Development of a new running gear for the Spectrum intermodal vehicle

The European Union (EU) Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) project Spectrum [12] set out to develop a freight vehicle which would facilitate the exploitation of the low density, high value (LDHV) goods market. Key to the performance criteria for the vehicle were: increased speed to enable mixed running with passenger services; improved ride quality to avoid damage to the LDHV goods; and reduced track damage for longevity and sustainability on increasingly stressed infrastructure. This paper presents aspects of the development of a novel running gear arrangement for the Spectrum vehicle, focussing on the dynamic performance of a Vampire vehicle model and the steps to realising stable running. Finally, the estimated performance of the Spectrum vehicle concept is compared against calculations for a conventional freight wagon with respect to curving, vertical track forces and potential savings in track access charges through implementation of Network Rail’s Variable Track Access Charge Calculator. It was found that the novel Spectrum concept could offer savings in Variable Usage Charges of between 8% and 16% compared to the conventional equivalent

Geometrical and functional criteria as a methodological approach to implement a new cycle path in an existing Urban Road Network: A Case study in Rome

Most road accidents occur in urban areas and notably at urban intersections, where cyclists and motorcyclists are the most vulnerable. In the last few years, cycling mobility has been growing; therefore, bike infrastructures should be designed to encourage this type of mobility and reduce motorized and/or private transport. The paper presents a study to implement a new cycle path in the existing cycle and road network in Rome, Italy. The geometric design of the new path complies with Italian standards regarding the technical characteristics of bicycle paths, while the Highway Capacity Manual has been considered for the traffic analysis. In particular, a before-after approach has been adopted to examine and compare the traffic flow at more complex and congested intersections where the cycle path will pass. Trams, buses, cars, bikes and pedestrians were the traffic components considered in each analysis. The software package PTV VISSIM 8 allowed the simulations of traffic flows at traffic-light intersections; an original linear process has been proposed to model dynamic intelligent traffic controls, which are not admitted by the software used. The traffic analysis allowed the identification of the best option for each of the five examined intersections. Particularly, the maximum queue length value and the total number of passed vehicles have been considered in order to optimize the transport planning process. The results of this study highlight the importance of providing engineered solutions when a cycle path is implemented in a complex road network, in order to avoid negative impacts on the citizens and maximize the expected advantages

Industry 4.0 in the context of passenger railway companies

A Indústria 4.0 tem sido um tema de pesquisa crescente e tem chamado a atenção de países desenvolvidos e emergentes que buscam uma posição de destaque neste novo cenário industrial. O setor ferroviário é um segmento relevante para o transporte de pessoas e mercadorias. No entanto, a literatura que une o tema Indústria 4.0 e ferrovias ainda precisa ser explorada. Na prática, há mais estudos partindo de uma determinada tecnologia em evidência. Assim, este trabalho levanta uma questão importante: como os conceitos da Indústria 4.0 podem ser aplicados às empresas ferroviárias de passageiros holisticamente? Utilizamos uma abordagem exploratória e qualitativa para analisar este importante setor, considerando a escassez de estudos com a visão abrangente pretendida. Entrevistamos especialistas de oito operadoras de transporte e de quatro fornecedores de tecnologia do segmento ferroviário brasileiro. Os resultados foram agrupados em um modelo de oportunidades e indicam que as empresas estão se movendo em direção a um centro de inteligência operacional para implementar oferta de trens robusta e eficiente, manutenção prescritiva, gerenciamento robusto da cadeia de suprimentos, melhor experiência dos passageiros e desempenho dos trabalhadores. Desenvolvemos e testamos um modelo de maturidade da Indústria 4.0 para operadoras ferroviárias de passageiros com base em nossas descobertas empíricas e nos principais indicadores de desempenho das empresas brasileiras. Recebemos retorno positivo de que o modelo retrata as preocupações diárias dos profissionais que trabalham para rodar o negócio e que os estágios de maturidade propostos representam um caminho para alavancar as métricas associadas aos objetivos produtivos definidos com ajuda dos indicadores de desempenho do setor. A contribuição prática da pesquisa é auxiliar as empresas ferroviárias de passageiros a planejar a jornada da Indústria 4.0 em seu segmento, tanto na concepção de novas linhas de trens quanto na busca por sistemas em operação mais sustentáveis. O estudo traz uma contribuição acadêmica significativa, pois os modelos com essa visão holística da Quarta Revolução Industrial no transporte ferroviário de passageiros são inéditos.Industry 4.0 has been a growing research topic and has drawn the attention of developed and emerging countries that seek a prominent position in this new industrial scenario. The railway sector is a relevant segment for transporting people and goods. However, the literature joining the theme of Industry 4.0 and railways still needs to be explored. In practice, there are more studies from a determined technology in evidence. Thus, this dissertation raises an important question: How can the Industry 4.0 concepts be applied to passenger railway companies holistically? We used an exploratory and qualitative approach to analyze this important sector, considering the scarcity of studies with the intended embracing vision. We interviewed experts from eight transport operators and four technology providers in the Brazilian railway segment. The results were grouped into an opportunities model, indicating that companies are moving towards an operational intelligence center to implement robust and efficient train offers, prescriptive maintenance, strong supply chain management, and improved passenger experience and worker performance. We developed and tested an Industry 4.0 maturity model for passenger railway companies based on our empirical findings and the Brazilian companies' main Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). We received positive feedback that the model portrays the daily concerns of professionals who work to run the business and that the proposed maturity stages represent a way to leverage the metrics associated with the productive objectives defined with the help of the sector's KPIs. The practical contribution of the research is to help passenger railway companies plan the Industry 4.0 journey in their segment, both in designing new train lines and looking for more sustainable systems in operation. The study delivers a significant academic contribution as the frameworks with this holistic view of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the passenger railway are unprecedented

The Methodologies and Main Challenges of Assessment the Multi-Hazard Interaction and Risk Management Associated with Roads Infrastructures and Dam Safety: A Review

The idea of multi-hazard interactions and risk assessment, particularly in relation to both natural hazards and hazards triggered by anthropogenic processes, has been widely used, especially in recent decades. Numerous areas worldwide, as well as various sectors, face exposure to multiple hazards. These hazards encompass natural phenomena like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and more. In comparison, the human-induced or anthropogenic processes associated with infrastructure development, along with other potential human activities such as, land and cover use change, contribute to the overall hazard landscape. Both natural hazards and anthropogenic-induced directly led to infrastructure collapse and loss of functionality with other consequences for human lives, economy, beside the environment impacts. Limited studies have been conducted on the implementation of the comprehensive multi-hazard interaction approach, which is globally or regionally required, along with detailed studies on the interaction between different multi-hazard sources and their interrelationships in short-term or long-term scenarios. The current research aims to review previous literature and studies on the multi-hazard interaction approach, methodologies of visualization and classification, as well as explores the potential of multi-hazard associated with road networks, infrastructures, and dams. The research utilizes simulation various models and tools such as, Geographic Information System (GIS) beside Remote Sensing (Rs) techniques. The current study concludes that using multi-hazard maps, hazard matrix, and fragility curves represents highly valuable and very useful and flexible tools for implementing and visualization hot spot areas exposure by multi-hazard consequences and vulnerability analysis for short and long-term scenarios. In addition, the current review highlighted for development a holistic conceptual framework for multi-hazard and risk assessment associated with hydraulic structures such as dams, road networks and infrastructures with hazard exposure analysis to be used as tools for a decision support system (DSS) in order to develop urban resilience, risk management and hazard mitigations

Case Study: multi-billion pound infrastructure decision making; a regulatory infrastructure asset management assessment.

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of a hypothesised asset management decision framework implemented with a High-Speed Railway Infrastructure Asset in the U.K over a three-year period. The physical infrastructure asset(s) consists of a complex assemblage of components and classic engineering fraternities; such as Electrical Transmission and Distribution Systems, Civils Assets, Track Systems, Signalling and Communications, Software, SCADA etc, and Assets. In addition, the asset interacts with many U.K and International suppliers, contractors and service providers. Spanning over 218km with large linear assets the railway provides services for high speed trains connecting the U.K to wider European and domestic services, providing significant economic benefit to the U.K Economy, Social Mobility, Urban Development and National Skills development for many Transportation sectors

The Methodologies and Main Challenges of Assessment the Multi-Hazard Interaction and Risk Management Associated with Roads Infrastructures and Dam Safety: A Review

The idea of multi-hazard interactions and risk assessment, particularly in relation to both natural hazards and hazards triggered by anthropogenic processes, has been widely used, especially in recent decades. Numerous areas worldwide, as well as various sectors, face exposure to multiple hazards. These hazards encompass natural phenomena like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and more. In comparison, the human-induced or anthropogenic processes associated with infrastructure development, along with other potential human activities such as, land and cover use change, contribute to the overall hazard landscape. Both natural hazards and anthropogenic-induced directly led to infrastructure collapse and loss of functionality with other consequences for human lives, economy, beside the environment impacts. Limited studies have been conducted on the implementation of the comprehensive multi-hazard interaction approach, which is globally or regionally required, along with detailed studies on the interaction between different multi-hazard sources and their interrelationships in short-term or long-term scenarios. The current research aims to review previous literature and studies on the multi-hazard interaction approach, methodologies of visualization and classification, as well as explores the potential of multi-hazard associated with road networks, infrastructures, and dams. The research utilizes simulation various models and tools such as, Geographic Information System (GIS) beside Remote Sensing (Rs) techniques. The current study concludes that using multi-hazard maps, hazard matrix, and fragility curves represents highly valuable and very useful and flexible tools for implementing and visualization hot spot areas exposure by multi-hazard consequences and vulnerability analysis for short and long-term scenarios. In addition, the current review highlighted for development a holistic conceptual framework for multi-hazard and risk assessment associated with hydraulic structures such as dams, road networks and infrastructures with hazard exposure analysis to be used as tools for a decision support system (DSS) in order to develop urban resilience, risk management and hazard mitigations