For those who have been tracking the debate over what technology to employ for the Northwest Rail Line, this next meeting of the RTD Board on October 16 likely will be the final show-down between electric-multiple-unit (EMU) and diesel-multiple-unit (DMU) technology.

Attached is the staff presentation comparing the differences between DMU and EMU technology in both the North Metro and Northwest Rail corridors.  Aside from differences in such impacts as emissions and noise, staff primarily relies on the significant cost savings from an investment in DMU over EMU.  The staff analysis, further, does not incorporate the full cost of addressing the extensive stipulations that Burlington-Northern would place on an EMU system.

RTD Staff Recommendation on Preferred Technology Alternatives 

As the following Denver Post story explains, I was the sole vote against the current staff recommendation for DMU technology at last Tuesday’s FasTracks Monitoring Committee meeting:  http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_7065973.   I maintain that, if RTD decides that it must accept DMU technology, it should commit to investing in the most environmentally responsible engine technologies.  This includes emerging hybrid and other systems that maximize fuel efficiency and have the lowest possible emmissions.  

To be very clear, I remain commited to full build-out of the Northwest Rail line, as promised in the FasTracks plan.  There are far too many benefits for Boulder County and the Denver region from this new rail service to let the opportunity slip.  However, I also will continue to advocate for a sustainable system that best addresses our local environmental concerns, prepares us to respond to volatility in future fossil fuel markets, and maintains the fiscal integrity of the RTD system.