Tram Infrastructure Research Articles

Update of the interstate standard “Reinforced concrete slabs for tramway track pavements”

Introduction. Development of urban public transport networks in Russian cities involves modernization and improvement of rail transport to increase its traveling comfort, carrying capacity and reliability. Tram transport is environmentally friendly and has a high passenger capacity. The combination as well as the intersection of rail and pneumatic transport in the urban environment is considered to be an urgent issue. In this regard, State Standard 19231 “Reinforced concrete slabs for tramway track pavements. Specifications” is needed to be revised and updated due to changes in the requirements for concrete and emergence of new classes of steel reinforcement.Aim. To update State Standard 19231 in order to bring products for tram infrastructure to the proper regulatory and technological parameters in compliance with current requirements.Materials and methods. The present study involves an analysis of existing regulatory documents in the field of reinforced concrete materials and products, as well as a bibliographical research of works and expert opinions.Results. Updating the standard resulted in the establishment of specifications that meet the current demand, both in terms of regulations and scientific research.Conclusions. The updated interstate State Standard 19231 will contribute to a higher quality design and production of reinforced concrete slabs for tramway pavements, which will surely enhance their reliability and durability.

The Functioning of the Tram Infrastructure in the Cities of the Chelyabinsk Region in 1941–1945

Introduction. During the Great Patriotic War, the main function most characteristic of the tram infrastructure of the Union was most pronounced – the connection between workers and industrial enterprises. The historical experience of overcoming the total shortage of material and human resources in the context of the reorientation of the country’s economy towards defense needs is relevant today to identify the main elements of a sustainable urban life support system. Analysis of the historiography of the tram demonstrates a paradox: on the one hand, the period 1941–1945 affected in most local studies of the tram, on the other hand, researchers paid attention to individual components of the tram infrastructure. The purpose of the study is based on the characteristics of the tram infrastructure in the cities of the Chelyabinsk region in 1941–1945 identify the factors that had the greatest impact on it and show management decisions taken in connection with the problems that arose. Materials and Methods. The study was carried out on the basis of an analysis of unpublished sources found in the funds of federal and regional archives, materials of local periodicals. The methodological framework of the study is the anthropology of infrastructure and model of mobilization development, the main method is case-study. Results. Tram infrastructure in most cities of the RSFSR in 1941–1945 did not meet the growing needs of society. In many cities that had trams, the depots were not fully staffed, tram tracks and electrical facilities needed repairs. Discussion and Conclusion. Analyzing the state of tram tracks, electrical facilities, stops, depots in Chelyabinsk, Zlatoust, Magnitogorsk, the author reveals the reasons for the plight of the tram in these cities, referring to the situation in the RSFSR, the state of infrastructure at the stage of its construction and launch in the first half of the 1930s.

Influence of the Analytical Segment Length on the Tram Track Quality Assessment

In the track quality analysis, numerical values representing the relative condition of track geometry called track quality indices (TQIs) are calculated along a specific track segment. Segments are defined as linear track geometry datasets with the homogeneous characteristics of factors affecting geometry degradation. The 200m-long analytical segment is used most often on inter-city conventional and high-speed rail networks. However, in the case of the small urban rail networks, the homogeneity of track-geometry degradation influential factors is very low. This segment length is usually too long for efficient track maintenance or reconstruction with minimal disruption of the urban traffic. This paper explores the effect of reducing the analytical segment length in the condition assessment of the tram network in the City of Osijek, Croatia. The research had two main objectives: (1) to assess the narrow-gauge tram-track geometry quality through the application of the established synthesized TQIs, and (2) to analyze how a change in the analytical segment length affects this assessment. Two synthesized track quality indices—one based on a weighted value and the other on a standard deviation of measured track geometry parameters—were calculated for the 27.5 km of tracks on consecutive 200-, 100-, 50-, and 25 m long analytical segments. The comparative analysis of the TQIs’ calculation results showed that the reduction in the segment length increased the resolution of the track quality analysis in both cases, while the index based on a weighted value of geometry deviations proved less sensitive to this reduction. These results contribute to further segmentation process establishment and TQIs implementation on tram infrastructure.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ТЕХНІКО-ЕКОНОМІЧНИХ ПОКАЗНИКІВ ФУНКЦІОНУВАННЯ ТРАМВАЙНИХ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ УКРАЇНИ

The existing problem of low profitability of passenger transportation, which is common for all public transport utilities, also has some common reasons that gave rise to them. The economic and management problems of the industry multiplied by the unsatisfactory level of transport services quality determine its low competitiveness. The article considers the groups of indicators determining the economic condition of the enterprises under consideration. These include: the state of the rolling stock inventory, the age of tram cars on the balance sheet of enterprises, the state of the tram infrastructure, as well as financial indicators. The article describes in detail the volume of passenger traffic over the past 10 years and changes in the balance of income and expenses of tram enterprises in the country. For the first time, the analysis of indicators of the efficiency of financial and operational activities of tram enterprises in the country has been made. Both the technical and economic level of a component of urban public transport – tram enterprises, and economic and technical factors influencing their crisis state has been determined. It is concluded that for the complete, timely and high-quality satisfaction of the people’s need for transportation, tram enterprises need to focus on improving their own technical and economic indicators taking into consideration the quality of the services provided and the safety of passenger transportation. Despite some positive shifts (extensive modernization of used tram cars, good prospects for establishing the production of domestic trams, repair and reconstruction of tram tracks and energy facilities, and others), the industry is still in a deep crisis, and only an integrated approach to solving urgent problems will allow the industry to reach a break-even level in the future. A comprehensive solution to the problems of improving the technical and economic indicators of tram enterprises functioning is an important component of improving the quality, safety and reliability of transport services for the residents of our cities, will make cities and towns of Ukraine safer places from the environmental point of view.

Assessment of the Impact of Public Transport Accessibility on the Value of Urban Residential Real Estate

Currently, analysis of the impact of public transport on real estate and its value is widely demanded in the world. The analysis is used to plan investments in public transport and the efficiency of public transport networks. In Russia, such studies have been carried out mainly in the framework of the evaluation of specific properties, which does not make it possible to macroanalyze the urban public transport environment and compare them with each other. The aim of the work is to study the influence of the proximity of public transport infrastructure on the cost of urban residential real estate, to determine the average value of such an impact for Yekaterinburg. In this study, we intend to confirm the hypothesis about different influence of the proximity of a public transport stop on the cost of housing, taking into account the different set of attributes that characterize it. The calculations were carried out using the analysis of the supply of the real estate market, carried out with the method of multiple regression, simultaneously with the geo-positioning of real estate units on the map to calculate the distance of each object to the nearest public transport stop of a certain type. Based on the results of the calculations, a global tendency towards a higher cost of the properties that are close to tram stops or metro stations in Yekaterinburg is confirmed, and the share of the value of a property generated by the proximity of a public transport stop was calculated. The authors confirmed the hypothesis about varying sensitivity of residential real estate to the proximity of public transport stops. Newer homes have lower sensitivity to proximity to public transport stops than older ones. The obtained empirical evidence of the influence of public transport infrastructure on the value of residential real estate demonstrates the most significant contribution to the value of a real estate object, the proximity to the metro station in Yekaterinburg (3.0 – 12.0%). The tram infrastructure showed a slightly lower impact on the total cost of the facility (3.2 – 8.8%). The revealed interdependencies make it possible to apply the obtained data to forecasting the growth of the taxable base for property tax during the construction of new transport lines.

Public Transport and Soviet Industrialisation: The Tram Service in the Socialist City of Magnitogorsk (USSR)

ABSTRACT This article traces the development of the tram service in Magnitogorsk, one of the first socialist cities in the USSR. It first outlines the emergence of the city and the construction of the tramway in different facets: the building of tram lines, the development of tram routes and the creation of tram infrastructure. The article also discusses the influences of climate peculiarities, ideological concepts and Soviet planned economy. The focus then turns to the initial condition and development of the tram rolling stock. The main technical characteristics of the tramcars used in Soviet cities from the 1930s to the 1950s are provided.

Ways of protection from noise pollution in railway and tramway infrastructure

The paper presents various ways of protection from traffic noise used in railway infrastructure in Poland. The sources of noise in rail and tram transport were discussed. Also commonly found solutions on the railway network were analyzed such as noise barriers and rail dampers. Modern tram surfaces have been presented as one of the noise protection methods in the tram infrastructure. In the tram infrastructure a noise protection method was presented in the form of tram track lubricators on sharp curves. In addition, the effectiveness of noise protection methods was assessed on the basis of tests and research.

Birds using tram tracks in Poznań (Poland): Species, infrastructure use and behaviour

Transport infrastructures, mainly roads and railways, influence many aspects of bird life. The use of trams in urban areas for mass transit has been suggested as having a lower impact on the environment. However, to date, the impact of tram tracks and the surrounding infrastructure on birds has not been directly tested. Therefore, we posed two questions during a study of tramways in Poznań (western Poland): (1) which bird species use tram tracks and their infrastructure; and (2) how does their behaviour respond to moving trams. Tram tracks were recorded as used by 11 species, with four corvids (jackdaw Corvus monedula, rook Corvus frugilegus, magpie Pica pica and hooded crow Corvus cornix) totalling 66% of records and feral pigeon Columba livia contributing a further 24%. Species showed different usage patterns of the tram infrastructure. In the case of rook during winter, significantly more birds were observed further from a tram stop. In summer, a higher density of jackdaws occurred where track surroundings were vegetated, and both hooded crows in winter and magpies in winter were more abundant where track geometry was more complex. During our field work only two dead birds on tram tracks were observed. The results of this study, and a literature survey of other transport options, suggest that tram tracks are not very dangerous for birds, and at least from this point of view, can be recommended as an environmentally friendly transport system in urban areas.

Assessing Tram Infrastructure Safety Using the Example of the City of Gdańsk

Abstract Analysis of Gdańsk tram network statistics shows that incidents are quite frequent (about 650 within five years) and mostly involve collisions and crashes. As well as reducing the tram systems’ efficiency and reliability, incidents have a negative effect on road safety. As Polish cities extend their tram networks, they must also ensure that their existing networks are safe. This is to be achieved by conducting safety assessments. The article presents different assessment methods, at different stages of tram infrastructure lifecycle, providing a basis for a comprehensive diagnosis and recommendations for improvement. The objective of the study was to conduct a comprehensive safety assessment and analysis of the existing and planned tram network across Gdańsk, using different study methods and tools.

Identifying Selected Tram Transport Risks

In the area of transport infrastructure risks, infrastructure is inspected for safety. It is an element of transport safety management based on risk management and forms part of preventative activities and measures. As regards tram infrastructure which is a component of urban transport infrastructure, there are potential collisions with cars, cyclists and pedestrians. Data from Gdansk Buses and Trams (GAiT) shows that between 2012 and 2016 on average there were about 650 incidents involving trams (collisions and accidents). The objective of inspection will be to identify sources of hazards which may lead to tram accidents or indirectly when tram infrastructure may contribute to accidents not involving trams. The objective of the work is to identify the risks to urban public transport operation with a special focus on trams and to formulate recommendations on how to improve its quality and safety.

The influence of tram tracks on car vehicle speed and noise emission at four-approach intersections located on multilane arteries in cities

In the article the mathematical models and results of research conducted at the intersection located on multilane artery in big city in Poland have been presented. The research allowed to describe the relationship between the speed of car vehicles and the occurrence of the tram tracks, which may be important in determining the empirical capacity of intersections located on multilane arteries in cities. This dependency may be used when updating the methods of estimation of the capacity of road intersections in Poland [1], what is the original achievement of the authors. Moreover, the results of research of noise emission in the aspect of speed change of car vehicles and the occurrence of the tram tracks have been presented. In addition, the research problem is of particular importance in the process of selecting the intersection type, which is very important during the planning and organizing traffic at intersections located in cities, where the development of the tram infrastructure is being observed.

Filling the space between trams and place: Adapting the ‘Movement & Place’ framework to Melbourne's tram network

Melbourne's legacy tram network is being modernised including redesign of over 1700 tram stops to provide level access boarding to comply with Australia's Disability Discrimination Act. This presents a significant opportunity to reimagine how tram corridor streetscapes can function as places that build upon neighbourhood identity and sustain local economic activity. However, the literature on the connection between transport infrastructure and place quality is small and relatively new. This is particularly true for street-running light rail (also referred to as ‘tram’ or ‘streetcar’) infrastructure. Based on the ‘movement and place’ model, this research presents a new framework to define place types served by Melbourne trams, as well as the different tram link types relating to tram infrastructure used to get people to/from those destinations. It implements the framework to the network and explores variation in movement and place framework links including categorisation of links into four tram streetscape groups. Implications of the framework for policy and future research are discussed.

Identification of safety hazards and their sources in tram transport

Both in Poland and in most countries of the European Union, the tram infrastructure is extensively expanding. Contemporary low-floor trams are constructed according to different technical assumptions than typical railway vehicles or high floor trams. In Poland such vehicles rides often on lines designed according to standards developed to the classical vehicles. At the same time, the intensity of road traffic and the number of people using cycling are increasing in cities, which causes into a greater number of dangerous situations at the contact points between various modes of transport. The scope of this article is the analysis of safety hazards in tram transportation and indication of methods for their reduction. It will be a specific analysis of the risk occurring in tram transport. The article presents a division and description of factors that pose a safety hazard to tram traffic. Threats were divided due to the reason for its occuring and due to its effects. The reasons were divided into Human Factor – Vehicle – Road – Traffic - Surroundings. Based on the analysis conducted on the tram network in Gdańsk and on the used rolling stock, the main safety hazards of tram traffic were identified.

Analysis of Dynamic Response of Tramway on Tracks with Varying Level of Maintenance

Abstract The paper presents feature of geometric track irregularities occurring on tram infrastructure with varying levels of maintenance and their influence on vehicle’s dynamic response. Measurements of vehicle’s model masses accelerations were conducted during rides on chosen track sections projecting real geometry. Frequency characteristics of vibration accelerations obtained from simulation and spectra of measured track irregularities were shown and compared to find the relationship between them.

The Effect of Rail Fastening System Modifications on Tram Traffic Noise and Vibration

Tram system is a backbone of public transportation in the City of Zagreb. In the last decade, its fleet has been renewed by 142 new low-floor trams. Shortly after their introduction, it was observed that they have a negative impact on the exploitation behavior of tram infrastructure, primarily on the durability of rail fastening systems. Because of that, it was decided to modify existing rail fastening systems to the new track exploitation conditions. When the (re)construction of tram infrastructure is carried out by applying new systems and technologies, it is necessary to take into account their impact on the future propagation of noise and vibration in the environment. This paper gives a short overview of the characteristics of the two newly developed rail fastening systems for Zagreb tram tracks, their application in construction of experimental track section, and performance and comparison of noise and vibration measurements results. Measured data on track vibrations and noise occurring during passage of the tram vehicles is analyzed in terms of track decay rates and equivalent noise levels of passing referent vehicle. Vibroacoustic performance of new fastening systems is evaluated and compared to referent fastening system, in order to investigate their ability to absorb vibration energy induced by tram operation and to reduce noise emission.

Comprehensive 3D Measurements of Tram Tracks in the Tunnel Using the Combination of Laser Scanning Technology and Traditional TPS/GPS Surveying

Urban Transport systems in big cities face many challenges because of continuous growth of the urban population, amount of cars and general overload of the public transportation. Challenges which the urban transport is facing have consequences for households, businesses and the whole urban community. Urban transportation takes a special part in linking economic growth and collective development as well as extensive negative impact on citizens’ health and surrounding environment. Many financial institutions and governments support cities and countries in their endeavor to build and improve transport infrastructure and systems to solve above issues.Within the other modern cities also Kraków with its almost 800 thousand people population is being challenged also in this regards. During the recent decades there has been done a major change in its urban transportation network. Trams rails network with a modern tram machines was defined as the one of the most important for the system. In Kraków the project is called “Krakow's Fast Tram”. Along with this extraordinary development there needs to be adopted and efficiently used a way to verify and maintain transportation infrastructure. Among the others the laser scanning with its incredible functionality and speed is becoming an answer for this demand. In the lane with data capturing the proper data management and access is coming. The authors used and underlined a big benefit of the combination of available metrology techniques including accurate total station measurements, laser scanning and GPS positioning. The project was started by measuring the Fast Tram Tunnel in Kraków with techniques mentioned above. The next step was to post process the data and assure proper quality so it can be used in all disciplines. To illustrate this innovative combination of techniques and possible use for various disciplines there has been prepared verification of transition curve, circulation curve, track gauge, cant and other parameters which are standard deliverables for tram track geometry studies. On the other hand the scan data management portal has been created with scan data available through the web site regardless the location.Finally with regards to the rapid development of the city infrastructure and community it is extremely important to use all currently available measuring techniques in an efficient and modern way which has to be fast and flexible enough to cope current demands. In this particular study laser scanning together with other surveying and analytics techniques helps to verify and maintenance tram infrastructure in urban transportation today and very likely will be the best method as well in the future.