrid drive systems can bring the cost of using fuel cells inline with traditional IC technologies.
Project Development Green Gas Refuelling GCRE- Cardiff Wales. Replacing Diesel in Rail operations SUSTRACO supported Ultra Light Rail Partners (ULRP) during this exciting project. The feasibility project looking into the the possibilities for the installation of a state-of-the-art Green gas refuelling station designed by ULRP with a demonstration using a gas powered railcar (supplied by SUSTRACO). For more about the GCRE - click on this LINK.
R&D Research and Development) SUSTRACO has been playing its part in the development of a futuristic light rail vehicle that incorporates the use of Biomethane and kinetic energy storage. The project, dubbed the first of a kind, has been made possible via a Department f o r T r a n s p o r t / S B R I Innovate UK research and development Grant to Ultra Light Rail Partners. The demonstration vehicle undertook several journeys at the Motorail test track facility in Long Marston, Warwickshire.
Rail over Road Electric road vehicles are seen by some people as some sort of silver bullet. TRUE: they reduce or eliminate emissions associated with internal combustion engines at point of use. However, particles known as road dust are generated by rubber tyres on road surfaces, dust from friction brakes and clutch plates along with the wear of the road surface. It causes poor air quality and constitutes a significant risk of ill-health and mortality. These particles are not produced by recent rail vehicles.
The BER project (Bristol Electric Railbus) was the first major implementation of Ultra Light Rail (ULR). This demonstration project took place over two years carrying around 50,000 passengers utilising a tram powered by on-board energy storage in the form of a flywheel and brake energy recovery (recharging at stops). The service was well received and used on a regular basis by the community and employees working in the Bristol harbour side area.