Railway Transportation System Research Articles

Electromagnetic Impact of Overhead High-Voltage Lines during Power Transmission on Buried Signaling Cables of the Traffic Control Systems in Modernized Railway Lines

The railway transport system is a key factor supporting industrialization in all aspects of human activity. However, in order not to lose its importance, it must meet the challenge of modern civilization. The safety, reliability, and efficiency of railway transport, to a large degree, depend on using highly integrated electronics, which are very sensitive to various disturbances generated in the electric traction system and train or coming from the environment. One of the sources of electromagnetic disturbances are high-voltage (HV) power lines running close to the railway infrastructure. The purpose was to assess the electromagnetic impact of overhead HV transmission lines on buried signaling cables of the railway traffic control system crossbreeding with them. The levels of voltage induced in the cable under steady state and the earth fault in the HV line at various soil resistivity were estimated. A software tool based on a hybrid numerical method that combines circuit theory and electromagnetic field theory was used for computations. It was found that very high voltages may be induced in the signaling cables during earth faults in the HV lines, which may lead to serious interference or damage to the equipment. The results provide useful knowledge for implementing modern railway traffic control systems and protection measures.

Railway Train Collision Avoidance on Same track and Animal Detection Using AI - IoT

The increasing demand for safer and more efficient railway transportation systems has prompted the exploration of advanced technologies to mitigate collision risks and address emerging challenges such as animal incursions on railway tracks. This paper proposes a comprehensive solution leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for real-time detection and avoidance of collisions between trains operating on the same track and encounters with animals. These sensors capture various environmental and operational data such as train positions, velocities, and track conditions. The AI algorithms analyze this data to identify potential collision risks and animal intrusions. Additionally, real-time communication between trains and the centralized control system enables timely intervention and rerouting decisions to ensure safe operations. The system incorporates advanced image recognition algorithms to detect and classify animals near railway tracks. Utilizing high-resolution cameras and IoT-connected devices, the system identifies animals in the vicinity and alerts train operators or initiates automated braking mechanisms to prevent accidents caused by animal incursions. Key features of the proposed system include scalability to accommodate varying railway infrastructures, adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, and interoperability with existing railway signaling and control systems. Moreover, the integration of AI and IoT technologies enhances the system's predictive capabilities, enabling proactive risk mitigation and improving overall.

Concise Historic Overview of Rail Corrugation Studies: From Formation Mechanisms to Detection Methods

Rail corrugation is a serious problem in a railway transportation system, aggravating the operational risk and shortening the lifetime of train–track system. In order to ensure the safety and reliability of the railway system, the detection of rail corrugation is very important. Thus, this study systematically summarizes the recent research progress of rail corrugation. First, this study introduces the definition of rail corrugation and the classification criteria. Then, the formation mechanism of rail corrugation is analyzed in detail, and its adverse consequences are investigated. Further, this study summarizes several main detection methods, which are corrugation-detection methods based on acceleration measurements, wavelet transform methods for corrugation evaluation, computer-vision-based methods for corrugation automatic detection, digital filtering algorithms for rail corrugation detection, and others. In this study, the formation mechanism and detection methods of rail corrugation are systematically described, and various corrugation-detection methods are also introduced in detail. This study not only provides a scientific basis for railway maintenance, but also lays a solid foundation for future experimental design and data analysis. This study can also guide engineering practice to improve the reliability and safety of railway systems. It also provides useful experience for future railway-engineering design and planning, as well as safer and more reliable operation. In general, this study can provide technical support for the detection of rail corrugation to ensure the safety of the rail–track system.

A socio-technical systems approach of the accident analysis in Indonesian multiple train accident cases: An application of AcciMap methodology.

The number of cases of train accidents in Indonesia continues to be large in the past few years. This paper analyzes train accident cases in Indonesia using a socio-technical system approach accident model called AcciMap, developed by Jens Rasmussen. The source of data comes from train accident investigation reports from 2015 to 2021 published by the National Transportation Safety Committee. This study uses a qualitative approach with thematic analysis to identify contributing factors and their interactions within the reports. Based on the socio-technical system approach, there are roles and contributions from the five levels of the socio-technical railway transportation system in Indonesia that interact with each other in the occurrence of accidents, including the railway regulatory bodies; other organizations; management of railway service company; processes and physical actions by staff; and condition of equipment and environment. This study has shown that the AcciMap methodology can provide a comprehensive view of the problems and their interactions across the socio-technical levels that influence each other in the occurrence of train accidents in Indonesia. The results also suggest that the socio-technical system approach is expected to be applied in the accident investigation process for the related industry to get more comprehensive insights into the accident.

Measurement Model for Determining the Disparity Factors of Intercity Railway Transportation

Countries that are still developing experience significant disparities in access to railway services, as these nations also grapple with societal inequality issues that remain unaddressed. In developed countries, railway transportation systems serve as the primary mode of transportation for both passengers and goods. However, in recent years, studies on disparities in developed countries have increased, while literature concerning developing countries remains scarce. Therefore, this study takes place in Thailand, a developing country facing significant population disparities. The objective is to examine factors contributing to these disparities in access to railway transportation systems across cities, using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to identify user disparities. The sample group comprises 1,252 randomly selected railway users from various regions in Thailand, obtained through Stratified Random Sampling. The results reveal seven dimensions of disparities: cultural, spatial, societal, political, knowledge-based, economic, and environmental. The CFA results also highlight cultural disparities as a significant factor in explaining access disparities among railway users. These findings can inform relevant organizations, aiding them in better understanding the actual needs of railway users and aligning railway development plans accordingly. Ultimately, this contributes to policy development aimed at reducing access disparities and fostering a more equitable society. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-03-01 Full Text: PDF

Модульні вантажні одиниці та модульні вантажоперевізні комплекси для інтермодального перевезення рідких вантажів

The purpose of the article is to analyze the problems of liquid cargo transportation between Ukraine and the EU countries, due to the non-interoperability of their railway transport systems. The analysis of existing solutions in the intermodal way of transporting liquid cargo was carried out. Their shortcomings are pointed out and their solution proposed by introducing a modular tank container MVO 480.00.110-02 for intermodal transportation of fuels and lubricants (F&L), liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), oil and other liquid cargoes by rail transport of 1435/1520 mm gauges. In the conditions of the ongoing war, there was an acute problem of ensuring the transportation of F&L from EU countries to Ukraine. It was complicated by the different width of the railway track. This required the replacement of tank car bogies at the joints of the 1435/1520 mm railway tracks. In addition, private tank cars had dimensions that are allowed for transportation only on railways with a gauge of 1520 mm. They exceeded the dimensions allowed for transportation on tracks of 1435 mm. This did not allow them to be used for transporting liquid cargo from EU countries. Usually, ISO 1496-3 tank containers with a length of 20 feet are used for intermodal transportation of liquid cargoes by sea, rail and road transport. In connection with the universal purpose and the need for stacking during sea transportation, their dimensions are made much smaller than the dimensions allowed for transportation by rail. Tank containers in the form of removable bodies – Swap Body tank containers are used for intermodal transportation of liquid cargo only by road and rail transport. The article points out the shortcomings of existing cargo units. To eliminate them, our company developed and patented tank containers – modular loading units (MLU) 480.00.110-02.
 For intermodal transportation of liquid cargo by rail transport of gauge 1435/1520 mm. MLU 480.00.110-02 are made in the form of modular connector complexes, which are assembled from container and cargo modules. The unified platform container model 480.00.010 of the ISO 668 standard, series 1, size and type code 29Р0 is used as a container module. Cargo modules can be mounted on the container module – removable tanks of various specializations for the transportation of various liquid cargoes. This execution of modular loading units made it possible to expand their specialization and increase the volume of tanks by 40 ÷ 45% in comparison with existing cargo units, with the possibility of transportation in the dimensions of the load of tracks of 1435/1520 mm. A comparison of the cost of transportation of liquid cargoes by tank cars, tank trucks and tank containers is given. MLU 480.00.110-02. The technical conditions of NTU 480.00.110-02 on transportation by fitting platforms of tracks of 1435/1520 mm were developed and agreed with the railway administrations of Ukraine and EU countries. An example of the implementation of a modular cargo transport complex for the transportation of liquid cargo on 1435 mm tracks is given. It can be retrofitted in operation by shippers by replacing the removable tank with a removable tank of the desired specialization, or by replacing the 1435 mm track fitting platform with a 1520 mm track fitting platform. Modular cargo transport complexes are an intermodal alternative to specialized tank cars, which is extremely necessary to ensure the transportation of liquid cargo between Ukraine and the EU countries.

Track Circuits Fault Diagnosis Method Based on the UNet-LSTM Network (ULN)

As a commonly used mode of transportation in people’s daily lives, the normal operation of railway transportation is crucial. The track circuit, as a key component of the railway transportation system, is prone to malfunctions due to environmental factors. However, the current method of inspecting track circuit faults still relies on the experience of on-site personnel. In order to improve the efficiency and accuracy of fault diagnosis, we propose to establish an intelligent fault diagnosis system. Considering that the fault data are a one-dimensional time series, this paper presents a fault diagnosis method based on the UNet-LSTM network (ULN). The LSTM network is established on the basis of fault data and used for ZPW-2000A track circuit fault diagnosis. However, the use of a single LSTM network has a high error rate in the common fault diagnosis of track circuits. Therefore, this paper proposes a feature extraction method based on the UNet network. This method is used to extract the features of the original data and then input them into the LSTM network for fault diagnosis. Through experiments with on-site fault data, it has been verified that this method can accurately classify seven common track circuit faults. Finally, the superiority of the method is verified by comparing it with other commonly used fault classification methods.

Železničke stanice u Republici Srbiji u funkciji prevoza robe - efikasnost po sistemu DEA

Introduction/purpose: Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is commonly used to calculate the efficiency of similar Decision-Making Units (DMUs), which as such are elements of one set. In the article, it is considered that each such element of a set (of similar elements) is at the same time an element of a system (of various elements). An example of DMUs are 27 railway stations in the Republic of Serbia (RS) as an element of a set of railway stations and as an element of the railway transportation system, in the function of transporting goods, after division of the company Serbian Railways in 2015 (into "passengers" and "goods"). For the sake of better service, attraction and retention of clients, in the newly opened, free, transport market, the purpose of this article is to find the efficiency of the RS stations iin the period of 2018-2022. Methods: Set-systemic-model comparative DEA analysis of railway stations as a DMUs. A unit is an element of the set, a unit is an element of the system, and a unit is the subject of the mathematical DEACCR/BCC/SE model. Results: The final efficiency, the average of all average values, is 0.7666, as a result of a triple comparative DEA analysis: 27 DMU, three DEA models and five years of functioning. Conclusion: Stations are functionally different in terms of efficiency and each station functionally differs by years and by model. The final aim is an input-output balance and the 27/27 option which is achieved with corrective actions - reduction/addition, input or output.

Parallel algorithms for interactive evaluation of complex hierarchical-network systems

Methods of interactive evaluation of complex hierarchical-network systems with fully and partially orde-red flowsmovement are considered. For realization thesemethods in real time the parallel computation algorithms are proposed. Speed up estimates were obtained, which confirm the high efficiency of the men-tioned algorithms.The proposed parallel algorithms are oriented to execution on modern computing me-ans: computers with multi-core processors, clusters, hybrid architectures and in high-performance distri-buted environments.The results of the work can be used to study the functioningprocess of motor trans-portsystems for large city, region, country or railway transport system and other complex naturalandartificial systems with a hierarchical-network structure, their elements or subsystems.

The Risk of Damage to Reailway Infrastructure Due to Theft and Devastation

Theft and devastation of railway infrastructure are one of the most important factors that affect the safety of the railway transport system. In Poland, the railway transported 245.1 million passengers and 243.6 million tons of cargo in 2021, so it is extremely important to ensure the maximum possible safety standards. Theft and devastation of railway infrastructure contribute to significant material damage to railway network managers. The costs of rebuilding railway equipment are estimated at millions of zlotys every year. They also influence the proper functioning of railway traffic. Due to this phenomenon, there are delays of passenger and freight trains, the total of which amounted to over 100,000 minutes in 2021. Therefore, the effects of such hooligan acts also affect passengers and commercial customers of the railways. The article is an attempt to describe the impact of theft and devastation of railway infrastructure on its safety and the operation of railway lines in Poland. By analyzing the available statistical data and using the CSM method, as well as applying certain simplifications, it was possible to determine the approximate level of risk using techniques used in practice. Based on the adopted risk reference levels, a systematic reduction in both the probability of occurrence of negative phenomena and their consequences was observed.

An In-Depth Investigation of Innovative Electric Traction Power Supply Systems for Mass Rapid Transit

This article discusses the outcomes of a study conducted to explore new power supply sources for subway trains. The power supply system for traction is an integral and inseparable component of subway rail infrastructure, encompassing both its management and operation. As a result, the specific choice of a power supply type has a lasting impact, either positive or negative, on the overall performance of a subway system. Consequently, researching power supply for traction presents a considerably more intricate challenge when compared to other railway transportation systems. In this study, the results obtained shed light on the pros and cons of utilizing the 25,000 V / 50 Hz system in comparison with the 1,500 V DC system, with a particular focus on traffic capacity and the efficiency of supplying traction power.

Optimization of Railway Infrastructure Asset – A Review

Railway infrastructure assets are key components in the railway transportation system. Optimal asset management is essential to improve the efficiency and productivity of the railway system, as well as help prevent unnecessary costs in the asset life cycle. Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety (RAMS) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) methods can be used in managing railway infrastructure assets. RAMS is a method used to assess the performance of high-complexity systems such as rail infrastructure systems. In contrast, LCC is used to evaluate the overall cost of a system or asset over the life cycle. Integrating RAMS and LCC concepts can help plan railways' design, operation, and maintenance. This integration is very flexible as it can be done from the life cycle's design, operation, and maintenance stages. Research shows that using the integration of RAMS and LCC can lead to better strategic decisions in the life cycle of a railway. In selecting assets to support design and maintenance, for example, there are two high-speed rail double-track alternatives of ballasted and ballastless track, with results showing that ballastless track has higher RAMS performance and lower maintenance cost but higher construction costs, so ballasted track solutions are preferred for short-term construction and the ballastless track is preferred for long-term.

Fault diagnosis of a computer interlocking system for railway signal control

The signal control of the railway transportation system is crucial for operational safety. This paper briefly introduces the computer interlocking system for railway signal control, describes the tree-structured neural network used for fault diagnosis of the interlocking system, and introduces the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for improvement. Finally, a simulation experiment was conducted on a railway station to compare the traditional back-propagation neural network (BPNN), the support vector machine, the traditional tree-structured neural network, and the improved tree-structured neural network for fault diagnosis. It was found that the topological structure of the device distribution in the railway station could be transformed into a tree structure, and with the introduction of hidden nodes, it could become a binary tree structure where each leaf node represents a device; the improved tree-structured neural network had the highest recognition performance for both two-class tasks (determining system failure or not) and multi-class tasks (identifying fault type).

IMPROVING TRADE EFFECTIVENESS THROUGH MERCHANDISING: THEORY AND PRACTICE

This article describes the main directions that determine the efficiency of the railway transport services, the relationship between the concepts of railway transport services, transport system and transport infrastructure and the mainfactors influencing the choice of mode of transport, suggestions for improvement are given.

ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RAILWAY TRANSPORT SYSTEM

This article describes the main directions that determine the efficiency of the railway transport services, the relationship between the concepts of railway transport services, transport system and transport infrastructure and the mainfactors influencing the choice of mode of transport, suggestions for improvement are given.

An Overview of Current Challenges and Emerging Technologies to Facilitate Increased Energy Efficiency, Safety, and Sustainability of Railway Transport

This article presents a review of cutting-edge technologies poised to shape the future of railway transportation systems, focusing on enhancing their intelligence, safety, and environmental sustainability. It illustrates key aspects of the energy-transport-information/communication system nexus as a framework for future railway systems development. Initially, we provide a review of the existing challenges within the realm of railway transportation. Subsequently, we delve into the realm of emerging propulsion technologies, which are pivotal for ensuring the sustainability of transportation. These include innovative solutions such as alternative fuel-based systems, hydrogen fuel cells, and energy storage technologies geared towards harnessing kinetic energy and facilitating power transfer. In the following section, we turn our attention to emerging information and telecommunication systems, including Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and fifth generation New Radio (5G NR) networks tailored for railway applications. Additionally, we delve into the integral role played by the Industrial Internet of Things (Industrial IoT) in this evolving landscape. Concluding our analysis, we examine the integration of information and communication technologies and remote sensor networks within the context of Industry 4.0. This leveraging of information pertaining to transportation infrastructure promises to bolster energy efficiency, safety, and resilience in the transportation ecosystem. Furthermore, we examine the significance of the smart grid in the realm of railway transport, along with the indispensable resources required to bring forth the vision of energy-smart railways.

Railways of India. Time to update and upgrade

By the second decade of the XXI century, the railway transport of India came up with an important result — the Program announced on April 1, 1992, called Unigauge for the transfer of the railway network to a single gauge of 1676 mm was basically completed. In 2022, the operational length of wide-gauge roads on the Indian railway network was 65,094 km, or 95.7 % of its entire length. This opened up the possibility of creating a modern unified railway transport system and organizing its optimal interaction with other modes of transport.The management of the railway transport of India, represented by the Ministry of Railways, has focused efforts on the modernization of all components of the large railway economy — strengthening track structures, upgrading bridge facilities, introducing modern means of ensuring train traffic and transportation safety, updating rolling stock. The basis for improving the work of railway transport is the electrification of railways, the completion of which is planned in the next decade.All decisions taken to modernize railways are aimed at reducing operating costs, improving efficiency, environmental cleanliness, comfort and speed of passenger travel, reducing the delivery time of goods, as well as improving the safety of transportation by rail.

Defect detection of ferromagnetic rail using EMAE-based peak-to-peak method and confidence probability indicator

Rail defect detection holds a vital role in bolstering the safety, improving operational efficiency, and optimizing the lifespan of infrastructures in railway transportation systems. This paper proposes an electromagnetic acoustic emission-based peak-to-peak (EMAE-PTP) method along with a dedicated confidence probability indicator (CPI) for ferromagnetic rail defect detection. Firstly, a comprehensive simulation model that blends Lorentz forces with magnetostrictive effects is built up, affirming the theoretical practicability of the proposed EMAE-PTP method in ferromagnetic rail defect detection. Taking into consideration of the contingency and difference in actual signals acquisition, a special indicator, namely CPI, is formulated as the defect evaluation threshold. Based on the Chebyshev inquality and the time-domain characteristic of acquired signals, this CPI delineates the range of peak-to-peak amplitudes related to non-defective state, with a confidence level up to 96%. By doing so, the numerically segregation of defect signals can be accomplished with ease. In addition, according to the detection coefficient calculated from CPI, the suitable excitation conditions for electromagnetic acoustic emission application are determined. In conclusion, the efficacy of the proposed approach for ferromagnetic rails defect detection is substantiated, encompassing a holistic assessment of both its theoretical underpinnings and experimental manifestations.

STUDY OF THE LIFE CYCLE OF RAILWAY TRANSPORT SERVICES USING DIGITAL METHODS IN LOGISTICS SYSTEMS

The article is devoted to the study of the life cycle of railway transport services in freight transportation. The features of the service are describe as a type of product. A parametric model of the life cycle of providing services by rail is construct from the moment of loading goods into wagons at the departure station to the moment of unloading at the destination station. There are the comparison of the service life cycle and the turnover of the car. Other operational indicators, features of their calculation and interrelation are also analyze. It is propose to minimize the service life cycle by digitalizing the rationing of operational indicators. It is present the calculation algorithm using by digital methods. The elements of the program interface for calculating and rationing operational indicators are given. The life cycle of the service is comparable to the turnover of the car, but does not take into account the empty mileage of the car. Minimizing the life cycle of products is an important aim, because it will reduce costs, increase the competitiveness and attractiveness of rail transport for cargo owners. Digitalization of the process of calculating and rationing operational indicators can solve this problem.
 Purpose. The purpose is to apply the product life cycle period to the railway transport service during freight transportation with the subsequent search for opportunities to improve the quality of services provided.
 Methodology. The article used the analysis of the provision of transportation services from the standpoint of quality management, modeling, as well as the creation of an algorithm and a program for digitalization of a number of operations.
 Results. The cargo transportation service is differentiate into stages of the life cycle period. It is present a parametric model. They are outline the ways of minimizing the life cycle, which will reduce costs, increase the competitiveness and attractiveness of railway transport for cargo owners. Digitalization of the stage of calculation and rationing of operational indicators can solve this problem
 Practical implications. It is advisable to apply the results obtained in the railway transportation system, in the work of operators and transport and logistics companies, in the management of the car fleet.

Research on and Assessment of the Reliability of Railway Transport Systems with Induction Motors

Increasing the efficiency and reliability of modern railway transport is accompanied by an increase in monitoring and diagnostic systems for the current state of electric drives. Modern railway transport contains a large number of induction motors to ensure the operation of the drives of various mechanisms. In the article, based on the operational statistics of engine failures and the proposed scheme for diagnosing them, studies were carried out and a model was developed for assessing the reliability of a transport system equipped with an on-board diagnostic system for the current state. When building the models, the Markov method was used, including the construction of graphs for the five most relevant states of the induction electric motor during operation. The results obtained are relevant for evaluating the effectiveness of using the built-in diagnostic system and scheduling routine maintenance, which will affect the efficiency of railway transport. Based on the process of the diagnosis of railway transport systems with induction motors, five operating states of the object studied were interpreted: the state of full operation, state “S0”; the state of incomplete serviceability, state “S1”; critical serviceability, state “S2”; the state of the pre-damage condition, state “S3”; the state of unserviceability (defect), state “S4”. Subsequently, a five-state model of the operation process of railway transport systems with induction motors was developed. This model is also described by equations of state: Kolmogorov–Chapman equations. The reliability quantities determined form the basis for simulation reliability studies. The effect of the simulation study is the reliability quantities determined in the form of reliability functions and probabilities of the occurrences of the operating states of railway transport systems with induction motors; an important part of the reliability study of the system examined is to estimate the times of the occurrences in the object studied of the operating states in the future.