Demand Responsive Transport im Schienenverkehr - Eine Analyse des Systemdesigns

DE: Demand Responsive Transport im Schienenverkehr ist geeignet, auch nachfrageschwache Strecken mit Direktverbindungen zu bedienen. Kurzen Reisezeiten stehen jedoch mitunter lange Vorlaufzeiten zur Buchung gegenüber. Anhand eines Anwendungsbeispiels im Großraum Braunschweig wird untersucht, wie grundlegende Systemparameter wie Infrastruktur, Fahrzeuganzahl und Planungsalgorithmen die Qualität des Angebots beeinflussen. Eine Untersuchung unterschiedlicher Systemdesigns zeigt, dass die Vorlaufzeiten durch gezielten Ausbau der Infrastruktur und einer erhöhten Anzahl an Fahrzeugen gesenkt werden können, die jedoch intelligent im Netz verteilt werden müssen. EN: Demand Responsive Transport in rail transport - an analysis of the system design. Demand Responsive Transport in rail transport is suitable to also serve low-demanded routes with direct connections. Short travel times are sometimes facing long preparation times for the booking. Using an application example in the Braunschweig metropolitan area, it is examined how basic system parameters such as infrastructure, number of vehicles, and planning algorithms influence the quality of the service. An examination of different system designs shows, that the preparation times can be lowered by systemized expansion of the infrastructure and an increased number of vehicles which, however, have to be distributed intelligently in the network

Demand Responsive Rail Transport auf Regionalstrecken - Konzept, Machbarkeit und Wirtschaftlichkeit

DE: Mittels Automatisierung und Digitalisierung könnten erstmals flexible Bedienformen ähnlich eines straßengebundenen Demand Responsive Transport (DRT)-Systems auch auf der Schiene zum Einsatz kommen. Im Rahmen einer Machbarkeitsanalyse, Betriebssimulation sowie Wirtschaftlichkeitsberechnung wird geprüft, ob eine Attraktivitätssteigerung und Angebotsverbesserung für regionale Strecken erreicht werden kann. Die Simulation des DRRT-Betriebs wird dabei mit einem konventionellen Linienbetrieb (Halbstundentakt) verglichen. Erste Ergebnisse zeigen vergleichbare Kosten im automatisierten Betrieb während sich bezüglich der Angebotsqualität Vor- und Nachteile für die Reisenden ergeben. EN: Demand Responsive Rail Transport on regional lines - concept, feasibility and profitability. The increasing digitization and automatization process allow new concepts such as Demand Responsive Rail Transport (DRRT). In this article, such a concept is designed as well as feasibility and profitability are evaluated. The simulation of the DRRT operation is compared to a conventional line operation (half-hourly cycle). First results show comparable costs in automated operation while there are advantages and disadvantages for the travelers referring to service quality

Traffic impact on last mile parcel delivery with cargo bikes

In the course of global warming, low-emission last mile delivery concepts are being discussed as alternatives to conventional concepts. Complementing the logistical perspective, this study evaluates the impact of surrounding traffic on parcel delivery with cargo bikes. We propose a scenario-based methodological approach including an agentbased, multimodal simulation analysis. The approach includes the identification of infrastructural potential for cargo bike route shortcuts as well as effects of provider-joint collaboration. Key findings from a use case in the city of Hamburg, Germany, show similar traffic impact on delivery with cargo bikes and vans according to simulation KPIs such as time loss and mean speed. However, significantly lower CO2 emissions for cargo bike scenarios are observed as well as considerable synergy effects in collaboration scenarios

FASaN - Fahrerassistenzsysteme adaptive Nachhaltigkeit im Bahnbetrieb

Die Verbesserung und Vernetzung von Fahrerassistenzsystemen hat das Potential, den Bahnverkehr auch langfristig attraktiv und umwelteffizient zu gestalten. Neben der Optimierung einer einzelnen Zugfahrt können zukünftig auch betriebliche Randbedingungen wie Interaktionen mit anderen Zügen, Verspätungen, Vermeidung von Lastspitzen oder hohes Fahrgastaufkommen stärker berücksichtigt werden

Potenziale einer Multikuppelbarkeit im Schienenpersonennahverkehr

DE: Ein Großteil der Triebzüge im deutschen Schienenpersonennahverkehr besitzt die Scharfenbergkupplung Typ 10, die meist mechanisches und pneumatisches Kuppeln ermöglicht. Elektro-Kupplungen und Leittechnik sind aufgrund fehlender Normung größtenteils inkompatibel, sodass ein gekuppelter Betrieb unterschiedlicher Fahrzeugbaureihen nicht oder nur eingeschränkt möglich ist. Eine uneingeschränkte Kuppelbarkeit der Triebzüge könnte große Potenziale im täglichen Betrieb erschließen. Für diese Analyse wurde untersucht, welche technischen Maßnahmen eine Multikuppelbarkeit erfordert, wie regulatorische Anpassungen gestaltet werden könnten und welche betrieblichen Auswirkungen hierdurch zu erwarten sind. Erste Ergebnisse zeigen, dass durch eine Multikuppelbarkeit die Zahl an Direktverbindungen erhöht werden kann. Darüber hinaus kann die betriebliche Flexibilität durch den wechselseitigen Einsatz von Fahrzeugen gesteigert werden. Eine große Herausforderung stellt jedoch die Kuppelzeit innerhalb der Bahnhöfe und die damit verbundene Gleisbelegungszeit des Zuges dar. EN: The majority of multiple units in the German local rail passenger transport system have the Scharfenberg coupler type 10, which mostly allows mechanical and pneumatic coupling. Due to a lack of standardization, electric couplers and control technology are largely incompatible, so that coupled operation of different vehicle series is not possible or only possible to a limited extent. Unrestricted couplability of multiple units could open up great potential in daily operation. For this analysis, the technical measures required for multi-couplability were investigated, as well as how regulatory adjustments could be designed and what operational effects can be expected as a result. Initial results show that multicouplability can increase the number of direct connections. In addition, operational flexibility can be increased through the alternating use of vehicles. However, the coupling time within the stations and the associated track occupation time of the train pose a major challenge

Comparing nuclear power trajectories in Germany and the UK: from ‘regimes' to ‘democracies’ in sociotechnical transitions and Discontinuities

This paper focuses on arguably the single most striking contrast in contemporary major energy politics in Europe (and even the developed world as a whole): the starkly differing civil nuclear policies of Germany and the UK. Germany is seeking entirely to phase out nuclear power by 2022. Yet the UK advocates a ‘nuclear renaissance’, promoting the most ambitious new nuclear construction programme in Western Europe.Here,this paper poses a simple yet quite fundamental question: what are the particular divergent conditions most strongly implicated in the contrasting developments in these two countries. With nuclear playing such an iconic role in historical discussions over technological continuity and transformation, answering this may assist in wider understandings of sociotechnical incumbency and discontinuity in the burgeoning field of‘sustainability transitions’. To this end, an ‘abductive’ approach is taken: deploying nine potentially relevant criteria for understanding the different directions pursued in Germany and the UK. Together constituted by 30 parameters spanning literatures related to socio-technical regimes in general as well as nuclear technology in particular, the criteria are divided into those that are ‘internal’ and ‘external’ to the ‘focal regime configuration’ of nuclear power and associated ‘challenger technologies’ like renewables. It is ‘internal’ criteria that are emphasised in conventional sociotechnical regime theory, with ‘external’ criteria relatively less well explored. Asking under each criterion whether attempted discontinuation of nuclear power would be more likely in Germany or the UK, a clear picture emerges. ‘Internal’ criteria suggest attempted nuclear discontinuation should be more likely in the UK than in Germany– the reverse of what is occurring. ‘External’ criteria are more aligned with observed dynamics –especially those relating to military nuclear commitments and broader ‘qualities of democracy’. Despite many differences of framing concerning exactly what constitutes ‘democracy’, a rich political science literature on this point is unanimous in characterising Germany more positively than the UK. Although based only on a single case,a potentially important question is nonetheless raised as to whether sociotechnical regime theory might usefully give greater attention to the general importance of various aspects of democracy in constituting conditions for significant technological discontinuities and transformations. If so, the policy implications are significant. A number of important areas are identified for future research, including the roles of diverse understandings and specific aspects of democracy and the particular relevance of military nuclear commitments– whose under-discussion in civil nuclear policy literatures raises its own questions of democratic accountability

The enchanted snake and the forbidden fruit: the ayahuasca ‘fairy tale’ tourist

This ethnographic study increases our understanding of Westerners seeking genuine fairy tale experiences of magic, transformation and enchantment within South American psychedelic ayahuasca tourism. Examining 63 tourists, this study shows how vision-based spirit sensegivers facilitate individuals in exorcising demons, to make sense of themselves as spiritual beings within an enchanted universe. However, and with this potion quickly wearing off upon returning to the West, tourists feel abandoned by their spirits, and disconnected from the fairy lands. Coupled with not wanting to re-experience intense inner tensions from stepping in and out of a fairy tale, further tourism is rejected. As such, ayahuasca tourism becomes a ‘forgotten’ fairy tale, rarely told