Rail Type Research Articles

Analysis of Railway Track Type Selection on the Lahat-Lubuklinggau Line

Currently, the railway line from Lahat to Lubuklinggau uses the R.42 rail type with a crossing power capacity of 2,106 > 5,106 tons/year. An increase in road class is needed to increase crossing capacity. This research aims to determine the feasibility and impact of upgrading the rail type from R.42 to R.54 to improve the operational efficiency and safety of the Lahat-Lubuklinggau railway line. In this study, the author uses the railway loading method using the beam on the elastic foundation (BoEF) concept to calculate rail permit voltage to ensure that the capacity of the railroad can accommodate the load of railway traffic. The study results in show that with the upgrade of the railroad class to class III with the R.54 rail type, this line can transport a load of 5,924,001.60 tons/year, an increase from 1,838,390.40 tons/year. In addition, the track with the R.54 rail type also meets the requirements for trains with the largest load, considering that the allowable voltage (1,097.18 kg/cm²) is smaller than the previous rail allowable voltage (1,738.14 kg/cm²). It is estimated that the R.54 rail type has a life resistance of 16-17 years against crossing power without the Babaranjang train and for 9-10 years against crossing power with the Babaranjang train for the coming year.

A fast railway track surface extraction method based on bidirectional cloth simulated point clouds

Point cloud-based railway track surface extraction is a crucial technology for railway inspection. It is still challenging to extract railway track surfaces from point cloud data due to the variable quantities, densities, and diverse scenarios, which limit the applicability and versatility of existing methods. To address these limitations, we propose a bidirectional cloth simulation approach that utilizes the geometric structural characteristics of the track surface for rapid extraction. This method applies simulated cloth in both bottom-up and top-down directions to the roadbed. Our method can process hundreds of thousands of point clouds per second and is adaptable to various point cloud types (TLS and MLS), roadbed types (ballasted and ballast-less), rail types (single, double and turnouts). It achieves a completeness of over 97 % in the automatic extraction of both ballasted single and ballast-less double tracks and a correctness of over 89 % in the extraction of complex turnouts.

Study on Elevated Interval Evacuation of Metro Train considering the Influence of Fire, Railings, and Track Bed

Elevated metro is a typical type of urban rail transit that operates on viaducts. Due to its fast construction speed and low cost, it plays an important role in transportation systems with dense concentrations of people. Once a fire accident occurs in rush hour, it will cause high casualty and enormous injuries. In this regard, studying the characteristics of fire smoke spread and passengers’ evacuation is of profound significance. In this paper, Pyrosim and Pathfinder software was utilized to simulate metro fire and evacuation process. The variation of temperature, CO concentration, and visibility inside carriage and outside walkaway were studied to explore the characteristic of fire and smoke. Evacuation time, speed, density, and path were analyzed for six cases considering the influence of railing settings on evacuation walkaway and the use of track bed. The impact of smoke on movement speed reduction and temperature on the available door numbers were taken into consideration. Results revealed that the temperature of accident carriage rose to tenability limit after 50 s and the visibility decreased to 5 m within 150 s. CO concentration was below safety criteria due to sufficient oxygen. Temperature was the most important factor that leads to the risk of evacuation, especially inside the accident carriage. The length of evacuation walkaway could highly reduce evacuation time and density. Railings had a negative impact on evacuation while the usage of track bed had a positive effect. Besides, the impact of railings was not as significant as the usage of the track bed. Research results can provide decision‐making reference for fire protection and evacuation design to alleviate congestion and improve safety management.

Analysis of the impact of rail head wear on railway superstructure stability

Continuous welded rail track (CWR) is a superstructure construction of the railway that withstands significant compressive forces from the longitudinal extension of the rails due to temperature changes, ensuring the safe railway operation. The applicable for the Bulgarian railway system methodology for determining the critical compressive force at which the CWR loses stability has been examined. Different types of rails with their respective design parameters, important for the force calculation, have been taken into consideration. The considered design parameters, as moment of inertia and sectional modulus of the rails, change during operation due to the rail head wear. The aim of the article is to examine specific examples of railway tracks on curves, analyzing the impact of the changed operational design parameters of the rail on the stability of the track. The operational and geometric parameters of the railway track have been considered.

A Review on the Development of a Track Irregularity Measurement Tool

Railway transportation is one of the most vital transportation modes for people and goods. Ensuring railway transportation safety and efficiency is very important. The condition of the track is one of the most vital factors in ensuring railway safety, as irregularities in the track can lead to severe accidents. Thus, it is essential to have proper gauges and methods to measure track irregularities. This paper will discuss different methods to measure track irregularities and their advantages and limitations. Several track irregularity measurement tools will be divided into groups based on different aspects, such as the contact types and their location. Contact methods can measure more detailed irregularities, but have limitations such as injury and equipment damage. Non-contact methods are less invasive and can measure larger rail sections, but are less accurate. The inspection method will be chosen based on the track configuration that must be carefully studied to ensure the most efficient and effective inspection methods for a rail type. Regardless of the method, it is important to keep developing and improving existing track irregularity measurement tools to increase efficiency and reduce measurement errors.

Vold–Kalman filter order tracking of axle box accelerations for track stiffness assessment

Intelligent data-driven monitoring procedures hold enormous potential for ensuring safe operation and optimal management of railway infrastructure in the face of increasing demands on cost and operations efficiency. Numerous studies have highlighted track stiffness as a main parameter influencing the evolution of degradation that drives maintenance processes. As such, the measurement of track stiffness is fundamental for characterizing the performance of the track in terms of deterioration rate and noise emission. In this work, we propose a rail stiffness assessment scheme relying on low-cost, on board monitoring sensors, namely axle-box accelerometers, that are mounted on in-service trains and enable frequent, real-time monitoring of the railway infrastructure network. A Vold–Kalman filter is proposed for decomposing the signal into periodic wheel and track related excitation–response pair functions. We demonstrate that these components are in turn correlated to operational conditions, such as wheel out-of-roundness and the rail type. We further illustrate the relationship between the track stiffness, the measured wheel-rail forces and the sleeper passage amplitude, which can ultimately serve as an indicator for predictive track maintenance and prediction of track durability.

Operational Control of Power Indicators of Diesel Engines with Common Rail Fuel System

Introduction. Operational methods to monitor the power indicators of engines for continuous diagnosis of their technical condition are of particular interest for creating optimal operating conditions of motor and tractor machinery. The methods are characterized by the mechanical efficiency, determined in the conditions of repair shops with the use of complex braking devices. Aim of the Article. To present the results of research on the development of an operational method for determining the mechanical efficiency of diesel engines with batteryoperated electronically controlled fuel supply systems. Materials and Methods. The Bashkir State Agrarian University proposed and successfully tested an operational method for assessing the technical condition of diesel engines with direct-acting fuel equipment on their mechanical efficiency, which is determined by the performance of their fuel equipment adjusted using the diesel itself as an adjusting stand. The possibility of using the proposed method for diesel engines with storage fuel systems was investigated. Results. The accuracy of determining the mechanical efficiency of diesel engines by electronically controlled fuel systems of battery type can be affected by the features of their work – the correction of cyclic feeds by the electronic engine control unit depending on the technical condition of the cylinders and high fuel injection pressure. To test this hypothesis, there were carried out studies on a four-cylinder D4EA 2.0 engine of a Hyundai Tuscon car with a Common Rail type storage fuel system. The engine fuel supply system was supplemented with an electronic unit integrated between the injector and the standard engine control unit, which interrupted the transmission line of the control signal to the injector according to a given algorithm without the standard unit transition to emergency mode. It has been found that the proposed method can successfully determine the technical condition of the engine as a whole and of its individual cylinders (alternating disabled and working cylinders). Discussion and Conclusion. The proposed operational method for determining the mechanical efficiency can be successfully used for diesel engines with accumulator electronically controlled fuel supply systems. At the same time, an increase in the cyclic supply by the electronic control unit of the engine fuel supply system reduces the mechanical efficiency slightly, and it can be taken into account only in special cases.

Performance Case Study of Concrete Bridge-Rail Post on Deck Overhang

Concrete post-and-beam bridge rails are a common bridge-rail type in the U.S. However, direct investigations of their performance on bridge-deck overhangs are rare, and current specifications do not clearly address this rail type or the design of decks supporting them. In this paper, the results of a performance case study of concrete bridge-rail posts on deck overhangs are presented. This study included (1) bogie testing of a MASH TL-4 concrete post on an instrumented deck, (2) development and calibration of a corresponding LS-DYNA model, and (3) use of the calibrated model to further describe system behavior, evaluate the effect of common design alternatives on performance, and corroborate the system performance from a full-scale crash test. The results of this study indicated that current design methods of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (BDS) resulted in a significant underestimation of lateral capacity, partially because their neglect of inertial resistance. In the bogie test of the concrete post, over 40% of the peak lateral resistance of the post was attributed to inertial effects. Similarly, the calibrated LS-DYNA model indicated that the full-scale system could withstand a simplified single-unit truck (SUT) loading consisting of a 150 kip pulse load while only sustaining minor damage, despite having a BDS-predicted capacity of 73 kips. Additional findings included a characterization of deck demands, performance effects of design alternatives, such as edge distance and slab thickness, and the influence of using straight versus hooked transverse deck bars.

Analysis of music teaching technology based on a data mining model

Abstract As an important middle ground between the theory of teaching and the practice of teaching, the type of teaching can not only teach teaching in the field of theory but also develop practical processes and develop effective and efficient strategies for specific teaching. The author proposes an online teaching tool for music lessons based on ZigBee. Hardware includes transmitter, sound sensor, and manager, DIN rail type online help manual to add to the transmitter to improve the combination of transmitter and other devices; The primary output current of the sensor is 15 mA, the working voltage is DC12-24 V ± 10, the sensor is connected to other devices with two wires, the control capacity memory is 256 GB, and the chip is CC2430. is added to improve system sensitivity. Chip Software Systems is known for its storage, data management, integration, and online solutions. Also, only information technology will be used to teach the “Learning with Technology” music model. Experiments show that the application system can not only complete the online service of the music class but also improve the teaching of the music class.

Возможность продления срока службы трамвайного пути в Санкт-Петербурге

Purpose: To consider tramway lifecycle key factors: track applied structures and used therein combinations of rail and foundation types. To show the advantages of sleeper-less tramway structure on the foundation with reinforced concrete slab filled in 2 layers. Separately, to pay attention on the properties and types of tram rails of domestic and imported production, to make assessment of their estimated and actual service life. Methods: Comparison of operational and technical indicators of rails laid in St. Petersburg City, including imported ones. Results: The influence of surface hardness indicator of grooved rails on their service life is determined. The conclusion on increase of inter-repair time of tram tracks at the use of high-hardness rails was obtained based on the analysis of St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise "Gorelektrotrans" statistical materials which is confirmed by the results of service life calculations. Practical significance: Economic feasibility of declared for production EVRAZ LLC rails having hardness high parameters, obtained without thermal hardening, has been determined. The necessity of carrying out the program of experimental operation of new Russian tram rails in St. Petersburg has been accepted. In this program implementation frames, on the basis of St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise "Gorelektrotrans", curves with 20-, 30-meter radius, made from new domestic rails, which have showed 342 HB, 364HB hardness values on rolling surface for different steel grade rails, have been made. Made experimental laying of obtained curves into tram tracks of St. Petersburg City will allow analyzing the results of conducted during operation explorations to form recommendations for the use of EVRAZ LLC tram rails.

Some aspects of overcoming the transport crisis in Ukraine

The relevance of the topic is proved due to many factors that directly affect the development of the transport industry, in particular, air, rail and other types of transport in Ukraine. The importance of transport for ensuring the sustainable development of the country's economy is substantiated. Issues related to the development and solution of some transport problems in Ukraine are studied. Emphasis was placed on the need for constructive solutions to a number of economic, technical, environmental, personnel and labor protection issues. In order to solve a number of problems of the transport industry, examples of the implementation of technical tasks are considered and substantiated, which are quite simple in theory, but extremely important and complex when implementing them into the practice of enterprises. After all, they need regular updating of equipment, because as a result of the development of scientific and technological progress, more advanced, but expensive technologies are constantly appearing, which are not available to all transport enterprises and require compensation from the state. Among the many economic problems that occur in the activities of aviation industry enterprises, the special importance of large taxes was identified. Conclusions were drawn about the need for an optimal combination of state regulation and a healthy competitive market. Some aspects of ensuring the functioning of the transport industry and scientifically sound future ways of its development are considered. The main aspects of ensuring the work of the transport industry of Ukraine are scientifically substantiated, which are based on a systematic approach, the implementation of which will allow adapting to changes caused by the influence of the external environment. The necessity of a highly developed transport system as a necessary factor for ensuring integration into the European and world economy is proved.

Research on Automatic attitude adjustment Technology of Suspension rail of the Unfolding frame

Spacecraft solar wings, antennas, and other space deployment mechanisms need to be unloaded by gravity during the ground launch test. At present, the most widely used is the guide rail type Micro-gravity unfolding frame, and the rail needs to be adjusted horizontally before the test is carried out. Aiming at the shortcomings of the current rail debugging relying on labor, difficult high-altitude operation, and low debugging efficiency, a guide rail automatic attitude adjustment device is proposed, which can quickly realize the efficient adjustment and attitude maintenance of the rail level. After test verification, the system can increase the local level of the guide rail from the traditional 0.02 mm/m to 0.01 mm/m, the overall level from the original 0.1 mm/m to 0.02 mm/m, and shorten the commissioning time from the original 4 h to 1 h. The power-off holding ability is strong, which greatly improves the efficiency of the ground test. The research results have been applied to other spatial deployment institutions that conduct tests based on rails.

Static and Dynamic Analysis of Conductor Rail with Large Cross-Sectional Moment of Inertia in Rigid Catenary Systems

The rigid catenary system is widely used in tunnels to power electric trains via contact with a pantograph. Due to gravity, the contact wire normally has a sag that may affect the dynamic interaction performance with a pantograph. To reduce the contact wire sag, the most efficient measure is to improve the moment of inertia of the conductor rail, which is used to clamp the contact wire. Six new types of conductor rail with large moments of inertia are developed based on a conventional conductor rail. Then both the static and dynamic analyses are conducted to investigate the performance of the new types of conductor rail with a big moment of inertia. The conductor rail’s 3D solid finite element model is built using a finite element approach. The vertical deflection and the stress distribution are comparatively analyzed among different types of conductor rail. The analysis results indicate that the vertical deflection and maximum stress are significantly reduced when using the conductor rail with a large moment of inertia. The best performance is observed when the conductor rail of case 1 is used. The maximum sag is reduced by 28.37%, and the maximum stress is decreased by 27.76% compared with the conventional conductor. Finally, a pantograph model is included to evaluate the dynamic performance of the conductor rail with large moments of inertia. The results indicate that contact force fluctuation is significantly reduced after the conductor rails with large moments of inertia are presented. The conductor rail of case 1 shows the best performance, which can reduce the contact force standard deviation by 32% and 27% at speeds of 160 km/h and 200 km/h.

Impact of railroad switches on rail noise exposure near stations

According to Common NOise aSSessment methOdS in EUrope (CNOSSOS-EU) in Annex II of Directive 2002/49/EC, noise from road, rail and airplane traffic, as well as noise from industries, shall be assessed using this common method. For railway noise in Sweden, noise assessment has previously been done using the Nordic Assesment Method for Train Noise, revised 1996 (NMT96). NMT96 includes a simple correction for rail joints of +3dB and for rail switches of +6dB. CNOSSOS-EU instead introduces a speed dependent correction based on a third octave band wavelength spectrum adding up to 20dB rolling noise energy in lower frequencies and down to -40 dB in higher frequencies. Measurements recently performed for two different rail switch types along the Swedish rail system indicate that the frequency distribution corresponds well to the CNOSSOS-EU correction for one type of rail switch but not for the other, and for the overall level difference the opposite is true. In order to investigate to what extent this deviation is affecting noise exposure an inventory of more than 11000 rail switches along the swedish railroad network has been performed to identify what types are situated in densely populated areas such as railway stations.

Investigation on fatigue crack propagation behaviour of U71Mn and U75V rails using peridynamics

Fatigue crack propagation in rails is an important factor that increases the cost of railway maintenance and threatens operating safety. Research into fatigue crack propagation rules for different rail materials helps to provide scientific guidance for rail selection and maintenance plans. Based on the results of fatigue crack propagation tests on U71Mn and U75V rails, the bond fatigue fracture criterion was established for the two materials, and their accuracy was verified. Using ordinary state-based peridynamic theory, a model was established to analyse the process of crack propagation in the two types of rails. The behaviour of U71Mn and U75V rails was then simulated with different wheel loads and wheel-rail friction coefficients, and the characteristics and rules for fatigue crack propagation in the two types of rails were analysed in a comparative manner. The results showed that the material type exerted little impact on the crack propagation path within the rails and that the U71Mn rail, which showed a lower crack propagation rate than the U75V rail, is more suitable for high-speed railways. The rate of crack propagation increased with both wheel load and wheel-rail friction coefficient. Certain measures, such as track regularity improvement, could be employed to reduce dynamic wheel-rail impact, while others, such as lubrication, could be adopted to decrease wheel-rail friction coefficients to prolong rail service life.

Анализ факторов, влияющих на защитный потенциал металлического подземного сооружения, с учетом влияния движения электроподвижного состава по участку

The analysis of the factors affecting the protective potential of a metal underground construction during the motion of the locomotive on the section is carried out. A graphical representation of the factors affecting the magnitude of the protective potential of the DF (drainage facility) of a MUC is given. The factors influencing the protective potential of the MUC when driving along the section of the West Siberian Railway are grouped. The first group of factors - the locomotive parameters - includes current, speed, mass, locomotive type, train formation and locomotive coordinate. By means of KORTES PC, the intervals of parameter changes are determined. The second is the track parameters, comprises the resistivity of the upper structure of a track (sleepers, ballast and roadbed) and the rail type. The third one is the resistance of the GA (grounding arrangement) of a MUC, the bedding depth of a MUC and the distance from the rails to the MUC. The fourth - the TS (traction substation) parameters include the coordinates of a TS and the DF of a TS, the distance from the rails to the GD of a TS, the resistance of the DF of a TS, the equivalent resistance of the GD of a TS. Also, the specific resistance of soil is attributed to the factors affecting the protective potential of a MUC. The results are summarized in a final chart of factors affecting the protective potential of a metal underground structure, taking into account the motion effect of an electric rolling stock on the section.

A Framework to Assess the Correlation between Transportation Infrastructure Access and Economics: Evidence from Iran

One of the most important impacts of access to transportation infrastructure is the economic and social well-being of residents. However, it is important to know, how much of an impact it has? Which of the access routes-road, rail, or air-has more impact? What methods can be used to assess this effect? Does this effect vary from country to country? This study attempts to provide a framework to examine the correlation between the access of a country’s cities (to various types of rail, air, and road transportation networks) and the economic and social parameters of its inhabitants. For this purpose, the connection of the city to the rail network was calculated by taking into account the distance in time between the city and the nearest station. A city’s road access is calculated by finding the average road distance of a city to other cities in that country. A city’s access to air traffic is calculated based on the weekly flights of that city’s airport (if that city has an airport). To evaluate the performance of the proposed framework, a case study is conducted in Iran. The results of the case study show that the access of cities to transportation networks strongly influences economic development and population size in Iran. Pearson’s correlation coefficients between transport infrastructure and economic growth and population size are 0.641 and 0.725, respectively. It was also found that among the transport networks, road transport is more correlated with economic development and unemployment rate of Iranian cities compared to other transport modes.

Tribological Properties of Laser Cladded Alloys for Repair of Rail Components.

Tram or light rail systems are heavily relied upon for passenger transit; however, low-carbon steel grades commonly used in special trackwork, such as in switches, are prone to wear, rolling contact fatigue (RCF), and deformation under cyclic wheel-rail contact. To address this, laser cladding can be used to apply a metal coating to protect the underlying substrate and rebuild the worn rail profiles. Laser cladding may also be applied to remove cracking by rebuilding the rail head. The tribological characteristics of light rail components after laser cladding with Stellite 6 and a newly developed martensitic stainless steel were investigated, using roller-on-disc wear testing. Analysis of the microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear performance was undertaken to develop a comprehensive understanding of the influence of the laser cladding type on the wear and surface fatigue performance. Both cladding alloys significantly improved the tribological performance. These findings were compared to those for a laser cladded hypereutectoid rail type (reported in our previous study). It was found that laser cladding with a suitable alloy was an effective technique for improving the tribological properties, increasing the wear resistance, and increasing the retardation of cracking on both substrates. These findings suggest laser cladding may be used to repair light rail components, and this technique can be optimized to suit different rail grades. This makes laser cladding a flexible and versatile maintenance strategy, in both coating and repair applications, to prolong the operational lifetime of critical components for the railway industry.

Design and Operating Parameters Optimization of the Hook-and-Tooth Chain Rail Type Residual Film Picking Device

We attempt to solve the current problems of high impurity content and the poor reliability of chain harrow type residual film recovery machines when picking up residual film. This study makes a device for picking up residual film with a hook-and-tooth chain rail. First, we conducted an analysis of the trajectory of the tip movement of the hooked teeth in the designed picking device, with the condition that the residual mulch does not miss the picking, and the force conditions of the residual mulch in the conveying process and the collection process are presented. Secondly, to determine the optimal working parameters of the picking device, a three-factor, three-level response surface optimization test was conducted with the machine forward speed, hook tooth entry depth, and chain harrow input speed as the test factors and the residual film picking rate and the impurity rate of residual film as the test indexes. In addition, a response surface regression model was developed to analyze the effects of the selected factors on the picking device. When the forward speed of the machine was 1.62 m/s, the hook tooth entry depth was 38.51 mm, and the input speed of the chain harrow was 241.42 rpm, the pickup rate and the impurity rate of the residual film were 88.27% and 9.96%, respectively. Finally, the simulation test was carried out under optimal working conditions, with the maximum force of the hook teeth being 60.7 N, the maximum deformation being 31.42 mm, and the maximum stress being 215.33 Mpa. This study can be used as a guide to further improve the design of the residual film recovery machine.

A meta-analysis of the impact of rail stations on property values: Applying a transit planning lens

• Introduction of 10 new variables to the rail access uplift meta-analysis literature. • Transit expenditure share and network expanse positively impact rail access premiums. • Rent control policies and ethno-racial dynamics affect rail access premiums. • Tests effects of Global Financial Crisis (2007–2009) on rail access premiums. • Expansion of geo-scope of rail access premium comparisons; includes Global South. Access to transit infrastructure is valuable. In areas surrounding rail stations, some of that value gets absorbed by property markets. Since 1970, over 200 case studies worldwide have explored the extent to which transit access impacts property value uplift. However, findings from this body of research vary widely. In an attempt to explain this variation, previous meta-analytic studies have focused on testing the roles that built environment elements, temporal factors, and modelling techniques play in shaping the observed relationship between proximate positioning from rail stations and property pricing. This study expands on these meta-analyses by introducing the first examination of how transit service elements – e.g. frequency, fare, reliability – impact rail-induced residential property value uplift. It further contributes to the literature by expanding the range of geo-comparability of uplift findings across four continents, examining the potential effects of the Global Financial Crisis of the late 2000s, and adding 10 new variables of potential influence not only under the banner of ‘transit service’, but pertaining to neighborhood socio-demographics and housing policy as well. Findings reveal that factors of geography, housing data type, race and ethnicity, rent control policies, rail type, transit cost, and transit network expanse all significantly affect rail access uplift magnitude ranging from depreciating effects of 7.4 percentage points to appreciating effects of 9.6 percentage points. Beyond helping to explain variation across the literature, these findings can be a useful tool for policymakers combatting trends of increasing market-driven displacement from transit-rich areas, those pursuing financing mechanisms for transit infrastructure, and to transit planners concerned with how their decisions may affect matters of housing equity for the communities they serve.