Knorr-Bremse to equip diesel trains in the UK with LEADER Driver Advisory System

Knorr-Bremse has been awarded two important contracts by the Go-Ahead Group in the UK: the company is to fit the LEADER Driver Advisory System to the diesel train fleets at London Midland and Southern. The aim is for LEADER to help cut fuel consumption and carbon emissions, making a valuable contribution to realising the Go-Ahead Group’s environmental goals.

The two contracts cover a total of 132 LEADER cab sets, destined for the different classes of DMUs operated by London Midland (100 sets) and Southern (32 sets). Installation and commissioning of the LEADER systems on both fleets is due to be completed by autumn 2013. The Go-Ahead Group is one of the leading operators of train and bus services in the UK.

The LEADER Driver Advisory System is a measuring and control technology package for trains, designed to help achieve significant reductions in fuel consumption and wear, and deliver a marked improvement in performance against the timetable. The system continuously analyses the current progress of the train, compares it with the timetable and provides drivers with real-time recommendations on how to adapt their driving style to improve energy efficiency.

Dr. Dieter Wilhelm, Executive Board Member of Knorr-Bremse AG responsible for the Rail Vehicle Systems division, underlines the importance of this project: “We are delighted that these contracts have opened the door to the UK market for LEADER. This innovative system stands for our commitment to developing eco-friendly and energy-efficient products. LEADER will play a substantial part in helping the Go-Ahead Group hit its emission reduction targets.”