Train movement simulation by element increment method

The article presents an element increment method that is developed by current time increment method of train traction calculation. A railway route was divided, breaking it down into elements of different lengths. A whole train movement simulation curve (v–t curve and v–S curve) was formed by splitting the joints of each of the elements' individual simulation curves. During this process, the train velocity variance was calculated by time increment method with assistance of polynomial fitting technology. Additionally, a step‐by‐step method with iteration was used to combine each element and makes the whole simulation curve continuous. Meanwhile, the energy‐saving issue was also taken into account to optimize the simulation curve. This article gives more details about the modeling by providing an example of a railway route based on moving block control. The element increment method is a more effective way to calculate train traction of high‐speed railway, and it is an alternative method to train movement simulation for aiding macroscopic railway transportation planning. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Risk‐based stochastic equilibrium assignment model in augmented urban railway network

This study developed a methodology to model the passenger flow stochastic assignment in urban railway network (URN) with the considerations of risk attitude. Through the network augmentation technique, the urban railway system is represented by an augmented network in which the common traffic assignment method can be used directly similar to a generalized network form. Using the analysis of different cases including deterministic travel state, emergent event, peak travel, and completely stochastic state, we developed a stochastic equilibrium formulation to capture these stochastic considerations and give effects of risk aversion level on the URN performance, the passenger flow at transfer stations through numerical studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

双线铁路瓦斯长隧道快速施工设备配套及防爆改装探索

兰渝铁路肖家梁隧道为双线铁路瓦斯隧道,进出口同时掘进,采用台阶法和光面爆破法开挖、装载机配合自卸汽车出碴运输、以压人式通风为主并辅以竖井和斜井射流通风的施工方案.文章以该隧道为例,主要介绍了采用无轨运输的瓦斯隧道快速施工设备配套以及施工机械的防爆改装技术.     

Distributed model predictive control for railway traffic management

Every day small delays occur in almost all railway networks. Such small delays are often called “disturbances” in literature. In order to deal with disturbances dispatchers reschedule and reroute trains, or break connections. We call this the railway management problem. In this paper we describe how the railway management problem can be solved using centralized model predictive control (MPC) and we propose several distributed model predictive control (DMPC) methods to solve the railway management problem for entire (national) railway networks. Furthermore, we propose an optimization method to determine a good partitioning of the network in an arbitrary number of sub-networks that is used for the DMPC methods. The DMPC methods are extensively tested in a case study using a model of the Dutch railway network and the trains of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen. From the case study it is clear that the DMPC methods can solve the railway traffic management problem, with the same reduction in delays, much faster than the centralized MPC method.     

回填土层钻孔灌注桩施工浅析

文章结合南钦高速铁路思灵江特大桥16#墩桩基施工实例,在有回填土层及岩石层的钻孔灌注桩施工中,采用人工挖桩红砖护壁和冲击钻机施工桩基方法以及一系列综合技术措施,从根本上保证了施工的顺利进行,达到了预期效果。     

Formalizing a subset of ERTMS/ETCS specifications for verification purposes

ERTMS is the standard railway control-command and signaling system which aims to ensure railway interoperability throughout Europe while enhancing safety and competitiveness. ERTMS is composed of two main subsystems which include GSM-R, a radio system for enabling communication between the train and the traffic management center and ETCS, an automatic train protection system (ATP) to replace the existing national ATP systems. The ERTMS specifications are defined by means of standard documents which set out the requirements ensuring interoperability. These documents evolve regularly to give rise to successive versions. The ERTMS/ETCS standard defines different levels and operation modes according to various trackside and onboard setups and some operational conditions. Given the complexity and the high criticality of railway operation, verification and validation (V&V) are crucial tasks in railway application development.In this paper, after setting the background and the motivations, a mechanizable formalization of a subset of ERTMS/ETCS specifications relative to ETCS modes and transitions is developed. The present work aims to offer a readily available model for formal V&V. Using formal techniques to check SRS is highly recommended to tackle the complexity of the defined requirements and prevent specification errors. Model-checking technique, which is targeted here, offers exhaustive analysis of the system behavior based on its model and is highly automated, since it is supported by software tools. Based on the last available version of SRS specifications, a progressive process is undertaken to get a formal model which makes explicit the various modes characterized by their respective active functions, as well as the numerous combinations of conditions for switching between modes. The various steps guiding the translation of the SRS literal specifications into a formal model are explained. As will be shown through different examples, the obtained model is a convenient basis to check safety, interoperability and liveness properties.     

A tabu search algorithm to solve the integrated planning of container on an inter-terminal network connected with a hinterland rail network

Transport demand for containers has been increasing for decades, which places pressure on road transport. As a result, rail transport is stimulated to provide better intermodal freight transport services. This paper investigates mathematical models for the planning of container movements in a port area, integrating the inter-terminal transport of containers (ITT, within the port area) with the rail freight formation and transport process (towards the hinterland). An integer linear programming model is used to formulate the container transport across operations at container terminals, the network interconnecting them, railway yards and the railway networks towards the hinterland. A tabu search algorithm is proposed to solve the problem. The practical applicability of the algorithm is tested in a realistic infrastructure case and different demand scenarios. Our results show the degree by which internal (ITT) and external (hinterland) transport processes interact, and the potential for improvement of overall operations when the integrated optimization proposed is used. Instead, if the planning of containers in the ITT system is optimized as a stand-alone problem, the railway terminals may suffer from longer delay times or additional train cancellations. When planning the transport of 4060 TEU containers within one day, the benefits of the ITT planning without considering railway operations account for 17% ITT cost reduction but 93% railway operational cost growth, while the benefits of integrating ITT and railway account for a reduction of 20% in ITT cost and 44% in railway operational costs.     

双线长大隧道无砟轨道整体道床施工探讨

文章以南钦高速铁路花甲山隧道工程无砟轨道施工为例,对双线长大隧道无砟轨道整体道床铺筑的组织工作进行了介绍,阐述了无砟轨道整体道床施工的工艺流程及方法,为今后类似工程施工提供参考借鉴。     

桃树坪隧道富水未成岩粉细砂预加固施工技术

富水未成岩粉细砂隧道开挖后围岩极不稳定,呈流塑状,极易出现溜塌现象、造成初期支护变形侵限,甚至大的坍塌,严重影响到工程的质量、安全、工期及成本。为确保施工进度、安全及质量,必须采取预加固措施。文章结合兰渝铁路LYS-7标段桃树坪隧道出口段的施工实践,介绍了隧道出口富水未成岩粉细砂地层的高压旋喷注浆预加固技术。     

瓮马铁路南北延伸线引入都匀地区方案研究

通过分析都匀地区既有铁路现状及规划铁路,结合瓮马铁路货物流向,提出了瓮马铁路南延线引入黔桂线的必要性。结合都匀地区地形、城市规划和自然保护区范围,研究了瓮马铁路在黔桂线的前方站(都匀北站)或黔桂线绿荫湖站设置交接场引入都匀地区的方案,考虑到运营管理分解划分明确,减少折角运输,一次性建成南北直通通道,吸引国铁直通车流等因素,宜采用设置都匀北站交接场的方案。根据线路引入既有黔桂线接轨点的不同,对双线区间接轨方案、新都匀站站房同侧引入方案和新都匀站站房对侧引入方案进行分析,从工程量、工程投资、运输组织、施工难度及风险、投资建设模式等方面比较,得出双线区间接轨引入都匀地区方案最优。     

Prediction of ground vibration amplitudes due to urban railway traffic using quantitative and qualitative field data

The growth of railway transport in urban areas has lead to an increase in ground vibrations enhancing their negative environmental impact. Therefore is mandatory to predict and control ground vibrations. This work presents a methodology for the determination of prediction models of ground vibration amplitudes due to railway train circulation in urban environments. Using quantitative predictors (train speed and distance) and qualitative predictors (railway track type, dominant geology and building type), being the use of the latter predictors justified by the fact that, most frequently, quantitative parameters are very difficult to obtain in the urban environment due to their characterization. Thus, a detailed statistical study based on the proposal and validation of multiple linear regression models, is successfully applied in order to predict vibration amplitudes produced by railway train circulation, in the considered domain, as function of quantitative and qualitative predictors, easily obtained in field work. A multiple linear regression model for ground vibration prediction due to underground railway traffic has been presented for the Lisbon area.     

燕尾式大跨加宽段Ⅱ级瓦斯铁路隧道施工技术

以新建向莆铁路线戴云山隧道进口燕尾大跨段隧道施工为例,根据工程特点,选择了三台阶七步法施工技术,并详细介绍了该方法的施工工艺。实践证明该技术较好地完成了项目的施工建设任务,取得了良好的应用效果。     

特大断面隧道液压模板台车的研制与施工技术

文章以重庆轻轨较新线临江门车站隧道为例,介绍了特大断面隧道整体式液压模板台车的研制与全断面衬砌施工技术,可供同类工程参考。     

Regulatory reform and freight mode choice

Reform of trucking Vehicle Weights and Dimensions (VWD) regulations in Canada is now underway. The effect these reforms will have on the freight transportation industry are only recently the subject of research. This paper is part of this new research effort, aimed at understanding how regulatory reform in the trucking sector will affect the existing competitive relationship between trucks and the railways. The paper presents the results of study and research into modelling the relationship between mode choice and the service characteristics that are affected by VWD reform.Using several periods of data, a series of econometric models are developed which help to elucidate the relative relationships between the mode service characteristics for both of the principal interprovincial freight modes. A technique is developed and presented to model railway user costs in order to overcome the complex and often unrepresentable pricing activities of Canadian railways.The strength of the developed econometric models is presented, including their significance and statistical reliability. This is further reinforced by the similarities exhibited by all the models in the series. The selected model is applied to predict market service responses required of the railway industry in order to compete with the trucking sector now adapting to the new regulations.The impact of the newly implemented vehicle weight and dimension reform on the rail transportation industry is analyzed and railway industry improvements aimed at maintaining its market share are presented. The results predicted by the model show that railway user cost reductions should be moderate, and likely less than the level of inflation over the period of time when trucking converts its fleet to take advantage of the new regulations.Abbreviations AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials - CCMTA Canadian Conference of Motor Transport Administrators - EPI End products, inedible commodity classification - GVW Gross Vehicle Weight - NA 1988 VWD National Agreement - RTAC Roads and Transportation Association of Canada - VWD Vehicle Weight(s) and Dimension(s) - WA 1988 VWD Western Agreement     

Recent applications of big data analytics in railway transportation systems: A survey

Big data analytics (BDA) has increasingly attracted a strong attention of analysts, researchers and practitioners in railway transportation and engineering. This urges the necessity for a review of recent research development in this field. This survey aims to provide a comprehensive review of the recent applications of big data in the context of railway engineering and transportation by a novel taxonomy framework, proposed by Mayring (2003). The survey covers three areas of railway transportation where BDA has been applied, namely operations, maintenance and safety. Also, the level of big data analytics, types of big data models and a variety of big data techniques have been reviewed and summarized. The results of this study identify the existing research gaps and thereby directions of future research in BDA in railway transportation systems.     

Migration of railway freight transport from command economy to market economy: The case of China

In recent years, Chinese railway freight transport has been facing great challenges from transport market reformation and economic expansion. Although the total volume of railway freight has been increasing, its market share has decreased greatly, especially at the beginning of migration from command economy to market economy. This paper considers four aspects believed to be responsible for the loss of the railway freight market share. First, we review the history and current situation of the Chinese railway freight transport and study the relationship between economic development and freight transport in China. Second, the causes resulting in the loss of the market share of railway freight are analysed in detail. Third, the current measures taken by Chinese Railways (CR) to restore its competitiveness are discussed. The effects of these measures on railway traffic volume, market share and productivity are also studied. Finally, the way forward for the future of CR is discussed. It is concluded that CR has not yet adapted sufficiently to new economic conditions, although in recent years progress has been made. Further reform will be needed.     

Financial relations between European railways for their international services

The operations of European railway companies are generally confined to the territory of one country. Each company incurs the cost of operations on its network. For international trains there are systems of physical compensation for vehicles and staff operating outside their home network. Revenues either go direct to each company involved, or, in the case of through international rates, are apportioned according to distance. This situation implies that for any decision on price and services agreement of all operators involved is necessary. Also, the apportionment of costs between operators is not in line with real cost structure. With further integration in the European community, and freer movement between Eastern and Western Europe, international transport will become more important, and railways will be at a disadvantage compared with other modes that can operate international services throughout. An organisation is proposed and illustrated with some examples, wherein separate commercial units are formed responsible for running and marketing an international rail service. Track, vehicles, and staff of national railway companiew may be used as now, but at a price to be agreed, and without the need for physical compensation.     

An Institutional Analysis of Coordination in Liberalized Port-related Railway Chains: An Application to the Port of Rotterdam

Abstract

The European railway market has gone through a period of liberalization over the last two decades. The liberalization of the railway market has also affected port-related railway transport. Efficient port-related transport chains are key in the competition among ports, however providing this efficiency is to a large extent a coordination challenge. Many forms of coordination are needed to ensure that the railway chain operates efficiently, including the bundling of cargo, and good organization between railway companies, terminal operators and the infrastructure managers to realize an efficient use of assets. From the literature, it appears that less attention has been paid to the economic organization of port-related railway transport in general, and specifically in the new liberalized institutional environment. The goal of this paper is to come up with a framework to better understand the issue of coordination in port-related railway chains in a liberalized institutional environment. This paper presents a conceptual framework rooted in Transaction Cost Economics (TCE). Based on an in-depth study into coordination in liberalized container railway market at the Port of Rotterdam, empirical illustrations are used to adjust the TCE approach toward a dynamic model influenced by Douglas North's theory on economic and institutional change. Empirics from the port of Rotterdam show that new players have entered the railway market and their role has changed. This paper shows that coordination of railway operations has become more complex after the regime change. From a port perspective, liberalization does not lead to an optimal allocation of resources in a process that is highly operationally interdependent. In the liberalized environment, coordination arrangements are necessary to enable efficient coordination of railway operations in Rotterdam.     

Recent success stories on integrated optimization of railway systems

Planning and operating railway transportation systems is an extremely hard task due to the combinatorial complexity of the underlying discrete optimization problems, the technical intricacies, and the immense size of the problem instances. Because of that, however, mathematical models and optimization techniques can result in large gains for both railway customers and operators, e.g., in terms of cost reductions or service quality improvements. In the last years a large and growing group of researchers in the OR community have devoted their attention to this domain developing mathematical models and optimization approaches to tackle many of the relevant problems in the railway planning process. However, there is still a gap to bridge between theory and practice (e.g. Cacchiani et al., 2014; Borndörfer et al., 2010), with a few notable exceptions. In this paper we address three individual success stories, namely, long-term freight train routing (part I), mid-term rolling stock rotation planning (part II), and real-time train dispatching (part III). In each case, we describe real-life, successful implementations. We will discuss the individual problem setting, survey the optimization literature, and focus on particular aspects addressed by the mathematical models. We demonstrate on concrete applications how mathematical optimization can support railway planning and operations. This gives proof that mathematical optimization can support the planning of railway resources. Thus, mathematical models and optimization can lead to a greater efficiency of railway operations and will serve as a powerful and innovative tool to meet recent challenges of the railway industry.     

浅谈兰渝铁路隐蔽工程和关键部位作业实名制

兰渝铁路创新地实施了隐蔽工程和关键部位作业实名制管理,即在施工中对隐蔽工程和关键部位的作业进行实名登记,施工、技术、质检负责人签认证明,施工中随时组卷归档,验交时移交运营单位,作为工程质量安全终身负责的经济、行政和法律责任追究依据。文章概括介绍了兰渝铁路工程实名制管理的主要内容及其重要性。