Lindsay Marie Morris

Railways have long been a part of Sicilian entrepreneur Giovanni De Lisi's life. The 39-year-old started at a young age, working for his family's maintenance company, De Lisi Costruzioni Ferroviarie. There, he observed problems associated with traditional railroad ties, called sleepers, which are made of concrete and subject to high wear and environmental impact. Giovanni investigated the potential of using recycled materials, such as plastic and rubber from used tires. That led him to found Greenrail Group in 2012, with offices in Milan and Rome.

"The goal was to create a more innovative, sustainable, and high-performance railway sleeper," says Giovani, who divides his time between Palermo and Milan.

We recently corresponded via email, during which he shared Greenrail's innovations and benefits, current and upcoming projects, and his optimism for the future of smart technology in the railway industry.

 

 

Can you explain how Greenrail's smart sleeper technology works?

The Greenrail railway sleeper is an innovative sleeper designed to combine sustainability, efficiency, and durability. This railway sleeper is a combination of traditional and recycled materials, aimed at enhancing performance and reducing environmental impact.

Key technical features:

• Hybrid structure: The inner part is made of reinforced concrete, ensuring the structural strength and stability of the sleeper. The outer coating consists of a mixture of recycled rubber and plastic obtained from used tires and other plastic waste, thereby reducing the need for virgin raw materials and contributing to recycling.
  
  
• Durability: Thanks to the outer coating made of recycled materials, Greenrail is less prone to wear compared to traditional concrete sleepers. This outer layer protects the internal structure from weather, erosion, and chemical action, extending the lifespan of the sleeper. The estimated lifespan of a Greenrail sleeper is over 50 years, making it a long-lasting solution compared to conventional options.
  
  
• Mechanical and vibrational resistance: The mechanical properties of reinforced concrete ensure high resistance to compression and dynamic loads typical of railway lines. The rubber coating acts as a natural shock absorber, reducing vibrations transmitted to the ground and improving the comfort and stability of train passage.
  
  
• Electrical insulation: Greenrail provides better electrical insulation compared to conventional sleepers, reducing the risk of electrical leaks and ensuring better operation of electrified railway lines.
  
  
• Environmental sustainability: Each individual Greenrail sleeper recovers approximately 35 kilograms of recycled rubber and plastic, reducing waste accumulation. During its lifecycle, it helps reduce CO₂ emissions through the use of recycled materials and increased durability compared to traditional solutions.
  
  
• Compatibility: The Greenrail sleeper is designed to be compatible with standard railway technologies and can be installed on existing railway lines without significant modifications to the infrastructure.
  
  
• Advanced versions: In addition to the basic version, Greenrail also offers variants such as Greenrail Solar, which integrates photovoltaic modules into the design, allowing for solar energy generation, and Greenrail Linkbox, which integrates sensors to monitor the state of the railway lines.

These features make the Greenrail sleeper a cutting-edge solution in the railway sector. Its strong focus on sustainability and technological innovation revolutionizes its ability to improve safety and reduce operational costs.

 

 

What are the key benefits of integrating sensors and solar panels into railway sleepers?

The integrated sensors allow for constant monitoring of the network's status, improving safety and reducing maintenance costs through predictive interventions. Solar panels, on the other hand, generate up to 44 megawatt-hours of energy per kilometer per year, transforming railway infrastructure into sources of renewable energy. This has a significant impact on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

 

How does Greenrail's use of recycled materials contribute to sustainability?

By using recycled plastic and rubber, Greenrail significantly reduces its environmental footprint. Our sleepers reduce CO₂ emissions by 40% and decrease noise, energy consumption, and water usage compared to concrete sleepers. This circular economy not only limits waste but also extends the operational lifespan of the sleepers.

 

What impact do Greenrail sleepers have on the passenger experience compared to traditional sleepers?

Greenrail sleepers contribute to a reduction in vibrations of up to 40%, ensuring greater comfort for both urban residents and passengers. Additionally, the smart technology will help prevent failures and service interruptions, ensuring greater reliability and safety.

 

What has the response been?

The response has been extremely positive, both from railway operators and environmentalists. Our pilot projects in Europe have confirmed the effectiveness and sustainability of our solutions. Greenrail Solar, in particular, has attracted a lot of attention for its ability to generate renewable energy, in addition to all the other advantages of Greenrail technology for railway infrastructure.

 

What are the next steps for Greenrail in terms of market expansion?

We are aiming to expand into international markets, especially in Europe and North America. We have already patented our technology in over 80 countries and plan to build industrial plants to meet demand. Our strategy also includes licensing our technology to local manufacturers, who will use local recycled materials.

 

How do you see the role of smart technology evolving in the railway industry?

Smart technology will be the future of the railway sector. Predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring will become the norm, improving safety and operational efficiency. I foresee an increasing integration of artificial intelligence and IoT technologies to further optimize infrastructure management and minimize human errors. Our smart sleeper technology is just the beginning.

 

Are there any projects or collaborations that you are particularly proud of?

One of the most significant projects is the pilot installation of Greenrail Solar in Emilia-Romagna. It was the first concrete example of our solar technology applied in the real world, with very promising results in terms of energy production and durability. We are also proud of the collaborations that are being concretely activated in the short term with some operators of European subway lines to modernize their outdated systems.

 

What kind of experience do you hope to provide for your clients and partners?

We want to provide an innovative, reliable, and sustainable solution that brings long-term benefits to both our customers and the environment. We guarantee our partners a smooth collaboration process, from design to implementation, with the shared goal of modernizing railway infrastructure. We focus on trust, transparency, and a constant commitment to improvement.

 

 

 

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There are countless ways Sicilians have touched, inspired, and vivified American culture, one of which is through music. 

I recently discovered the introspective yet energizing works of Chicago-based composer and pianist Maria Rago, who hails from the small Sicilian town of Santa Caterina Villarmosa in the province of Caltanissetta. Atmospheric and even otherworldly, the title track of her latest album, Red Land, blends electric guitar thrashing with symphonic sounds. Like so much of her music, it defies genre constraints with vibrancy and texture drawn from her Sicilian heritage. 

"My Sicilian roots have significantly influenced my identity as a pianist and composer," says Maria. "The way I perceive the world—its sounds, colors, the contrasting shadows of tragedy and beauty, the allure of history, the relentless sun, and the vibrant spirit of the Sicilian people—shapes my artistic vision. Being an islander allows me to create an 'island' of sound, a smaller haven within a broader context."

 

Maria took time out to share her music inspiration, creative process, favorite composition, future projects, advice for musicians, and what she hopes listeners take away.

 

 

What inspired you to pursue a music career?

Music has always been central to my life, but it wasn't until I turned 24 that I transitioned from being a listener to becoming a musician, ultimately deciding to dedicate my life to music. It happened during a cello concert when I found myself immersed in the notes of "Suite No.2 in D Minor" of J.S. Bach. Amid those vibrations and melodies, I realized this was the world I longed to be a part of—a realm of infinite possibilities where I knew I was a unique piece of that puzzle. When you write or perform, you expose your inner self; it feels as if you are recounting your own story through another's voice, sharing, rediscovering, and sometimes concealing the experiences that shape you, all through the medium of music.

 

Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

In my musical journey, the music of J.S. Bach and his infinite being, the earthly conception that meets the universal—the divine that is revealed among his compositions—has a fundamental role. There is a sacredness that runs through his work, a human logic that transforms into a spiritual path, a path that leads you elsewhere. The divine manifesting itself in man. This path impacted my compositions not in the stylistic sense but in the spiritual sense. 

I also admire Ludwig van Beethoven and his human testament, a project around man and where man dares, challenges, chooses, free from every chain. The divine manifesting itself in nature. Here are two composers who approach, through music, the concept of life differently. 

 

Can you tell us more about Red Land?

The album Red Land emerged from the desire to blend two musical languages: classical orchestration and the electrifying sound of the guitar, masterfully played by Martin Szorad, among other amazing musicians. This album paints the world in hues of red, reflecting a tumultuous environment filled with conflicts and strife—a world where life is hard to come by, yet death is all too easy. Red Land embarks on a journey through such a reality, with the electric guitar serving as a poetic explorer seeking the lingering beauty within.

 

Do you have a favorite piece you've composed, and what makes it special?

Typically, after completing a piece, I try to distance myself from it. When I revisit it later, I often feel as if it no longer belongs to me; it becomes a "free creature with its own life," one that I no longer recognize, a "being" detached from its "creator." However, there is a piece titled "Lullaby on the Sea," composed just as I was leaving Sicily—a farewell to my homeland, where I felt that "creature," which is me, started to separate from its origin: Sicily. 

 

What upcoming projects or performances are you most excited about?

I recently composed soundtracks for two projects: one called The Rebellious River with Studio Dance Arts New York, aimed at supporting young talent in the Bronx, and another, called Two Hands, with the organization Unity Freedom Power in collaboration with an English production, using hands as a symbol of either unity or destruction depending on one's decisions. I'm particularly excited about a new theater project exploring the lives of remarkable women throughout history, guided by the exceptional mediator Leonardo da Vinci.

 

What advice would you give emerging musicians?

Being a musician is a privilege that demands love, dedication, and relentless practice. My advice for emerging musicians is to cultivate the ability to listen, remain curious, and not take themselves too seriously. Let the music lead you; ultimately, it's the music that transcends time when everything else fades.

 

What do you hope listeners take away from your music?

Writing or performing opens you up to vulnerability; you lay yourself bare, taking risks in communicating your intended message, never knowing how an audience will interpret it. My hope is that listeners walk away with an idea, a thought, or a mindset—not always positive, but rather a perspective that prompts reflection. Indifference is the greatest enemy, and it's what art, music, and humanity simply cannot afford.

 

 

 

 

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