Like a mirage rushing throughout the dusty desert outdoors Pueblo, Colorado, the primary hydrogen-fuel-cell passenger prepare in america is getting warmed up on its take a look at monitor. It’s going to quickly be shipped to Southern California, the place it’s slated to hold riders on San Bernardino County’s Arrow commuter rail service earlier than the top of the 12 months.

One of the best ways to decarbonize railroads is the topic of rising debate amongst regulators, business, and activists. The controversy is partly technological, revolving round whether or not hydrogen gasoline cells, batteries, or overhead electrical wires provide the most effective efficiency for various railroad conditions. However it’s additionally political: a query of the extent to which decarbonization can, or ought to, usher in a broader transformation of rail transportation.

Within the insular world of railroading, this hydrogen-powered prepare is a Rorschach take a look at. To some, it represents the way forward for rail transportation. To others, it seems to be like an enormous, shiny distraction. Learn the total story.

—Benjamin Schneider

This story is for subscribers solely, and is from the following journal challenge of MIT Expertise Assessment, set to go reside on April 24, on the theme of Construct. In case you don’t already, join now to get a duplicate when it lands.

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We’ve all seen movies over the previous few years demonstrating how agile humanoid robots have turn out to be, operating and leaping with ease. We’re not stunned by this sort of agility—in reality, we’ve grown to anticipate it.