Request ID: FOI-0142-2425 Date published: 03 May 2024
You asked
Dear Sirs,
I would like to know if you could provide us with electricity consumption and speed data of the London underground train network, more specifically the following;
- Average consumption per mile travelled.
- Average Speed of trains.
- Acceleration & Breaking times and distances.
- Total miles travelled per month or year.
- Any additional train electricity consumption or speed data available that you are able to provide.
We are working on an energy saving technology that could potentially provide significant energy savings to multiple modes of transport.
Any assistance in providing the above information would be greatly appreciated.
Any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0142-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 11th April 2024 asking for information about London Underground energy consumption.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below:
Question 1: Average consumption per mile travelled.
Answer:We publish an annual normalised “carbon per km travelled” across all rail modes in our annual report. For the London Underground specifically, the data for the last 5 years is as follows:
Year
kgCO2e / operated km
2018-19
4.40
2019-20
4.10
2020-21
3.77
2021-22
3.50
2022-23
3.18
Question 2: Average Speed of trains.
Answer: The table below shows the average speed on London Underground lines, in Km/h. This data was produced in 2022 and is theoretical, based on the working timetables in place at the time. There have been some timetable changes since then, meaning that that some speeds may have changed slightly as of today, but overall we expect these figures to be broadly correct (as averages/estimations). Note that current Working Timetables can be found here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/working-timetables
Line
Average speed (Km/h)
Bakerloo
27.04
Central
37.29
Circle
24.31
District
29.44
Ham & City
27.65
Jubilee
40.32
Metropolitan
44.14
Northern
34.09
Piccadilly
32.65
Victoria
42.49
Waterloo & City
33.30
Question 3: Acceleration & Breaking times and distances.
Answer: I am afraid that this information is exempt from disclosure under sections 24 (National Security) and 38 (Health and Safety) of the Freedom of Information Act. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own interest, disclosure of information under FOI is regarded as disclosure to the public at large. Such material could be of use to any person wishing to harm themselves or others, or to disrupt London’s transport infrastructure, by placing into the public domain information which would otherwise not be available via other means.
The use of the section 24 and 38 exemptions are subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, and the fact that you have requested the information is in itself an argument in favour of release. However, as we believe this information could potentially be obtained and utilised by individuals who may wish to use it to cause harm, in this instance we believe that minimising that risk outweighs the limited public interest in disclosure.
Question 4: Total miles travelled per month or year.
Answer: This information is available (in km) on our website via the following link:
Question 5: Any additional train electricity consumption or speed data available that you are able to provide.
Answer: If you can be more specific as to what other information is required we will consider that request accordingly.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
