Japan Railway Research Articles

Improving Performance of Type T Overhead Rigid Conductor Lines

Because of their simple structure and low-maintenance characteristics, railways in Japan have often adopted overhead rigid conductor lines for current collection systems applicable to underground track sections or tunnels. With regard to the copper Type T rigid conductor line adopted on some JR commercial lines, undulating wear appeared at intervals of about 60 mm on contact wire sliding surfaces. Such wear would cause impaired train speedup and thus increase maintenance costs. We investigated the causes of the wears, and proposed measures to improve the quality of overhead rigid conductor lines.

Construction of the Kyushu Private Railway in Japan And Technology Transfer from the Germany

Construction of the Kyushu Private Railway in Japan And Technology Transfer from the Germany

溶接・接合をめぐる最近の動向 第ＩＩ部 産業界の最近の動向と溶接工学 ＩＩＩ 構造製作 ８．鉄道車両

溶接・接合をめぐる最近の動向 第ＩＩ部 産業界の最近の動向と溶接工学 ＩＩＩ 構造製作 ８．鉄道車両

Autonomous Decentralized High-Speed Processing Technology and the Application in an Integrated IC Card Fixed-Line and Wireless System

There is Processing speed improvement of the automatic fare collection gate (AFC gate) as one of the important problems to correspond to the passengers getting on and off in high density transportation at the peak. On the other hand, reliability is indispensable to handle the ticket that is the note. Therefore, the ticket system that has both high-speed and high reliability is necessary and indispensable. For the passenger's convenience improvement and maintenance cost reduction, wireless ticket system is hoped. However, the high-speed and the high reliability are ambivalent at this system because of wireless communications between an and an gate; the faster the gate processes the ticket, the poorer the reliability gets. In this thesis, it proposes the autonomous decentralized to meet high-speed in wireless ticket system and the requirement of high reliability. IC card and Central server are assumed to be an autonomous system. It proposes Decentralized algorithm of the fare calculation by and the AFC to achieve high-speed processing. Moreover, Autonomous, decentralized consistency technology in each subsystem is shown for high-reliability. In addition, to make these the effective one, Wireless communication area enhancing (touch & going method) and Command system for the data high speed processing are shown. These technologies are introduced into the Suica system of East Japan Railway and the effectiveness has been proven.

STATCOM Applying Flat-Packaged IGBTs Connected in Series

A STATCOM, which compensates 60MVA of a negative-phase-sequence power of Japanese bullet trains, has to achieve a low cost, a small size, and a high reliability. In order to enlarge capacity, the authors have developed techniques of connecting flat-packaged IGBTs in series. This STATCOM consists of two banks of inverters, where 12 single-phase inverters are connected by multistage (four-stage) transformers. When IGBTs are connected in series, the problem is to achieve stable and dynamic voltage balance among IGBTs. In order to realize a practical way, RC snubbers, a gate timing adjustment, and pole clamps are used for dynamic balance and resistors are used for static balance. In addition, active clamping circuits are used to prevent IGBTs from over-voltage during the severe network accident (e.g., short circuit). Furthermore, the control diagram of this STATCOM is shown and a method to operate without resonance between STATCOM and outer filter is discussed. Finally, this STATCOM has been evaluated in the actual field. During experiments of using bullet trains, it was shown that the negative-phase-sequence current was well compensated . The STATCOM has been used in Central Japan Railway Company since September 2003.

Development of Feeder Messenger Catenary with Auxiliary Wire

Feeders are installed as standard equipment on DC electrified railways in Japan in order to complement the electric capacity of contact wires. The feeder messenger catenary system, in which the messenger serves the function of a feeder, is now being increasingly adopted in metropolitan areas. Thus we have developed a new feeder messenger catenary system with an auxiliary wire so that the contact wire is hard to break. During system developments, we investigated the best structure for this purpose first and simulated its electric performance. Then, we performed running tests using a pantograph installed on RTRI's current collection testing equipment to evaluate the performance of the new system. The test results proved that there were no problems in its current collection performance up to 150kmh.

122 レールを伝搬する振動波に関する考察(交通機関の車外音と都市住環境との共生技術,騒音・振動改善技術)

For the conventional narrow-gauge railways in Japan, main noise source is wheel/rail noise. In order to reduce railway noise, it would be appropriate to make a better understanding of wheel/rail noise. In this paper, the purpose is to make clear vibration behaviors in rail-track systems. The rail-track system is idealized as an infinite beam periodically supported by spring/mass/spring system. The model is tuned through field tests and validated in terms of vertical rail accelerance and decay rate. Using the model, various physical phenomena of importance to rail vibration are shown. Finally, parametric study on railpad stiffness is performed, and the relationship between the railpad stiffness and rail vibration behavior is pointed out.

1102 NE Trainハイブリッドシステムの制御機能向上(OS10 交通・物流システムにおける地球環境問題への取り組み,一般講演)

East Japan Railway Company and Hitachi have been developing new energy propulsion system using energy strage technology from the first year of 21th century. The system was elavuated by taking on NE train, prototype vehicle aiming at energy saving effect and environment friendliness. In this paper, we will introduce additional two controls, 'Idle stop control in running condition' and 'Engine stopping control', based on its test run results.

Private Power Generation Equipment and the Operation of East Japan Railway Company

Private Power Generation Equipment and the Operation of East Japan Railway Company

1101 NE Train(ハイブリッド方式)の性能向上のための開発(OS10 交通・物流システムにおける地球環境問題への取り組み,一般講演)

East Japan Railway Company and Hitachi has been working to develop railcars that have lower environmental impact. We have developed the world's first prototype of a hybrid electric-diesel railcar, called the "NE Train (New Energy Train)" and we are checking performance of the hybrid system and railcar on test runs since May 2003. In 2004, we have improved the NE train based on the results of the test run in 2003. With refined longer life and higher power density batteries, we have obtained high acceleration and stopped idling of engine while running. We changed rotation speed of the diesel engine to reduce fuel consumption based on the data of test runs. And we have reduced car oscillation at stopping engine by braking with the generator. After the improvement of the NE Train, through the test run about 12,000km, we confirmed reduction of fuel consumption maximum 20%, reduction of pollutions, improved driving performances same as electric multiple units, and saving of labor for maintenance.

Outline of Design Standard for Concrete Railway Structures

This paper provides an outline of revised design standards for concrete railway structures for the Japan Railway, after revisions in 1999, following the Hyogoken-Nambu earthquake. The national technical standard was changed from specification-based to performance-based. The seismic standard is also a performance verification design system. Research on high-strength concrete and reinforcement reached the stage where it could be applied to the design standard, and other new concrete technologies need to be included. The paper describes the basis of the design, the required performance levels, elements that address action, material, calculation of response value, safety, serviceability, restorability, durability and verification prerequisites. The New Standard was published in its entirety in April 2004. Currently, design calculation examples, manual updates and the development of a design program are proceeding.

Status of Development and Running Tests on Japan's Superconducting Maglev

In 2005 the Central Japan Railway Company introducted new technological breakthroughs that will enhance revenue service on its superconducting magnetic levitation (maglev) system. This paper covers developments in both basic and applied research, discusses new equipment, and reviews the status of the system's running tests. Superconducting maglev has been developed to be applied to the Chuo Shinkansen, a proposed artery between Tokyo and Osaka. Its basic performance and various functions were already confirmed by 2000 through running tests done on the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line; running tests continue to be conducted to verify the train's durability and reliability and to upgrade its performance with new technologies. One immediate goal of these tests is to finalize the technology necessary for revenue service by March 2005.

Status of Development and Running Tests on Japan's Superconducting Maglev

In 2005 the Central Japan Railway Company introduced new technological breakthroughs that will enhance revenue service on its superconducting magnetic levitation (maglev) system. This paper covers developments in both basic and applied research, discusses new equipment, and reviews the status of the system's running tests. Superconducting maglev has been developed to be applied to the Chuo Shinkansen, a proposed artery between Tokyo and Osaka. Its basic performance and various functions were already confirmed by 2000 through running tests done on the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line; running tests continue to be conducted to verify the train's durability and reliability and to upgrade its performance with new technologies. One immediate goal of these tests is to finalize the technology necessary for revenue service by March 2005.

Construction of a highway tunnel using pneumatic caissons

The Kosoku-Ohmiya Route of the Metropolitan Expressway passes under the Shinkansen and Saikyo Lines of East Japan Railway Company through a tunnel near the entrance to the Saitama New Urban Center. The tunnel had to be constructed while minimizing the effect of tunneling on nearby facilities, including a regional air-conditioning center, abutments, piers, and other railway facilities. Also, any drop in groundwater level within the alternating beds of silt and sand had to be prevented. After identifying construction conditions, various countermeasures were discussed and planned, and six large pneumatic caissons were used for the construction, in which the P1 pier of the Saikyo Line above the tunnel was underpinned. The Kosoku-Ohmiya Route of the Metropolitan Expressway connects the Saitama New Urban Center, performing some capital functions, direct to the city center of Tokyo. Near the entrance to the Center, the Kosoku-Ohmiya Route was designed to pass as a tunnel under the elevated tracks of the East Japan Railway Company's Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Nagano, and Joetsu Shinkansen Lines, which are major arteries in eastern Japan, and the Saikyo Line, which carries commuters to the Tokyo metropolitan area. The pneumatic caisson method was selected after comparison with the cut-and-cover method because of ensured safety of facilities and railway lines in the vicinity (smaller possibilities of displacement), superiority in controlling impacts on groundwater level, lower cost, and shorter construction period. The following measures were planned and carried out for the construction using pneumatic caissons. Planning drawings of the tunnel construction are shown in Fig. 1. (A). Reprinted with permission from Elsevier. For the covering abstract see ITRD E124500.

DEVELOPMENT OF FEEDER MESSENGER CATENARY WITH THE AUXILIARY WIRE

Feeders are a standard installation of DC electrified railways in Japan in order to complement the electric capacity of contract wires. Recently in metropolitan areas of Japan, the installed area of the feeder messenger catenary system that has the function of feeder in messenger has been expanded. Then a new feeder messenger catenary system with the auxiliary wire that has the function in which the contact wire is hard to break is developed. For this purpose, the best structure of this catenary system and electric performance are investigated. Next, tests were run using a pantograph installed on the current collection testing equipment and the current collecting performance of the new system was evaluated. From the results of these tests, it has been proven that there are no problems in its current collecting performance up to 150 km/h.

DIGITAL ATC SUPPORT FOR THE RAMS STANDARD

This paper analyzed and organized the development process surrounding the digital Automatic Train Control (ATC) system developed jointly by East Japan Railway and Hitachi in accordance with the Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS) standard. This is possibly the first attempt anywhere to actually adjust such a large-scale system as whole to comply with the RAMS standard. In place of the present analog system, the new digital ATC system is going to be applied for the most important commuter lines in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. East Japan Railway has taken a leading role in the safety and reliability field from the system develop phase. Thorough documentation in 1996, prior to the establishment of the IEC standard. The digital ATC realizes shorter train headway and improves riding comfort. Its train control functions are as follows. (1) An ATC logic control generates stop point information based on areas such as the position of the preceding train, and transmits it to the following train through the rails as a digital ATC signal. (2) An on-board ATC device monitors the position of the train, retrieves the parabolic train deceleration profiles and applies the brakes if necessary. The design, manufacture, and installation have been underway since 2000, with operation on the Keihin Tohoku Line scheduled to begin in 2003.

EARTHQUAKE ALARM SYSTEMS IN JAPAN RAILWAYS

This paper gives a history of research and development concerning earthquake disaster prevention systems in Japan railways. Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) has established a new algorithm in evaluating quickly seismic source parameters (magnitude and epicenter location) from the initial part of P waves and developed a new earthquake quick alarm system (EQAS) which utilizes prompt earthquake information that will be provided by JMA.

プローブ車両技術の導入による軌道交通システムの再生に関する基礎的研究(鉄道・自動車・航空機の安全,故障診断,予知,メンテナンス,OS4 安全,故障診断,予知,メンテナンス)

This paper introduce the outline of development of probe-vehicle system for advanced railway inspection, supported by the Program for Promoting Fundamental Transport Technology Research from the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT). Scope of the study and essential fundamental technology applicable to the project are shown.

Effect of Lubrication on Vehicle/Track Interaction

Understanding the vehicle/track interaction excited by a vehicle negotiating a sharp curve is of great importance when analyzing vehicle stability and material integrity such as wheel flange and rail gauge corner wear and track component deterioration. The wheel set angle of attack and lateral forces interacting between wheel and rail have been particularly focused on as parameters governing vehicle/track interaction. Contact geometry can be determined easily by worn flange profiles and gauge corners, but the wheel/rail interface such as the coefficient of friction related to lubrication and/or contamination also effects vehicle/track interaction. For this study, some track site measurement was carried out on sharp curves at a Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) test track and on operational sections of the West Japan Railway Company to investigate the effect of lubrication on vehicle/track interaction. This paper describes the detailed setup and results of these track site measurements.

The Economies of Density and Scope and the Regional Gap of the Japan Railway after the Privatization

The Economies of Density and Scope and the Regional Gap of the Japan Railway after the Privatization