Urban Railway System Research Articles

The effects of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) systems on land values

Investigates the evolution of mass rapid transit (MRT) in relation to the Hong Kong market and analyses the effect of surrounding land values. Outlines the unique features of Hong Kong which make an urban railway system ideal and discusses the changes brought about by MRT. Summarizes the growth of commercial development on Hong Kong island and gives case studies on the Admiralty, Sheung Wan and Taikooshing/Kornhill areas in respect of their development with the advent of MRT. Notes that the shortening of travelling time for workers has increased demand for, and hence the price of, sites immediately adjacent to MRT stations.

Propelling passengers fester than a speeding Bullet: As maglev urban railways get tracking, lines in West Germany, Japan, and Canada are expected to follow England's commercial lead

Discusses the advantages of magnetic levitation urban railway systems and their method of operation. The first systems are briefly described and recent advances covered. Research currently under way in Japan, Canada and Romania is also examined.

Available and Projected Trends in Urban Rail Vehicles

The paper examines the rapid growth in urban railway development throughout the world and notes that the systems involved almost exclusively rely on electric traction. The basic characteristics of various types of urban railway and their operation are explained and a comparison is drawn between selected vehicles on overseas systems. The UK scene is then examined together with the salient features of British vehicles used on urban railway systems. Conclusions are drawn as to the requirements of a future urban railway vehicle.

A New Approach For Planning And Optimisation Of Urban Railway Systems

Because of worldwide urbanization and concentration the passenger and freight traffic is increasing rapidly in many large cities of the world. Because of ecological and comercial reasons much more passenger traffic than today has to be handled by public urban railway systems. And although many new lines have been build in the last years, the capacity of the existing lines has to be increased. On the other hand the government must save money and reduce the costs. This makes new methods indispensable in optimization, planning and operations control tasks. For this purpose the simulation model SIMU VII has been developed at the Institute for Transport, Railway Construction and Operation (IVE) at Hannover University.

Paper 1: Rail Vehicles for Urban and Underground Service

The paper commences with a brief description of the commuter situation in most great cities of the world today, and gives a little background as to why the situation has arisen. The basic elements of train movement are briefly considered with special reference to urban and suburban traffic, and the salient requirements from this are combined with other electrical, mechanical, and passenger amenity features to form a picture of the general requirements for this type of stock. Next, examples are given of modern stock designed to meet the requirements. The new high-density stock of British Railways is described and reference is made to the London Transport Victoria line stock with particular reference to automatic train operation. Short descriptions are then given of North American practices, followed by a brief review of European developments. From these examples a general similarity in design emerges which very adequately meets the requirements of the commuter problem, and it is suggested by the author that an urban railway system in conjunction with other forms of street transport can provide a suitable overall solution to this modern and increasing problem.