Rail Transport Systems Approach

This book shows how the systems approach is employed by scientists in various countries to solve specific problems concerning railway transport. In particular, the book describes the experiences of scientists from Romania, Germany, the Czech Republic, the UK, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland. For many of these countries there is a problem with the historical differences between the railways. In particular, there are railways with different rail gauges, with different signaling and communication systems, with different energy supplies and, finally, with different political systems, which are reflected in the different approaches to the management of railway economies. The book’s content is divided into two main parts, the first of which provides a systematic analysis of individual means of providing and maintaining rail transport. In turn, the second part addresses infrastructure and management development, with particular attention to security issues. Though primarily written for professionals involved in various problems concerning railway transport, the book will also benefit manufacturers, railway technical staff, managers, and students with transport specialties, as well as a wide range of readers interested in learning more about the current state of transport in different countries.

This book explains the theory and methods of system optimization design for railway intelligent transportation systems (RITS), which optimizes RITS total performance by decreasing the difficulty and cost of system development and increasing the system efficiency. Readers will understand key concepts of RITS and the latest research relevant to China and other countries where RITSs have been developed. The book is suitable for university scholars in the field of railway transportation.

Light Rail Transit Systems: 61 Lessons in Sustainable Urban Development shows how to design and operate light rail to maximize its social benefits. Readers will learn how to understand the value of light rail and tactics on its effective integration into communities. It uses strong supporting evidence and theory drawn from the author's team and their extensive experience in developing new light rail systems. The book uses numerous case studies to demonstrate how key concepts can bridge the geographic limitations inherent in many transit-related discussions. In addition, users will learn how to develop important relationships with local decision-makers and communities. Presents applied research by experienced practitioners and academic researchers Draws on more than 50 cases from Europe, the Middle East, the UK and US Incorporates five themes on why it’s important to invest in light rail, including effective mobility, and for an efficient city, economy, environment and equity Includes a checklist for planning public transport projects

This book is closely related to the energy conservation problem of rail transport systems, focusing on reducing the energy consumption of train operation. The system process of train operation is analyzed and the relationship between train operation and energy consumption is introduced. The fundamental theories, modelling and application of technologies for energy-efficient train driving are presented, discussing timely topics such as energy-efficient train control and timetabling, integrated timetabling and regenerative braking, and maximizing regenerated energy usage with energy storage systems. In addition, the modelling and application of a traction power simulation platform is introduced, to calculate the detailed energy flow over a railway network. The book is enriched with a set of practical examples to illustrate the performance of the proposed methods in improving energy efficiency of both urban and long-distance trains. Overall, the book provides a timely guide to professionals in the railway industry, and to researchers and graduate students in transport, electrical and control engineering.

This book offers a timely collection of articles on innovative research and developments in the vast field of rail transport, including rail operations, management, economics, vehicles interior design and sustainable infrastructure. It addresses academics and professionals specializing in railway transport analysis, innovation, systems design and new technology. Continuing on the tradition of the previous volumes, the book reports on innovative solutions for energy saving, noise reduction and baggage handling. It elaborates on the implementation of digital technologies and discusses sustainable rail operations along transport corridors. The concept of hyperloop is also discussed as a possible transport mode of the future. All the contributions were selected through an internal competition and a double-blinded peer review process organized by the RailUniNet members

In a rapidly changing world, with increasing competition in all sectors of transportation, railways are in a period of restructuring their management and technology. New methods of organization are introduced, commercial and tariff policies change radically, a more entrepreneurial spirit is required. At the same time, new high-speed tracks are being constructed and old tracks are renewed, high-comfort rolling stock vehicles are being introduced, logistics and combined transport are being developed. Awareness of environmental issues and search for greater safety give to the railways a new role within the transportation system. Meanwhile, methods of analysis have significantly evolved, principally due to computer applications and new ways of thinking and approaching old problems. Therefore it becomes necessary to come up with a new scientific approach to tackle management and engineering aspects of railways, to understand in-depth the origins and inter-relationships of the various situations and phenomena and to suggest the appropriate methods and solutions to solve the various emerging problems. This book aims to cover the need for a new scientific approach for railways. It is written for railway managers, economists and engineers, consulting economists and engineers, students of schools of engineering, transportation and management. The book is divided into three distinct parts: Part A deals with the management of railways, Part B deals with the track and, Part C deals with rolling stock and environmental topics. Each chapter of the book contains the necessary theoretical analysis of the phenomena studied, the recommended solutions, applications, charts and design of the specific railway component. In this way, both the requirement for a theoretical analysis is met, and the need of the railway manager and engineer for tables, nomographs, regulations, etc. is satisfied. Railways in Europe have separated activities of infrastructure from those of operation. In other parts of the world, however, railways remain unified. The book addresses both situation. Railways present great differences in their technologies. Something may be valid for one such technology, but not for another. To overcome this problem, regulations of the International Union of Railways (UIC) as well as European Standardization (CEN) have been used to the greatest extent possible. Whenever a specific technology or method is presented, the limits of its application are clearly emphasized.

The Handbook of RAMS in Railway Systems: Theory and Practice addresses the complexity in today's railway systems, which use computers and electromechanical components to increase efficiency while ensuring a high level of safety. RAM (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability) addresses the specifications and standards that manufacturers and operators have to meet. Modeling, implementation, and assessment of RAM and safety requires the integration of railway engineering systems; mathematical and statistical methods; standards compliance; and financial/economic factors. This Handbook brings together a group of experts to present RAM and safety in a modern, comprehensive manner.