Railway System Research Articles

Các yếu tố ảnh hưởng đến ý định sử dụng hệ thống đường sắt đô thị của người dân tại thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the factors affecting intention to use the urban railway system in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) through employing both qualitative and quantitative approachs. The qualitative research was conducted by indepth interviews with 5 respondents for the sake of discovering of the research variable on intention to use urban railways. The official quantitative data were collected from 382 habitants who are living in Ho Chi Minh City. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique was used to test measurement and structural model. The results of quantitative analysis show that Perceived ease of use, Environmental awareness and Price Perception have direct and positive impact on Attitude to using Metro system. The study also indicates that Novelty seeking and Attitude to using Metro system have positive effects on Intention to use urban railways. From the results achieved, the study proposes some policy implications to encourage using urban railway system when the system is completed and put into commercial operation in the upcoming time.

Modelling electrified railway signalling misoperations during extreme space weather events in the UK

Space weather has the potential to impact ground-based technologies on Earth, affecting many systems including railway signalling. This study uses a recently developed model to analyse the impact of geomagnetically induced currents on railway signalling systems in the United Kingdom during the March 1989 and October 2003 geomagnetic storms. The March 1989 storm is also scaled to estimate a 1-in-100 year and a 1-in-200 year extreme storm. Both the Glasgow to Edinburgh line, and the Preston to Lancaster section of the West Coast Main Line are modelled. No “right side” failures (when unoccupied sections appear occupied) are suggested to have occurred during either storm, and the total number of potential “wrong side” failures (when occupied sections appear clear) is low. However, the modelling indicates “right side” and “wrong side” failures are possible on both routes during the 1-in-100 year and 1-in-200 year extreme storms, with the Glasgow to Edinburgh line showing more total misoperations than the Preston to Lancaster section of the West Coast Main Line. A 1-in-100 year or 1-in-200 year extreme storm would result in misoperations over an extended period of time, with most occurring over a duration of 2–3 h either side of the peak of the storm.

Quantifying and enhancing the energy resilience of zero-emission train station systems against power outages via electrified train-building integrations

Addressing power outages due to renewable energy penetration and conventional utility grid issues is vital to ensure the reliability and resilience of any energy system. Therefore, this project begins by modelling a renewable energy-supported swappable battery-powered railway system with stochastically driven power outages. Then, it comprehensively quantified energy resilience using novel technological, economic and environmental indicators for different annual power outage percentages and renewable energy capacities. Two implementations are systematically analysed: one that uses a unique control strategy for dynamically handling the power outage periods in addition to the existing control strategy, and another that finds the right renewable energy mix within and between the stations. The first one improves the autonomous net-zero energy system by enhancing the energy-based resilience factor, annual carbon emissions from the system, and net present value for the estimated lifetime of 20 years from 0.83 to 0.99, 264.7 to 12.7 ton and –7.3 × 106 to 51.4 × 106 HKD, respectively. The second investigation reveals that technological and environmental indicators favour solar energy of 70 %, and the economic indicator prefers more wind energy. Using 100 % wind energy on both stations of the metro railway system is economically consistently effective as it provides a net present value of up to 59.8 × 106 HKD owing to the 30 % lower capital cost of wind energy compared to solar energy.

Coordinated management of electricity storages and distributed generation plant with predictive controllers in a power supply system with reduced electricity quality

THE PURPOSE. A study of the influence of coordinated control of electricity storage devices and distributed generation installations on the operating modes of a network cluster, which is an electrical distribution network connected to the AC railway power supply system through a direct current insert (DCI).METHODS. The studies were carried out using a simulation model implemented in the MATLAB system.RESULTS. The following disturbing influences were considered: turning off the main power supply of the network cluster from the DCI side for 0.5 seconds; three-phase short circuit with a duration of 0.5 s at the end of a 6 kV cable line with a length of two kilometers. The simulation results showed the effectiveness of coordinated control of electricity storage devices and a turbogenerator with self-adjusting predictive controllers. On this basis, the values of overshoot of the rotor speed are reduced and the transient process time is reduced for all parameters in various modes. For example, the transient time for the generator rotor speed in the mode of connecting an additional load is reduced by three times, and for voltage - by two times.CONCLUSION. Based on computer modeling, it is shown that coordinated control of electricity storage devices and a turbogenerator with predictive regulators reduces the amount of rotor speed overshoot to almost zero and reduces the transient process time by almost 90%. It is advisable to conduct further research on the application of the method of coordinated control of active elements used in the power supply system to regulate the mode parameters.

Response of railway sub-track system subjected to railway trains loading by finite element technique

Response of railway sub-track system subjected to railway trains loading by finite element technique

The Underground Railroad: main aspects of operation

The relevance of the research topic. Wherever slavery existed, people attempted to escape, and American history is no exception. Sometimes such efforts took on organized and institutionalized forms, a notable example of which is the so-called Underground Railroad, a secret and organized system of resistance to enslavement by facilitating the escape of African Americans to northern states and other territories. In the chosen context of the research, the Underground Railroad can rightfully be considered one of the first mass movements for human rights not only in the United States, but also in the world.The purpose of the research is to reveal the main aspects of the functioning of the Underground Railroad, since this problem is extremely poorly covered by domestic science.The research is based on a scientific analysis of biographical data, literary sources, legal documents, materials from periodicals and has been carried out by applying the principle of historicism, comparative historical, problem-chronological, biographical and descriptive methods.The research results demonstrate that, in order to prevent human trafficking, individuals, families, and communities with anti-slavery attitude created preconditions for the formation of a large-scale institutionalized system that stretched from the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario east to the Atlantic coast, south to Florida and the Caribbean, and west to the border enclaves of Kansas, Texas, and Mexico.On the basis of the research results, it has been concluded that the term «Underground Railroad», although it does not reflect the specifics of its activities, denotes a very real historical phenomenon. The organization and activities of the Underground Railroad became an important component in the difficult task of eradicating slavery in the United States.

A framework for dynamic modelling of railway track switches considering the switch blades, actuators and control systems

The main contribution of this paper is the development and demonstration of a novel methodology that can be followed to develop a simulation twin of a railway track switch system to test the functionality in a digital environment. This is important because, globally, railway track switches are used to allow trains to change routes; they are a key part of all railway networks. However, because track switches are single points of failure and safety-critical, their inability to operate correctly can cause significant delays and concomitant costs. In order to better understand the dynamic behaviour of switches during operation, this paper has developed a full simulation twin of a complete track switch system. The approach fuses finite element for the rail bending and motion, with physics-based models of the electromechanical actuator system and the control system. Hence, it provides researchers and engineers the opportunity to explore and understand the design space around the dynamic operation of new switches and switch machines before they are built. This is useful for looking at the modification or monitoring of existing switches, and it becomes even more important when new switch concepts are being considered and evaluated. The simulation is capable of running in real time or faster meaning designs can be iterated and checked interactively. The paper describes the modelling approach, demonstrates the methodology by developing the system model for a novel “REPOINT” switch system, and evaluates the system level performance against the dynamic performance requirements for the switch. In the context of that case study, it is found that the proposed new actuation system as designed can meet (and exceed) the system performance requirements, and that the fault tolerance built into the actuation ensures continued operation after a single actuator failure.

Increasing realism in modelling energy losses in railway vehicles and their impact to energy-efficient train control

AbstractThe reduction of energy consumption is an increasingly important topic of the railway system. Energy-efficient train control (EETC) is one solution, which refers to mathematically computing when to accelerate, which cruising speed to hold, how long one should coast over a suitable space, and when to brake. Most approaches in literature and industry greatly simplify a lot of nonlinear effects, such that they ignore mostly the losses due to energy conversion in traction components and auxiliaries. To fill this research gap, a series of increasingly detailed nonlinear losses is described and modelled. We categorize an increasing detail in this representation as four levels. We study the impact of those levels of detail on the energy optimal speed trajectory. To do this, a standard approach based on dynamic programming is used, given constraints on total travel time. This evaluation of multiple test cases highlights the influence of the dynamic losses and the power consumption of auxiliary components on railway trajectories, also compared to multiple benchmarks. The results show how the losses can make up 50% of the total energy consumption for an exemplary trip. Ignoring them would though result in consistent but limited errors in the optimal trajectory. Overall, more complex trajectories can result in less energy consumption when including the complexity of nonlinear losses than when a simpler model is considered. Those effects are stronger when the trajectory includes many acceleration and braking phases.

An improvised analysis of smart data for IoT-based railway system using RFID

RFID (radio frequency identification) is a progressively adopted technology in today’s automated world. Wireless technologies have enabled contactless payments, tracking, identifying, and many more features in a system that can be introduced to build a smart environment. This work overviews the usage of the IoT (Internet of Things) platform for tracking passengers and enabling online payments through wireless sensors and RFID technology in Chennai Suburban Railways. The tracking system consists of an RFID reader that can locate and track passive as well as mobile objects attached with passive RFID tags. The proposed system incorporates the installation of RFID readers at every entrance and exit of the railway station, and every passenger carries their own RFID tags. This not only enables online payments for passengers but also helps the government in tracking the crowd for demand monitoring. The new methodology creates a digital workspace and enforces lawful safety regulations both for the administration and the consumers. A prototype of the proposed system is implemented in real-time to understand the workings of the system. Data collection is done through RFID tags that act as transit cards and an analysis for consumer demand is done using the DBSCAN (Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Application with Noise) algorithm with a Randomized KD-tree for the analysis of spatial and temporal patterns. A new algorithm, the iDBSCAN (improved Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Application with Noise) algorithm is proposed for faster performance on the datasets.

Monitoring of distortions and interferences in ASK-modulated currents of railway signaling systems

The problem considered in the work concerns the automation of the monitoring of ACK signals, which are widely used in railway signaling systems, namely in track circuits, due to the simplicity of their generation. Due to the low interference immunity of ACK signals under the influence of traction current and other electromagnetic sources at the railways, malfunctions can occur in the operation of train control systems. To prevent possible failures in the operation of track circuits, measurements of the signal parameters on generators and receivers of track circuits are periodically carried out. Such measurements are mainly made manually, therefore they are expensive and do not provide the necessary accuracy of the results. The problem of automating the control of signals in track circuits is related to the correct choice of characteristic features of signal distortions in order to identify excessive distortions that can lead to failures in the operation of track circuits. The article discusses methods for analyzing the signal current in the time and frequency domains to detect signal distortions. It is shown that in addition to the current measurements of the rms voltage of signals in track circuits, it is necessary to monitoring the voltage levels in the pulses and pauses of the signals, as well as the spectral composition of the signals.

Automatic Train Operation and Project Management: A Scoping Review

As the demand for enhanced railway services continues to rise, the imperative to upgrade and modernize the rail infrastructures becomes unavoidable. Automatic Train Operation (ATO) holds the potential to revolutionize railway systems by improving efficiency, safety, sustainability and operational performance. However, limited research has focused on understanding the implications of ATO implementation on project management processes. This paper thus presents an ongoing scoping review that aims to investigate the impact of ATO on project management in the railway industry. The review’s methodology includes a comprehensive search strategy criteria for study selection, and data extraction procedures. The anticipated findings will contribute to bridging the gap regarding the intersection of ATO and project management in the railway industry. By understanding the impacts and challenges associated with ATO implementation, stakeholders can better manage projects involving ATO technology and promote its successful integration into railway systems, fostering advancements in the field.

Application of Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Processes in Railway Systems: A Review

Application of Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Processes in Railway Systems: A Review

The Economic Necessities for India to Shift From Broad Gauge (1,676 mm) to Super Gauge (3,333 mm) Railway System

The Economic Necessities for India to Shift From Broad Gauge (1,676 mm) to Super Gauge (3,333 mm) Railway System

Electrifying Innovation: The Transformative Impact of Power Electronics in Modern Infrastructure

This article delves into the transformative role of electric power electronics in shaping modern infrastructure across diverse domains. It comprehensively explores the applications of these technologies in energy distribution, transportation infrastructure, and communication networks. The discussion begins with how power electronics enable the integration of renewable energy sources into smart grids, enhance the efficiency of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, and facilitate advanced energy storage solutions. In transportation, the focus shifts to electric vehicles, railway systems, and intelligent transportation systems, highlighting how power electronics contribute to sustainability and efficiency. The article further explores the role of power electronics in communication networks, including broadband power line communication, power supply in data centers, and wireless power transfer. Each section underscores the significance of power electronics in driving efficiency, sustainability, and technological advancement in infrastructure development. The article emphasizes the need for ongoing innovation in power electronics to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving global landscape and ensure resilient, adaptive, and environmentally responsible infrastructure.

XGBoost in Public Transportation for Multi-Attribute Data: Delay Prediction in Railway Systems in Real-Time

XGBoost in Public Transportation for Multi-Attribute Data: Delay Prediction in Railway Systems in Real-Time

A Novel Explainable Impedance Identification Method Based on Deep Learning for the Vehicle-grid System of High-speed Railways

A Novel Explainable Impedance Identification Method Based on Deep Learning for the Vehicle-grid System of High-speed Railways

Design of High-performance Antenna System for High-speed Railways

Design of High-performance Antenna System for High-speed Railways

Управление электротяговыми нагрузками на основе взаимодействия с системой электроснабжения железных дорог

Currently, the principles of electric rolling stock management do not involve consideration of the instantaneous load of traction substations and the operating mode parameters of other electric traction loads in the inter-substation zone of an electrified section of railways. The inter-train travel intervals on the section are set based on the preliminary software-based calculation of the traction power supply system for trains with a given range of train weight. The article provides the reasonable approach to managing electric traction loads based on their interaction both with each other and the railway power supply system in real time with instantaneous limitations of the energy infrastructure. The results of experimental synchronized measurements with two trains in the substation area of an electrified AC section are presented. Using a mathematical model of the pilot site and measurement data, the coefficients of the influence of electric traction loads on the voltage in arbitrary nodes and on the loading of the feeders of the contact network are calculated.

A predictive model based on the LSTM technique for the maintenance of railway track system

A predictive model based on the LSTM technique for the maintenance of railway track system

A fast and general algebraic approach to Railway Interlocking System across all train stations

<abstract><p>Railway interlocking systems are crucial safety components in rail transportation, designed to prevent train collisions by regulating switch positions and signal indications. These systems delineate potential train movements within a railway station by connecting sections into routes, which are further divided into blocks. To ensure safety, the system prohibits the simultaneous allocation of the same block or intersecting routes to multiple trains. In this study, we characterize the 'interlocking problem' as a safety verification task for a single real-time station configuration, rather than a 'command and control' function. This is a matter of verification, not solution, typically managed by an interlocking system that receives movement authority requests. Over the years, we have developed various algebraic models to address this issue, suggesting the potential use of computer algebra systems in implementing interlocking systems. However, some of these models exhibit limitations. In this paper, we propose a novel algebraic model for decision-making in railway interlocking systems that overcomes the limitations of previous approaches, making it suitable for large railway stations. Our primary objective is to offer a mathematical solution to interlocking problems in linear time, which our approach accomplishes.</p></abstract>