Showing papers on "Rail freight transport published in 1989"

Road/rail power unit

Abstract: This invention relates to a convertible road/rail power vehicle including a tractor unit provided with retractable wheel sets and rail equipment that enable it to be operated on either highways or railway tracks and when on rail to pull a multiplicity of loaded or unloaded railway cars.

Overview of wheel/rail load environment caused by freight car suspension dynamics

Abstract: It has been a well-established fact that excessive wheel/rail loads cause accelerated wheel/rail wear, truck component deterioration, track damage, and increased potential for derailment The economic and safety impact of the increased wheel rail loads can only be ascertained by a total characterization of the wheel/rail loads In this paper, a comprehensive set of experimental results obtained from on-track testing of conventional North American freight cars using both wayside and on-board measurement systems are presented The particular emphasis is given to the wheel/rail loads resulting from suspension dynamics The dynamic wheel/rail environment addressed in this paper is limited to dynamic performance regimes such as rock-and-roll and pitch-and-bounce, hunting, and curving The strong dependence of the dynamic response of a railway vehicle on a truck suspension system has been illustrated by comparison of controlled test results for vehicles of different types

Methods of improving the voltage regulation on 25 kV electric railways

Abstract: In Australia, commercial and operating pressures are dictating the running of fewer but larger trains for a specified traffic task. The railway power supply design (and therefore the infrastructure costs) are however governed by the instantaneous power demands of the train and the spacing between trains. It is far easier to optimise infrastructure costs and achieve a high load factor on a railway power system which supplies, European style, many trains each of relatively small magnitude, than to supply a smaller number of large trains. The problems are further aggravated in Australia by the weak, radially-fed power systems and the random nature of freight train operations. The author documents a range of options which can be used, selectively, to optimise the power system design on a new electrification project, or to enhance an existing AC electrification at any voltage or frequency. On a new electrification project, these techniques have the potential to reduce the power supply infrastructure costs by about 10% compared with compared with conventional systems based on normal European practices. >

Operational enhancements: making the most of light rail

Abstract: The at-grade light rail system between Long Beach and Los Angeles, a 22-mi double-track line, crosses 85 streets at grade. The five local jurisdictions involved in the system were understandably concerned about the traffic impact of light rail vehicles (LRVs) arriving at a peak headway of 6 min. The problems facing the designers were compounded by the adjacent Southern Pacific at-grade freight train operation, and by the proximity of major signalized intersections. The solution involved an assortment of integrated light rail and street traffic operational enhancements. In the exclusive right-of-way segments LRVs were given full priority over street traffic at all times at most major crossings. In the median alignment segments, special traffic signal software was designed to provide integrated LRV priority without the disruption of full preemption. All stations were designed with high-level platforms to minimize passenger loading times and to make handicapped access easier. Automatic overrun protection implemented via cab signaling allowed at-grade crossing gates to remain in the up position while LRVs dwell at nearside station platforms. At several locations streets were closed, turn movements prohibited, or streets converted to or from one-way operation to allow more efficient operation of automobiles or LRVs. The result of these operational features is an economical at-grade light rail system that meets the objectives of a reasonable LRV travel time and an acceptable level of service and safety for automobile traffic.

Institutional reform in transport - case study : Uruguayan railways

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the Uruguayan railways. This report first looks at the transport sector as a whole, giving a history performance of the sector. It then describes the changes that have occurred in the railway sector and the actions taken to implement these changes. This includes reduction of passenger services and closure of lines, a medium and long term strategy, tariff freedom, freight priority, reduced passenger services, privatization, and organizational changes. The report also has a section on labor reassignment followed by a section giving the evaluation results of the changes and reform of the sector.

Formation-disassembly of car group for freight train

Abstract: The utility model relates to an organizing-disassembling train group for freight trains. As a new device for organizing and disassembling freight trains of railways, the organizing-disassembling train group is composed of a plate compartment, a plate compartment track, a plate compartment track pillow, a plate compartment supporting rack, a plate compartment supporting wheel, a traction locomotive, a locating key, etc. The organizing-disassembling train group is positioned on the lower bottom surface of an organizing-disassembling vehicle road bed, while the upper track of the organizing-disassembling train group is kept on the same flat surface with the track of the main and auxiliary lanes arranged on the upper bottom surface of the organizing-disassembling vehicle road bed. Thus, the utility model changes a traditional organizing-disassembling system of freight trains, shortens the organizing-disassembling time, reduces the track switching groups of freight train stations, reduces the number and length of the track of the freight train stations, decreases the area of freight train stations, and enhances the benefit of the freight train stations.

Railway freight train

Abstract: The utility model relates to a railway freight train. A bogie truck is fixed with a hydraulic fulcrum. The carriage adopts a concave structure, improving the loading amount of the freight train, increasing the safe coefficient, shortening the unloading time, improving the turnover rate of the freight train, and thus improving the ability of rail transport.

Light rail's niches and boundaries in Australian and Asian cities

Abstract: This article surveys conditions under which light rail conversions are likely to be a superior solution for large flows of people in cities in Pacific Rim countries. Having generally few urban form constraints and few climatic handicaps, developing cities' light rail technology might be expected to display differing characteristics from those evident in the classic European systems. Building particularly on the Melbourne experience, and the boundaries to light rail expansion, which seem evident in the Melbourne context, this study explores the demand and cost parameters that determine light rail's superiority over heavyweight rail systems or bus variants. Application of the technology in low- and medium-density Asian cities is assessed to show the limits and opportunities of light rail under unusual conditions.