International Railway Research Articles

Distance‐Based Agglomeration Externalities and the Survival of Logistics Firms: Evidence From a Publicly Developed Logistics Park

ABSTRACTNumerous studies have shown that agglomeration externalities play a crucial role in the survival prospects of logistics firms. However, previous studies have largely ignored the role that agglomeration externalities play at a more granular level. Therefore, this paper used Chengdu International Railway Port as a case study, constructed a distance‐based agglomeration measure to explore the impact of agglomeration externalities on the survival of logistics firms located within a publicly developed logistics park (PDLP). The results show that the three types of agglomeration externalities coexist and are highly localized in the PDLP, and their effects change with distance from the logistics firm. Specifically, the specialization externalities operate within 1.5 km of the logistics firm and produce competitive effects within immediate proximity (0.5 km). Second, while diversification externalities cause significant congestion effects, interindustry knowledge spillovers arising from related diversification externalities play a key role in the 0.5 km proximity of logistics firms, and unrelated diversification externalities play a positive role in reducing the market transaction costs of logistics firms outside the 0.5 km range.

Improvement of Safety Standards for Railway Station Platforms

This study compares and analyzes the fire safety standards of both domestic and international railway station platforms by investigating the installation status of fire protection facilities in platforms with a total floor area of over 5,000 m2 in the Chungcheong region. The existing fire protection facilities require improvement in their standards by taking into account various factors, such as the location of railway stations, openness of platforms, and amount of combustible materials. The installation standards for fire protection facilities on platforms must be clearly defined and reinforced. Additionally, the installation of evacuation elevators is required for wheelchair users on underground station platforms without any open areas, as this would facilitate easy evacuation in the event of a fire.

EXAMINING THE EFFICIENCY OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION DURING A SPECIFIC TIME PERIOD

The aim of this study is to determine the efficiency values of the Republic of Turkey State Railways (TCDD) in national and international freight transportation between 2010 and 2019. Additionally, the study aims to identify the years in which the company operated more efficiently, process this information, and provide reference years and recommendations to relevant institutions.Since railway investment costs are very high, the efficient use of resources is of great importance. This study is significant in terms of guiding the efficient use of railway resources. Moreover, the use of different input and output variables over a specific time period distinguishes this study from other scientific research, as it incorporates both national and international data. For efficiency measurement, output (tonne-kilometres) and input variables (amount of freight transported, main line length, and number of freight wagons) were used, following the relevant literature. The data used in the research were obtained from the activity reports of TCDD and the Turkish Statistical Institute. DEAP (Data Envelopment Analysis Program) software, based on Productivity Time Analysis, was used to analyze the research data. As a result, the average efficiency in national railway freight transport decreased by 1.8%, while the average efficiency in international railway freight transport decreased by 22.4%. The reference year for both types of transport was 2010. Although efficiency in international railway freight transport showed partial improvement in certain years, it generally exhibited a continuous downward trend.

Smart inspection of rail wheels with matrix arrays

Rail wheels are one of the most safety critical safety components of rolling stock. Any failure can lead to catastrophic events resulting in high material damage and personal injury or even fatalities. Therefore, international railway standards require non-destructive inspection by means of ultrasound testing (UT) on a regular basis. Due to increasing distances, loads and speeds there are increasing demands on the precision and the scope of testing. However, the inspection of train wheels is complicated due to the large variety of wheel geometries and the further influence of different milage. Moreover, extended inspection areas up to a full body inspection define many different defect positions, which are to some part difficult to access. This article describes industrial solutions, which allow the full-body inspection of train wheels including face, flange, web and tread for volumetric defects (from 2mm diameter) and surface cracks (from 5 mm length and 1 mm depth). In the latest upgrade, these systems can be now equipped with matrix probes. At the beginning of the article basic principles and general probe configurations will be discussed. The main part of this article is then dedicated to highlight the positive impact of the implementation of matrix probes. Besides a reduction of the form factor due to the decreased number of probes, matrix probes allow a direct coupling check thus fundamentally amending the existing state-of-the-art. Other advantages refer to improved settings for a higher reliability of the system. Finally, it is outlined in which way matrix probes provide additional functionalities to extend the current state-of-the-art towards a smart inspection.

DECISION-MAKING SUPPORT TECHNOLOGIES IN THE FORMATION OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AT VEHICLE REPAIR ENTERPRISES

In recent years, the strategy of creating a safely functioning and efficient transport complex of Ukraine integrated into the world transport network has been fixed. Therefore, the creation of a progressive system of product quality management in the conditions of car repair enterprises is considered an urgent scientific and technical task. The quality management system is a management subsystem of an industrial enterprise. Modern production systems are based on TQM principles and widely use ISO 9001 certification. At the same time, certification is based on independent third-party audits (a conformity assessment organization). The wide spread of the standard is based on the fact that it contains generalized requirements (principles) for the organization of product quality control, which can be used at enterprises that differ significantly both in terms of specialization and the scale of production (depots or car repair plants). But this is the «bottleneck» of the standard – the lack of consideration of specialized production conditions makes it impossible to compensate for critical factors affecting the final quality of products. Currently, the accepted approaches to quality assessment do not fully take into account the factors that affect the final quality of products. In order to put all market participants - railway operators, manufacturers, rolling stock repairers and suppliers in mutually beneficial conditions, a single International Railway Industry Standard ISO / TS 22163 International Railway Industry Standart (IRIS) was developed.For the effective use of tools for ensuring the quality of rail car repair, it is considered necessary to use modern management decision support systems. They will allow real-time monitoring of production processes. It is possible to use the method of fuzzy sets to improve the quality management systems of wagon repairs based on the development of separate control algorithms with decision tables. In order to meet the requirements of international quality standards, it is necessary to significantly modernize management approaches based on the creation of progressive decision support systems.

The usage of genetic algorithms when planning railway transportation in international connection

The railway transport system in Ukraine stands as a pivotal sector within the nation's transportation infrastructure, accounting for a substantial portion of freight and passenger movement compared to domestic alternative modes of transportation. With direct border connections and collaboration with railways in Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC facilitate operations through forty international railway crossings. The political climate in Ukraine, particularly the focus on export to EU countries, has sparked increased interest in transportation towards western border regions [1, 2]. This article delves into the challenges and opportunities surrounding the enhanced cooperation of Ukrainian border terminals with EU countries during wartime and post-war periods. It analyzes the current state of freight transportation to Europe, addressing existing challenges and outlining short- and long-term development prospects for railways. Emphasis is made on the vital role of railway transport in Ukraine's integration into the European transport network, presenting avenues for implementing plans connected with railway reconstruction and development. Container transportation commands a significant market share, with a growing trend towards its adoption. Container transport facilitates a substantial reduction in loading operations, a notable increase in labor productivity, and enables comprehensive mechanization and automation of cross-docking operations. As a transit country—four out of ten existing pan-European transport corridors traverse Ukraine— the nation possesses considerable potential for developing its railway transport system. With the third-largest railway network in Europe (19,787 km, including 9,319 km of electrified tracks), railway transport assumes a leading role in Ukraine's transportation landscape. However, despite its advantages, Ukraine's transportation and logistics system lags behind those of other countries worldwide. Modernization of tracks and rolling stock necessitates significant capital investment and time, underscoring the immediate need to enhance the quality of logistics services [3]. Therefore, this article explores optimization methods for container traffic from Ukraine to EU countries with the use of mathematical methods and algorithms. The genetic algorithm among the discussed methods is recognized as one of the premier mathematical algorithms for the specified task. This approach could play a pivotal role in establishing a robust technical system for railways along Ukraine's western border, optimizing border crossing operations, and enhancing Ukrainian railway transportation capabilities. It not only aids in identifying the fastest or most economical routes but reveals weaknesses in Ukrainian border terminals. Additional strategies can be devised for modernizing and expanding border terminals and stations by leveraging this insight, facilitating the integration of Ukrainian railways into the European transport system.

Smart inspection of rail wheels with matrix arrays

Rail wheels are one of the most safety critical safety components of rolling stock. Any failure can lead to catastrophic events resulting in high material damage and personal injury or even fatalities. Therefore, international railway standards require non-destructive inspection by means of ultrasound testing (UT) on a regular basis. Due to increasing distances, loads and speeds there are increasing demands on the precision and the scope of testing. However, the inspection of train wheels is complicated due to the large variety of wheel geometries and the further influence of different milage. Moreover, extended inspection areas up to a full body inspection define many different defect positions, which are to some part difficult to access. This article describes industrial solutions, which allow the full-body inspection of train wheels including face, flange, web and tread for volumetric defects (from 2mm diameter) and surface cracks (from 5 mm length and 1 mm depth). In the latest upgrade, these systems can be now equipped with matrix probes. At the beginning of the article basic principles and general probe configurations will be discussed. The main part of this article is then dedicated to highlight the positive impact of the implementation of matrix probes. Besides a reduction of the form factor due to the decreased number of probes, matrix probes allow a direct coupling check thus fundamentally amending the existing state-of-the-art. Other advantages refer to improved settings for a higher reliability of the system. Finally, it is outlined in which way matrix probes provide additional functionalities to extend the current state-of-the-art towards a smart inspection.

Impact of COVID-19 on China Railway Express: A More State-led Approach to Develop Freight Train

The China Railway Express (CR Express) is an international railway freight train organised by China Railway Corporation, which has been travelling between China and Europe since 2011. Since its inception, the volume of the CR Express train has increased year by year and the variety of foreign trade goods has been enriched. During the COVID-19, traditional transport channels such as sea and air transport were severely hit, while the volume and product range of the CR Express grew against the trend. Under the impact of the epidemic, the booming development of the CR Express trains could not have been achieved without the guidance and support of the state, i.e. the CR Express trains moved towards a more state-led development model.

Energy-efficient means of transporting oil products to Ukraine during martial law

Carrying out transportation of oil products, there is a danger of having a negative impact on the environment - a leak of liquid can create an environmental problem for a certain area. Transportation of oil-containing cargoes to Ukraine, during martial law, is carried out by multimodal transport, namely, road, sea and rail modes of transport.As of June 2023, there are 14 border railway stations connecting Ukraine with five countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. International railway transshipment stations were studied, which allow oil products to be transshipped into tankers for further customs clearance and transportation to warehouses, civilian or military recipients. The distance of the transportation path is not always decisive in the matter of energy saving. Environmental friendliness and energy consumption during the transportation of petroleum products are also affected by the topography of the road, the landscape of the area where the roads pass, and the traffic on the roads with other vehicles.

Cascading Reliability Assessment of International Railway Freight Network Based on Coupled Map Lattices: A Case Study of China Railway Express

Cascading Reliability Assessment of International Railway Freight Network Based on Coupled Map Lattices: A Case Study of China Railway Express

철도교통과 한반도 지형 변화

Railways are an indispensable civilization for modernization, but on the other hand, imperialism has two sides as a typical means of invading and colonizing weaker countries. Japan was able to seize and further colonize transportation and logistics on the Korean Peninsula through the construction of railroads. In addition, it used this as a bridgehead to develop a policy of invading the continent.
 After the opening of the port, Japan developed Busan as a base city to promote an aggression policy. Busan was the base city of the railway network, the last stop of the government-affiliated contact line, and the starting point of the Eurasian International Railway. In this process, while Dongnae, a traditional strategic point in the southeastern region of the Korean Peninsula, declined, Busan overtook Pyongyang to grow into Korea's second-largest city. In this process, Dongnae strengthened its character as a recreational tourism city for the Japanese living in Busan.
 The railroads established by Japan reorganized traditional transportation and logistics, and further changed the power relations and topography between cities. The presence or absence of railroads became the main criterion for the rise and fall of cities. As such, it can be seen that railroads were the main means of Japan's colonization of Korea, and were a fundamental force that changed the traditional power relations, topography, logistics, and markets between cities.

ISTRAŽIVANJE I SANACIJA KLIZIŠTA "RATAC", BAR, CRNA GORA

The "Ratac" landslide occurs on the section of Belgrade-Bar international railway from railway station Sutomore to railway station Bar. The paper deals with the rehabilitation of the "Ratac" landslide, which extends from km 449+309.00 to km 449+473.00, with a total length of 164m, and which was created in the last unfavorable geological structure (paleo - gully filled with a thick deluvium over 15 m), changing climatic conditions, inflow of groundwater and load from trains. Geodetic surveys and monitoring of landslide activity (2018), geotechnical and geological research, monitoring of measuring devices (2018-2020), monitoring of installed piezometers and geophysical tests of the geological environment were carried out for the purposes of the development of the Main Landslide Rehabilitation Project "Ratac". A geotechnical analysis of two variant solutions for the stabilization of an embankment affected by an active landslide was performed. Variant 1 includes the strengthening of the existing railway embankment with a curtain of piles (jet injected) Φ60 cm/1.5m, and Variant 2 includes the construction of three rows of bored piles diameter of 100 cm interconnected by a reinforced concrete cap at the toe of the railway embankment. Based on the data from the geological study, the geotechnical analyzes included: (i) stability calculations using the limit equilibrium method at critical sections and (ii) back-analysis for obtaining failure zone. Variant 2 was adopted for the rehabilitation of the "Ratac" landslide.

Analysis of the Impact of the Ribbon Track on Unconventional Fixing on a Steel Multi‐Span Bridge

AbstractThe presented analysis deals with the influence of ribbon rail track on its unconventional fixing on a steel multi‐span bridge. Specially adapted stiffeners for the transfer of horizontal forces from the track to the superstructure are used in such cases. Local defects created over the years point out the overstressing of the fixing stiffeners to the combined response of the structure and the track. Subsequently, there is an adverse effect on the continuous ribbon track and the speed or pass‐ability of the bridge can be significantly limited.Numerical analyses are confronted with in‐situ experimental measurements realized at the 450 m long 14‐span‐bridge within an international railway line. Experimental measurements were focused mainly on influence of temperature and breaking/accelerating forces. The results showed a significant impact of temperature effects on the rails leading into unexpected longitudinal displacements and unwanted stresses in the analyzed details of the track fixation. A global model and local sub‐models in two FEM software were elaborated to analyze real behavior in a theoretical way.Researchers from the university and the R&D staff of the state railway administrator's institute collaborated in this research within the mutual long‐term cooperation.

Strength and durability status of the Fagfog Quarzite from the Lower Nawakot Group, central Nepal Lesser Himalaya

Railways have played vital role in the development of many countries worldwide. Government of Nepal has already planned to establish various national and international railway networks within the nation. A substantial quantity of durable rock ballasts is required for building a sustainable railway network. Quartzites from central Nepal Lesser Himalaya can be a promising source to fulfill this requirement. Therefore, the quartzites from the stratigraphic unit Fagfog Quartzites of the Lower Nawakot Group located in Dhading District along the Kalu Pandey Highway have been assessed to determine physical, strength and durability characteristics of the ballasts. All quartzite ballasts obtained from the bedrocks were of Precambrian, medium-grained, bladed to prolate shaped, white to brownish white, crushed quartzites. Dry density and water absorption were respectively 2336-2641 kg/m3 and 0-2.5%. The bulk density varies from 1204 and 1387 kg/m3. Point load strength index varies from 2.04 to 11.55 MPa (medium strong to extremely strong). Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) and Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV) ranges from 14.85 to 22.77% and 15.51 to 22.17% respectively. Some 7% results of AIV and 20% of ACV results exceeded the established limiting value of 22%. The slake durability index (Id5) ranges from 95.19 and 99.11%, whereas Id2 ranged between 96.94 and 100%, which shows that 80% of the samples have very high slake durability whereas remaining 20% exhibit high slake durability. There was no significant change in slake durability index from the second to the fifth cycles. Los Angeles Abrasion Value (LAAV) varies from 12.07 to 31.34% and Sulphate Soundness Value (SSV) varies within a limited range of 0.20 and 4.59%. Conclusively, the comprehensive evaluation suggests that the quartzite ballast from the Fagfog Quartzite source display favourable qualities in terms of point load, crushing and impact strengths and durable against abrasion, slaking and frosting. Thus, the quartzites from Fagfog Quartzite hold significant potential as a suitable rock type for railway track ballasts.

Application of the Method of Increasing the Practical Throughput Performance in the Conditions of the Slovak Railways

Abstract Rail transport is a continuous process that must be coordinated at all levels of management and is determined by technological processes. From a technological point of view, it is important to correctly determine the practical throughput of the track section, also called the railway infrastructure capacity. This means how much train traffic can be used to load the track section so that it shows sufficient train traffic stability even in the event of operational irregularities. The article is focused on the method of increasing the capacity of the Drienovská Nová Ves - Kysak track section with using the application of the method of determining the practical throughput performance in the anticipated timetable. Detailed determination of the occupation times of the section in the current state and in the application of individual proposals to increase the capacity of the investigated railway line provide us with information on other possibilities of modernization of the railway infrastructure in Slovak Republic. The article describes and evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of individual proposals to increase capacity of the track section. As part of the future modernization of the railway infrastructure of this track section, it is necessary to implement these measures, as the track section under investigation is part of the AGTC and TEN-T international railway corridors. When designing new corridors, it is necessary to analyse and optimize the current railway network. The intention is not only to increase the quality of railway infrastructure, but also the quality of goods and passenger transport.

DETECTION PROCESS OF ENERGY LOSS IN ELECTRIC RAILWAY VEHICLES

The paper deals with the detection process of energy loss in electric railway hauling vehicles. The importance of efficient energy use in railways and cost-effective rail transport tendency toward regenerative braking energy are considered. In addition, the current situation and improvement opportunities to achieve efficient energy use are examined. Seven measurement series were performed with scheduled Railjet trains between Hegyeshalom and Győr railway stations in Hungary. This railway section is related to the Hungarian State Railways' No. 1 main railway line (between Budapest-Kelenföld and Hegyeshalom state board), which is a part of the international railway line between Budapest and Vienna (capitals of Hungary and Austria, respectively). This double-track, electrified railway line with traditional ballasted superstructures and continuously welded rail tracks is important due to the international passenger and freight transport between Germany, Austria, and Hungary. The value of the regenerative braking energy can be even 20-30% of the total consumed energy. This quite enormous untapped energy can be used for several aims, e.g., for comfort energy demand (air conditioning, heating-cooling, lighting, etc.) or energy-intensive starts. The article also investigates the optimization of regenerative braking energy by seeking the energy-waste locations and the reasons for the significant consumption. The train operator's driving style and habit have been identified as one of the main reasons. Furthermore, train driver assistance systems are recommended to save energy, which is planned for future research.

Development of French inspired urban architecture with the construction of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway: a case study of Kunming city based on literature survey

ABSTRACT In this study, we seek to clarify the characteristics of French Inspired urban architecture in Kunming at the architectural level, as well as the construction process of the French Inspired urban architecture and its relation to the urban landscape of Kunming. With the opening of the International Railway, new construction techniques and materials were introduced into Kunming, and many unconventional architectural works with masonry construction appeared. In addition, after this trend of Western aesthetics started, Western architectural styles such as the French Inspired appeared, and the styles of decorative columns and semi-circular windows were applied to buildings. In addition, aspects of modern interiors such as mosaic tiles appeared in architectural interiors. French Inspired architecture influenced the modernization of Kunming’s architecture through its building techniques, promoting the openness and development of Kunming’s cities and spreading the production techniques, lifestyles, ideologies, and culture of modern Western society to Yunnan, through which these values, lifestyles, daily necessities, and customs influenced Kunming society. On the other hand, in terms of architectural design, many French Inspired buildings incorporate elements of Kunming’s indigenous architectural styles as well as elements of Chinese architecture, such as floor plans, roofs, windows, and doors, creating a multicultural fusion.

The Zangazur Corridor as the new haulage hub for integration and cooperation in the South Caucasus

This paper examines the economic significance of the South Caucasus' Zangazur Corridor in terms of achieving long-term peace, connectivity and integration in the region, and boosting regional growth. It further claims that the Zangazur Corridor will aid future South Caucasus reconciliation and economic cooperation.Upon the signing of the declaration, the establishment of the Zangazur corridor became even more critical. The Zangazur Corridor will connect the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via the Republic of Armenia's Meghri area. The route was important in regional and international railway and highway transportation between Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran, Turkey, and Russia during the Soviet era. However, the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan disrupted transportation for thirty years. The transportation links will then be extended from China to Europe. The Zangazur Corridor will play a vital part in the construction of East-West and North-South haulage. Many countries will benefit from the restoration of railways and roadways in the future. Hence, the study discusses the prospect of utilizing the Zangezur corridor - which is specified in the tripartite agreement dated 10 November 2020 - and emphasizes its significance as a vital element of the international transport network.

The role of consignment note in rail transport chains

International Railway Organizations functioning in the world such as e.g. e.g. the International Committee on Rail Transport (CIT), the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF), the Organisation for Railway Cooperation (OSJD) and are actively working and cooperating to improve the functioning of international rail transport and rail transport chains. Their main task is to strive to promote, cooperate, develop, improve and facilitate international rail transport as a means of transport that can meet the challenges of mobility and sustainable development. The aim is to strive for continuous improvement of rail transport by simplifying border procedures and harmonising transport documents. A special feature is the common consignment note of CIT and OSJD organizations, i.e. the CIM/SMGS waybill. The aim of the article is to indicate the role of the basic transport document, i.e. the consignment note, in the development of modern international rail transport. The consignment note is an important document in international transport. The article is based on the analysis of available sources, research conducted by the World Customs Organization and experience in the field of its implementation in the practice of business activity of entities of the rail transport market.

Problems of international railway transport during martial law

Introduction. Since the beginning of the full-scale war against Ukraine due to the blocking of sea ports, massive destruction of the transport infrastructure, railway transport has become the key mode of transport, which carries out most of the export-import supplies. The importance of finding potential ways to develop the country's export-import potential determines the relevance of the study. The purpose of the paper is to identify the existing problems of international transportation by rail in Ukraine and to provide certain recommendations for their solution and in order to increase the export-import potential of the country. Results. However, with the beginning of the war, railway transport suffered a significant reduction due to a number of problems. First, Ukrainian wagons cannot travel on European roads due to the difference in track width, and shippers need to replace wheeled carts and coupling devices for wagons. Secondly, Ukrzaliznytsia can provide approximately 3.5 thousand wagons for export every day, but due to the unpreparedness of the European side, a significant number of wagons accumulated daily at the borders. Thirdly, railway transport, is systematically losing its carrying capacity and rapidly degrading, which poses a real threat to the national economy, social stability. Finally, due to hostilities and constant missile attacks in Ukraine, the EU countries are unable to fully receive the necessary amount of cargo by rail. Conclusion. In order to overcome the problems of international transportation by rail, it is necessary: to increase the capacity of railway checkpoints on the western borders of Ukraine, to optimize the technical and organizational compatibility of the railway systems, to improve the capacity of Ukrzaliznytsia, to promptly carry out repair works of railway infrastructure and to strengthen the capacity of the receiving parties to transport cargo with a European-style railway system.