Thank you, Pierre.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
Before I get into my prepared remarks, I can't help but point out, in support of Messrs. Binns and Fuller, a beautiful example of temporal separation right here in Ottawa. If you just go up the street to Bayview Station, you can take a ride on the OC Transpo O-Train, which has been operating for many years now. They are Bombardier-built DMUs—diesel multiple-unit trains—that were built to UIC standards. They run on an active freight railroad and they use temporal separation, and they actually also cross the Canadian Pacific railroad, I believe.
We are here today to discuss innovation, a top priority for Bombardier, a company that would never have existed had it not been for innovative ideas. This innovative thinking changed the face of traditional transportation. Thanks to the genius of Joseph-Armand Bombardier, a rural Canadian business grew into a world leader in the aerospace and rail industries.
Up against global competition, today's businesses are under mounting pressure to deliver value-added products and services. It is clear, then, that we can never stop innovating if we are to continue providing customers with cutting-edge products. Our customers represent the world's major hubs, and more and more they must contend with significant social and environmental concerns, such as climate change, urbanization, population growth, resource shortages, rising energy costs and road congestion. That is why we focus our innovation and research and development activities on creating the technologies for tomorrow's mobility solutions today.
In recent years, many innovations in a variety of fields have been brought forward in passenger rail vehicles.
First of all, to increase passenger safety, we've developed predictable crash energy management concepts that reduce the impact forces on passengers in case of collision.
I have to mention that one of our best customers, GO Transit, has gone forward and procured some commuter cars that include crash energy management, even though this technology isn't required by any regulations in Canada. As previous speakers mentioned, we're seeing this take on more importance in the U.S. GO Transit will be the first with a Bombardier crash energy management commuter car.
Second, to reduce energy consumption, we've introduced in our vehicle designs regenerative braking systems. They save electrical energy otherwise wasted as heat during braking and feed the power back to the network grids. As Mr. Wolf referred to, if the line is not receptive to this energy we're trying to pump back, we have energy storage devices either on board the vehicle or on the wayside so that it can be re-used for the next acceleration cycle of the vehicle.
Third, we've developed improvements to enhance the performance of the trains we build. Among other things, the introduction of the latest technology power modules has allowed lighter trains with the same power levels.
Finally, to improve the passenger experience and help bring more riders to economical and efficient rail transit, we've introduced visual electronic communications and entertainment systems so that passengers have access to accurate and pleasant information. We've also developed highly efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that are now able to adjust to changing environmental conditions and, more importantly, to passenger load. We just heat or air condition enough for the actual passenger load.
All of these innovations are part of Bombardier's strategy to develop its ECO4 technology portfolio, which is geared towards making rail transportation more cost-effective, efficient and ecological, while optimizing its energy use. As a result, we are conducting research in four main areas.
First of all, by introducing smart systems into our vehicles and rail infrastructure, we are working to build integrated networks that operate more efficiently thanks to the ongoing exchange of information. One way Bombardier is doing that is by building its expertise on the development of train control and management systems. For example, our ORBIFLO product gives operators access to the real-time exchange of information on adherence to timetables and energy consumption.
Also part of that repertoire are systems such as EBI Drive, which constantly advises train operators on how to optimize energy efficiency, similar to how a driver's spouse would assist if the driver were speeding.
Second, we are working on manufacturing trains using lightweight materials. Doing so allows us to offer customers a competitive edge by helping them reduce their energy consumption. Using expertise gained at our plant in La Pocatière, Quebec, we are constantly enhancing how we manufacture lightweight body structures through the use of high-tech laser welding and composite materials. Those were the types of materials we were able to show you when you visited, Mr. Aubin.
On top of that, we are aiming to introduce new bogies—in other words, the wheels beneath the cars—that are much more lightweight, such as the FLEXX Eco, which results in a 30% reduction in total bogie mass and unsprung mass.
Third, the introduction of state-of-the-art infrastructure is necessary to take transportation a step forward. In that regard, Bombardier is continuing the development and introduction of its game-changing primove wireless power supply system. It will allow light rail vehicles, streetcars, and even electric buses and cars to get power through magnetic induction, without the need for unsightly overhead wires. It's just like your toothbrush recharges without any actual electrical connection.
Finally, through the introduction of inventive train concepts, Bombardier will continue to lead the pack. Incremental high-speed rail travel in North America can be achieved in the very near future with design concepts based on service-proven technology available from Bombardier and other car builders.
Our ALP-46A electric locomotive can be coupled to our high-capacity, multi-level coaches to achieve acceleration to 200 kilometres per hour, the speed needed today for intercity travel.