Abstract:

The importance of innovation in modern enterprises is indisputable. Innovative activity of railway companies leading to an increase of transport efficiency is one of the key challenges, especially in the context of environmental protection and reduction of the carbon footprint. Implementing innovations does not have to be associated only with modern technologies. Frugal innovations based on simple improvements that increase transport efficiency with the simultaneous use of legal restrictions may decide about gaining a competitive advantage. The article structure is assigned to the presentation of frugal innovations in rail transport. The theoretical part introduces the assumptions of the idea of ​​frugal innovations. Then, frugal innovations implemented in transport on the global market are presented. The empirical dimension is focused on the case study of Eamnos coal wagons, which is an example of increasing the efficiency of coal transport due to changing the shape of the hopper. This case study allows to analyze how such improvements enhance the increase in the share of cargo in the total weight of the train. The conclusions present the most important considerations which comes from this article.