The consultant team of LTK Engineering Services and Canete Medina Consulting Group Inc. was engaged by the Chicago Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to conduct a feasibility study of alternative energy fuels for use by the locomotive fleet of their partner commuter rail agency, the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (Metra).

The objective was to conduct a cost and benefit analysis of potential fuel savings and emissions reductions of a full or partial fleet conversion to a diesel fuel alternative. The analysis considered the capital cost, operating and maintenance costs, facilities impacts, safety considerations, operational requirements, governing regulations, and return on investment. Canete Medina developed the financial cost model and performed the financial feasibility analysis for this study. Canete Medina also assisted in identifying potential funding opportunities and contributed to writing the final report.