Sustainable Railway Research Articles

Analysis of the Application and Prospects of Intelligent Technology in Sustainable Railway Operations

With the rapid development of technology, intelligent technology plays an increasingly important role in the sustainable operation of railways. This paper explores the application and prospects of intelligent technology in sustainable railway operations, emphasizing its key roles in enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening safety assurance, optimizing passenger experience, and promoting environmental protection and energy conservation. Through intelligent dispatching, real-time monitoring, big data prediction, personalized services, and mobile ticketing technologies, the railway system achieves efficient resource allocation and service innovation. The intelligent transformation of railways demonstrates significant economic and social benefits, contributing to emission reduction targets and sustainable development. Future efforts should focus on strengthening top-level design, technological innovation, standard construction, and network security to advance the intelligent railway process and co-create a new era of smart, green, and efficient railway transportation.

Study on instrumental coupler for heavy haul train

As a crucial load-bearing component, coupler’s safety is pivotal for sustainable railway industry development and is extensively scrutinized due to its complex loading environment. However, current research predominantly concentrates on the longitudinal dynamic behavior of couplers, neglecting factors such as nodding and shaking during traversals along curves and ramps. This study proposes an innovative method aimed at identifying multiple loads on couplers, which includes longitudinal tension and compression, lateral shaking, and vertical nodding forces. A theoretical load identification method based on strain sum and difference on coupler shank faces under various loading scenarios is established by finite element analysis. To facilitate accurate measurement, Wheatstone bridges are employed for three-dimensional force measurement, facilitating strain calculation and temperature compensation. The validity of the proposed approach is confirmed through comprehensive validation, encompassing finite element simulation, laboratory experimentation, and vehicle tests. Results demonstrate the robustness of the method, with maximum load deviations of 2.32% longitudinally, 22.52% horizontally, and 19.86% vertically observed during laboratory tests. Results indicate the proposed method’s accuracy and efficiency in heavy haul train coupler load assessment.

Steel Slag Sub-Ballast for Sustainable Railway Track Infrastructure

Steel Slag Sub-Ballast for Sustainable Railway Track Infrastructure

Mobilizing railway track stability with nonionic cement asphalt mortar for floating sleeper mitigation – 2D/3D numerical investigation and full-scale testing verification

This study addresses the mitigation of the floating sleeper phenomenon in ballasted railway tracks through the implementation of Nonionic Cement Asphalt Mortar (CAM). Full-scale testing experiments evaluate track performance with and without CAM stabilization, revealing its efficacy in forming a robust membrane between ballast particles to reinforce the track-bed structure. Wheel load modeling, including static and dynamic, train movement modeling, roadbed pressure analysis, distribution of load, and track rigidity analysis. Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) establishes CAM's cost-effectiveness by significantly reducing settlement and ensuring long-term durability. Numerical simulations using ABAQUS demonstrate CAM's effectiveness in stabilizing deteriorated ballast. Furthermore, the simulations prove capable of detecting the floating sleeper phenomenon in the full-scale test bed, offering valuable insights into real-world applications. Both 2D and 3D modeling consistently show a more than 30% reduction in initial settlement and a 0.5 mm displacement in CAM-reinforced ballast compared to controls. Plastic displacement in new ballast is consistently 50% less in the initial 50,000 cycles, with ultimate plastic settlement reduced by 40%, indicating the robustness of CAM across different modeling dimensions. The dataset analysis identifies a floating sleeper issue, evidenced by pressure variations in deteriorated ballast. In the control and simulation sections, there is a pressure drop from 65 kPa to 28 kPa, while the reinforced section maintains stable pressures (50 kPa, 36.5 kPa, 10 kPa) with closely aligned predicted values. Despite pressure reduction in simulated zones, the dataset strongly supports concerns about the substantial pressure decrease due to the floating sleeper phenomenon. LCCA substantiates CAM's economic advantage, showcasing a 79.7% cost reduction over 60 years, endorsing CAM as a sustainable maintenance strategy. In conclusion, CAM stabilization effectively mitigates the floating sleeper effect, ensuring long-term track durability, and providing valuable contributions to sustainable railway infrastructure design and maintenance practices.

Enhancing Sustainable Railway Station Design in Tropical Climates: Insights from Thailand’s Architectural Theses and Case Studies

An environmentally conscious architectural design of a railway station can have a substantial influence on government spending. Nevertheless, an extensive collection of guidelines for using sustainable design principles in the construction of a railway station can provide several advantages. The goal is to review design visions for railway stations in Thailand, as reflected in student theses and government proposals, from 1983 to 2022 for sustainable design aspects in tropical climates. We perform an analysis of architectural design aspects including service areas, shape, entrances, roofing, style, and development in order to uncover design trends and possible areas that may be enhanced. Station designs are mostly characterized by curved and gable roofs, with 3D curved buildings being the next most common feature. High speed rail (HSR) stations stress local cultural elements in their major entrances while also improving passenger flow. Public buildings frequently employ curved or gabled porticos to achieve a majestic look. Although university theses place a high importance on conceptual design and functionality, it is essential to also consider cost-effectiveness. Key design considerations for future railway stations are transparency, connection, efficient mobility, and cost–time efficiency. The research uncovers deficiencies in user-centered design for thermal comfort and inclusiveness (design-for-all) in Thailand’s tropical environment. Addressing these aspects is critical for future sustainable railway station design evaluations.

Experimental Monitoring of Dynamic Parameters of the Sub-Ballast Layers as a Prerequisite for a High-Quality and Sustainable Railway Line

Monitoring dynamic load transfer from train traffic to sub-ballast layers is crucial for verifying the reliability and safety of railway lines, assessing the design cost-effectiveness and achieving minimum environmental impact. For this purpose, measurements in labs, in situ or modeling the influence of dynamic loads on the immediate and long-term roadway quality are often performed using suitable software. The available test sections enabled monitoring of the dynamic loads and optimizing the critical spots where increased dynamic effects from railway traffic may occur. The subject of this paper is the calibration of the sensors installed in the different test sections of the trans-European corridor number V. As a result, the necessary input parameters for the subsequent numerical modeling of the dynamic effects on the track substructure and vibration propagation on the available sections of the upgraded railway line were obtained. The sensor calibration was carried out on the experimental field, part of the Experimental Basis of the Department of Railway Engineering and Track Management. As part of the calibration, the sensitivity of the sensors embedded in the track bed to the applied dynamic loads resulting from the impact effects of the lightweight deflectometer was assessed. The result of the calibration was the demonstration of sufficient sensitivity of the sensors and their suitability for implementation in an actual railway track structure, with the aim of obtaining relevant values of the response of the sub-ballast layers to dynamic loads and assessing the operational impacts on the sustainable environment. Also, the main result of the research was the possibility of using the theoretical–experimental route to optimize the layers of the railway body.

Диагностика неисправностей тягового электродвигателя электропоезда ЭД9Т методом спектрального анализа тока в обмотке якоря

The results of the research in the sphere of the efficiency increase of functioning of the traction electric motor of the ED9T electric train have been presented. Smooth and sustainable railway transport operation depends greatly on the reliability of the traction motor of the ED9T electric train and its efficiency of use. The most widespread damages in the armature winding of the traction motor of ED9T electric train are violations of the terms of the armature commuting, inter-winding faults because of the damage of the insulation of coil turns, closure of winding on the case («ground») and double closures on the ground. The authors offered a logarithmical spectral method of diagnostics allowing to determine malfunctions on the results of mathematical spectrogram processing for rapid clarification of the faults of the armature windings of the traction electric motor.

The Application of Bamboo in the Railway Industry: A Sustainable Solution for Track Construction

The railway industry has shown a strong interest in utilizing sustainable materials, including recycled materials and composites, in construction. Bamboo, as a highly renewable natural resource, has been proposed as a construction material for the railway industry. This material offers several advantages, such as high strength and durability, sustainability, low embodied energy, and ease of handling. It has been used in various construction materials like plywood, scrimber, laminates, and fibers. This paper aims to review the application of bamboo as a material in the railway industry and provide suggestions for its future use as railway sleepers. The mechanical properties of bamboo and its desirable features for sleeper construction, such as versatility, durability, low embodied energy and carbon footprint, lightweight, and ease of handling, are discussed. Bamboo-based products like plywood and scrimber can offer higher mechanical properties compared to traditional timber sleepers. Moreover, due to its rapid growth rate, bamboo is considered an environmentally friendly material. However, there are certain factors that limit the widespread deployment of bamboo in the railway industry. For instance, the lightweight nature of bamboo can reduce the lateral resistance of sleepers. Additionally, long-term performance studies and its performance in regions with varying weather conditions need to be further investigated. This review paper aims to promote the increased utilization of bamboo in the railway industry, contributing to the development of sustainable railway tracks. By considering the mechanical properties and advantageous characteristics of bamboo, it is possible to explore its potential as a viable and eco-friendly material for railway sleepers.

A systemic approach to sustainable railway infrastructure planning: the case study of Milton Keynes

PurposeWith the rise in demand and adoption of smart city initiatives, it is imperative to plan the railway infrastructure, as it will have a huge positive impact if adequately integrated into the planning process. Given the complexities involved, a whole systems thinking framework provides a useful platform for rail transport planners.Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes a simple, adoptable framework utilising systems thinking concepts and techniques taking into cognisance the key stakeholders. Milton Keynes in the United Kingdom is the adopted case study.FindingsSelected systems thinking tools and techniques are adopted to develop a framework for mapping stakeholders and attributes when developing sustainable rail transport systems, taking note of their core functionalities and the complex systems wherein they exist.Practical implicationsThe desire to build future (smart) cities is to effectively match infrastructural resources with a rapidly growing population, and the railway sector can play a strategic role in building a much more competitive low-carbon-emission transport system, which is a driving force for sustainable development.Social implicationsThe urban rail service has become vital to urban development as railway stations serve as hubs for sustainable mobility to meet local requirements. Moreover, it takes extra effort to input railway development into smart city plans, as it is a herculean task to get governments to focus on it with clarity of purpose in passing legislation.Originality/valueThe developed framework reduces complexities when planning and designing rail transport systems compared to many of the existing reductionist planning approaches. The simplicity of the framework would also make it easily adoptable by a wide range of users.

Sustainable railways for Morocco: a comprehensive energy and environmental assessment

This study provides a comprehensive environmental impact assessment of different train types in Morocco, including passenger-only, goods-only, and mixed-use services. Through a comparative evaluation based on climate change, respiratory effects, and acidification/eutrophication, we find that passenger-only trains exhibit the highest environmental impact across all categories due to their high energy consumption and emissions. Conversely, goods-only and mixed-use trains display markedly lower environmental impacts, emphasizing the role of service type and operational efficiency in mitigating environmental harm. Our findings underscore the need for strategic optimization in train services, particularly passenger-only operations, and open the door for comprehensive economic and environmental assessments of alternative train technologies and fuel mixtures in the context of Morocco’s decarbonization plans.

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

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

Decarbonization of the concrete railway sleeper production: bringing the low-dosage pozzolanic cement usage in the sleeper production via novel laminated CFRPU reinforcement technique

This study presents four new concrete railway sleeper models' environmental emission and service life investigations. Both of these two factors are crucial for a sustainable railway sleeper model. Investigated sleepers are solely reinforced with engineered laminated carbon-fiber-reinforced polyurethane (L-CFRPU) materials. This novel concrete sleeper reinforcement technique was needed to overcome the following two challenges preferred because of the environmental sustainability objectives: First, the new LCR-G-type sleepers are produced with a 30% lower (on average) cement dosage. Second, an eco-friendly cement containing approximately 50% natural pozzolan is utilized. Accordingly, the new sleeper model's total concrete raw materials-based equivalent CO2 emission value is 54% less (on average) than conventional concrete railway sleepers. This emission decrease (decarbonization) rate is well above the other eco-friendly concrete sleeper studies in the literature. However, the compressive strength of the sleeper concrete has almost halved. For this reason, investigations continued with the mechanical strength tests specified in the concrete sleeper standards for preliminary service life evaluations. For these purposes, in this study, the latest EN 13230-3:2016 standard test setup was used with some improvements, such as precise deflection measurements oriented to the sleeper-rail-seat- center points. The test results show that all four models of new LCR-G-type sleeper variations have met the sleeper technical specifications' static strength limits and crack-reclosing conditions. Consequently, it is recommended to investigate further the sustainability potential of this new concrete sleeper production method, whose preliminary evaluations have been made in this study for the first time in the literature.

An Analysis of Dynamics of Retaining Wall Supported Embankments: Towards More Sustainable Railway Designs

Retaining walls are structures used to retain earth materials on a slope. Typically, they are designed for static loads, but for highway and railway infrastructures, vehicle-induced dynamic responses are also relevant. Therefore, retaining wall structures are often designed with a factor of safety that is higher than necessary, because it can be challenging to quantify the magnitude of expected dynamic stresses during the design stage. This unnecessary increase in material usage reduces the sustainability of the infrastructures. To improve railway retaining wall sustainability, this paper presents the results from a field monitoring campaign on a heavy-haul rail line with a retaining wall, studying the dynamics induced in response to 30-ton axle load trains running at speeds of between 5 km/h and 100 km/h. The site comprises an earth embankment supported by a gravity retaining wall, with accelerometers on the sleepers, roadbed surface, and retaining wall, velocity sensors on the roadbed, and strain gauges on the rail web to record wheel–rail forces. The vibration intensities collected from various locations are processed to explore the peak particle velocities, maximum transient vibration values, and one-third octave band spectrums. Two transfer functions define the vibration transmission characteristics and attenuation of vibration amplitude along the propagation path. The long-term dynamic stability of the track formation is studied using dynamic shear strain derived from the effective velocity. The peaks of observed contact forces and vibrations are statistically analyzed to assess the impact of train speed on the dynamic behavior of the infrastructure system. Next, a 3D numerical model expresses the maximum stress and displacements on the roadbed surface as a function of train speed. The model evaluates the earth pressures at rest and vehicle-induced additional earth pressures and horizontal wall movement. The investigation provides new insights into the behavior of railway track retaining walls under train loading, and the field data are freely available for other researchers to download. The findings could facilitate the design of more sustainable retaining walls in the future.

Weathering resistance of Linz–Donawitz (LD) slag as ballast material using freeze-thaw and sulfate soundness

As nonrenewable natural aggregates with acceptable geotechnical properties become scarce, costly, and entail negative environmental impacts, the study of alternatives remains a first-order challenge for sustainable railway design. This paper focuses on the physical and chemical weathering effects of the industrial byproduct Linz–Donawitz (LD) slag as a ballast material. For this purpose, 75 freeze–thaw (F-T) and 40 sulfate soundness (SS) cycles were carried out on the byproduct. We present a series of laboratory experiments involving particle characteristics, durability and strength for different F-T and SS cycles. To benchmark the performance of LD slag, we also performed our experiments on two natural aggregates: gneiss and basalt. Our main findings reveal that: (i) the shape of LD slag ballast and its particle size distribution are unnafected by the F-T and SS cycles, (ii) the basalt exhibits higher magnitudes of fouling after SS cycles, (iii) losses in Los Angeles abrasion and shock resistance were much more pronounced in SS tests for all ballast materials, (iv) LD slag is more resistant and less susceptible to the degrading effects of freezing and thawing, (v) point load tests indicate that the loss of resistance of basalt is small compared to that of gneiss, (vi) the byproduct showed a decrease in strength of 87% after 40 SS cycles, suggesting that chemical weathering exerts a dominant control on the performance of LD slag. The findings are relevant to elucidate the physical and chemical weathering effects of LD slag and to promote its sustainable use.

Assessing the Land Reclamation Suitability of Beam Fabrication and Storage Yard in Railway Construction: An AHP-MEA Method.

Railway construction contributes to socio-economic development but causes the occupation and destruction of land resources. How to effectively restore the temporary land and achieve efficient and rational reuse therefore becomes particularly important. The beam fabrication and storage yard (BFSY), as a large temporary facility during railway construction, occupies a large area of land. However, BFSYs damage the land in the way of pressing and may harden the ground to a high degree due to the use of high-density pile foundations, adversely affecting the soil properties. Therefore, this research aims to develop a model for evaluating the land reclamation suitability (LRS) of BFSY. The LRS evaluation indicator system of BFSY was firstly constructed based on the literature review and expert interviews. Then, an indicator-based model for assessing the LRS of BFSY was developed by integrating the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model and the matter-element analysis (MEA) model. A case project in China was chosen to demonstrate and validate the developed model, and results show that the proposed model can rationally evaluate the LRS of BFSY in railway construction. The findings of this research enrich the knowledge system of sustainable railway construction and guide construction managers to conduct practical suitability assessments of land reclamation.

Generative Adversarial Network-based Fault Diagnosis Model for Railway Point Machine in Sustainable Railway Transportation

Generative Adversarial Network-based Fault Diagnosis Model for Railway Point Machine in Sustainable Railway Transportation

Generative adversarial network-based fault diagnosis model for railway point machine in sustainable railway transportation

Generative adversarial network-based fault diagnosis model for railway point machine in sustainable railway transportation

Internet of Things for sustainable railway transportation: Past, present, and future

The Internet of Things (IoT) symbolizes numerous devices which are connected globally through the internet technology and are able to collect and share relevant data. The IoT has thus achieved a significant advancement in the field of sensors, networks, and communication technologies, such as long-term evolution (LTE) technology, fifth generation (5G) technology, wireless sensor networks (WSN), and others. Apart from technological advancements, the ability of IoT to run fully embedded (with or without an operating system), gather real-time data, estimate physical parameters, facilitate decision making based on the data gathered, use of various networks (e.g., local area networks (LAN), low-power wide-area network (LPWAN), cellular LPWAN) has provided enormous opportunities for its applications in the railway industry and other domains. The current study performs a comprehensive holistic survey of various IoT technologies that can be used in railway operations, management, maintenance, video surveillance, and safety at level crossings. This study also discusses current trends in the IoT, emerging IoT technologies, green IoT applications, and various research studies that have been conducted in the areas related to railway applications. Furthermore, various challenges that are associated with the IoT applications are discussed along with potential efforts that can be made to overcome these challenges. The outcomes of this work are expected to offer important insights regarding the applicability of IoT technologies for sustainable railway transportation, their future potential, operational benefits to relevant stakeholders and authorities, as well as critical future research needs that have to be addressed in the following years.

Innovation for Sustainable Railway Usage and Maintenance In A Smart City. Study of Mobolaji Johnson Train Station Lagos, Nigeria

Innovation for Sustainable Railway Usage and Maintenance In A Smart City. Study of Mobolaji Johnson Train Station Lagos, Nigeria

Evaluation on the full-scale testbed performance of lightweight foamed soil using railroad loading system

The accumulated critical settlement usually occurs at the railway bridge approach zone due to the sudden variation in track stiffness and the difference in foundation property. This problem leads to the fast degradation of the whole track structure. Therefore, this research aims to develop a novel backfill material that helps improve the displacement resistance of the track’s supporting layer. The new flowable fill material is designed to gain the advantage of self-leveling, lightweight, and strong stress-bearing capacity through utilizing of local excavated soil, cement, and preformed foam. To cope with this objective, three full-scale testbed sections were constructed including a controlled section (conventional cement treated base), lightweight clay soil section (CL), and lightweight silty soil section (SM). Using the railroad loading system (RSL) to replicate actual trainload behaviour, a static wheel load (0-120kN) and dynamic wheel load (600,000 cyclic sinusoidal loads, 5 Hz) are applied on the surface to record the internal roadbed pressure, elastic, and plastic displacement of the backfill layer. Test results indicate significant improvement of both novel backfill materials compared to conventional cement treated base. With an average reduction for roadbed pressure and displacement of >35% on static loading, and >30% on dynamic loads. Track stiffness was also improved by up to 40% after 300,000 cyclic loads. Overall, all three sections meet the Korea roadbed design standards having a plastic settlement < 3 mm after 1 million dynamic trainloads. This promising solution can be applied in multiple regions to promote the development of sustainable railway backfill at bridge transition.