Track Gauge Degradation Modelling on Small Urban Rail Networks: Zagreb Tram System Case Study

Track gauge is the most significant tram track geometry parameter. Its degradation, which manifests as gradual increase of gauge deviation from prescribed values during track exploitation, causes poor ride quality, reduces safety and triggers most of the maintenance activities. To optimize tram track maintenance procedures, it is necessary to increase the proportion of preventive maintenance at the expense of corrective maintenance. This requires creation of physical model of track degradation. Conducted survey of conventional track degradation models showed that, in order to quantify the influence of track design, construction and exploitation characteristics on gauge degradation, it is most favourable to adopt the mechanistic‐empirical modelling approach. Zagreb high‐capacity tram network presents an optimal testing ground for exploration of the possibilities for tram track gauge degradation model development. Analysis of modelling results gave new, practical insights about the effects of tram track design and construction elements and exploitation characteristics on gauge degradation. These models represent the first step towards predictive maintenance system establishment on Zagreb tram tracks

A tram-train system to connect the urban area of Cosenza to its province: A simulation model of transport demand modal split and a territorial analysis to identify adapted transit oriented development prospects

International audienceThe purpose of this paper is to study possible prospects of regional development and of public transport demand evolution, resulting in the implementation of a new tramtrain service to suburban and a tramway for urban area of Cosenza and Rende and for municipalities of Savuto valley, in the southern Italian region of Calabria. This is an area that in recent decades has seen significant phenomena of urban de‐population, with consequent problems of urban sprawl into neighbouring small cities and land consumption. The mobility system is heavily focused on the use of private cars as the main and often the only way to travel; causing obvious problems of traffic congestionand poor urban quality of life for citizens. The modern tramway system project, next to be realized, will connect the urban area of Cosenza and Rende with the University of Calabria. It is a first important structural intervention that will hopefully help to significantly increase public transport modal share and to promote implementation of Transit Oriented Development policies, properly adapted to that specific territory. The decision to adopt such a narrow gauge tramway line, allows to consider the prospect of actually integrating this service with a tramtrain system linking Rogliano and municipalities of Savuto valley, with the urban area, using existing narrow gauge railways of Ferrovie della Calabria (main regional train operators). With this purpose was developed a transport demand simulation model, using the Tranus system, to estimate the evolution of the transport demand modal split in that area, caused by such changes in the mobility system. Through a spatial analysis were showed bsome areas that might be interested by interventions of urban renewal and regeneration, with greater access to public transport services and Transit Oriented Development policies. Results of this analysis and the simulation model will be presented and discussed in detail in this paper

A methodology for private transportation planning assessment: GETRAM environment, an application to Barcelona's metropolitan area

Traffic assignment models based on the user equilibrium approach are one of the most widely used tools in transportation planning analysis. Based on Wardrop’s, principle as a behavioral principle modeling the route choice process, they lead to a nice mathematical model for which there are efficient algorithms that provide solutions in terms of the expected flows on network links. Resulting flows offer a static average view of the expected use of the road infrastructure under the modeling hypothesis. This information has usually been enough for the planning decisions. However, the evolution of advanced technologies and their application to modern traffic management systems require in most cases a dynamic view complementing the static estimates provided by the assignment tools. The planned infrastructure is probably sufficient for average demand, but time-varying traffic flows, i.e. at peak periods, combined with the influence of road geometry, can produce undesired congestion that can not be forecasted or analysed with the static tools. There is a clear case for a change in the analysis methodology such as combination of a well known traffic assignment tool, the EMME/2 model, with a microscopic traffic simulator, the AIMSUN2 (Advanced Interactive Microscopic Simulator for Urban and Non-urban Networks) which this paper proposes.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Modeling of Passenger Flows in Agglomerations of Large Developing Cities (on the Example of Kyiv)

Based on the analysis of the fundamental impact of transport infrastructure, the city and the agglomeration are increasingly interpreted as a set of historically composed residential and industrial districts formed in the areas of interchanges of different modes of transport. On the example of the City of Kyiv, the modeling of passenger flows in agglomerations of large developing cities is considered, in order to implement the provisions of a modern urban environment, based on transport analysis of the urban area, with further forecasting of passenger flows on the street-road network and choice of main types of citywide passenger transport in the city. Based on the calculation of the population and passenger formation of transport areas, a model of the city's transport infrastructure is represented, the distribution of passenger traffic by modes of transport is estimated. The results of experimental studies of the intensity of existing passenger flows and models of their definition in the agglomeration of the most valuable city are determined. And the ways to solve the problems of conflict between the city and transport are proposed

Intelligent Mobility in Smart Cities

Smart Cities seek to optimize their systems by increasing integration through approaches such as increased interoperability, seamless system integration, and automation. Thus, they have the potential to deliver substantial efficiency gains and eliminate redundancy. To add to the complexity of the problem, the integration of systems for efficiency gains may compromise the resilience of an urban system. This all needs to be taken into consideration when thinking about Smart Cities. The transportation field must also apply the principles and concepts mentioned above. This cannot be understood without considering its links and effects on the other components of an urban system. New technologies allow for new means of travel to be built, and new business models allow for existing ones to be utilized. This Special Issue puts together papers with different focuses, but all of them tackle the topic of smart mobility

Promoting Intermodal Connectivity at California’s High Speed Rail Stations

High-speed rail (HSR) has emerged as one of the most revolutionary and transformative transportation technologies, having a profound impact on urban-regional accessibility and inter-city travel across Europe, Japan, and more recently China and other Asian countries. One of HSR’s biggest advantages over air travel is that it offers passengers a one-seat ride into the center of major cities, eliminating time-consuming airport transfers and wait times, and providing ample opportunities for intermodal transfers at these locales. Thus, HSR passengers are typically able to arrive at stations that are only a short walk away from central business districts and major tourist attractions, without experiencing any of the stress that car drivers often experience in negotiating such highly congested environments. Such an approach requires a high level of coordination and planning of the infrastructural and spatial aspects of the HSR service, and a high degree of intermodal connectivity. But what key elements can help the US high-speed rail system blend successfully with other existing rail and transit services? That question is critically important now that high-speed rail is under construction in California. The study seeks to understand the requirements for high levels of connectivity and spatial and operational integration of HSR stations and offer recommendations for seamless, and convenient integrated service in California intercity rail/HSR stations. The study draws data from a review of the literature on the connectivity, intermodality, and spatial and operational integration of transit systems; a survey of 26 high-speed rail experts from six different European countries; and an in-depth look of the German and Spanish HSR systems and some of their stations, which are deemed as exemplary models of station connectivity. The study offers recommendations on how to enhance both the spatial and the operational connectivity of high-speed rail systems giving emphasis on four spatial zones: the station, the station neighborhood, the municipality at large, and the region