Showing papers on "Rail freight transport published in 2002"

Estimation of interregional empty rail freight car flows

Abstract: An important and to often neglected aspect in every freight transportation system is the presence of empty car flows. Empty car flows arise due to variations in the transportation demand, in the se ...

Perspectives on freight movement by road and rail in South Africa

Abstract: For a developing country, South Africa has a relatively extensive road and rail network. The approximately 264 000 km of roads and 20 000 km of rail network (30 600 km of tracks) have largely been built and paid for by previous generations and represent assets of enormous value for Southern Africa. The optimum use, management, maintenance and expansion of these networks are crucial for economic growth and the well-being of the total SADC region.

Transport in Britain: From Canal Lock To Gridlock

Abstract: This textbook provides a history of transport in the United Kingdom mainly from the late 1700s onwards, covering the development of the canal system for freight, coastal shipping (freight and passenger ferries), road transport before the car (wagons for freight and passengers, stage coach services, Royal Mail coaches, the introduction of turnpike (toll) roads, and the introduction of the bicycle), the development of the railways, British Railways 1914-45, motor transport (steam vehicles, motorcycles, early motor cars, road transport law / taxation, lorries and bus services), urban transport (bus and tram services, Hansom cabs, taxis, services in London, passenger steam ferries, underground railways, trams, cars, congestion, policy and the decline in walking), nationalisation (railways and the Beeching cuts, freight transport, canals and docks), technology (steam engines, electric traction, high speed tilting trains, the Channel Tunnel, petrol, diesel and jet engines, guidance and control systems), air transport (Government subsidies, the development of services, short range services, competition), privatisation in the 1970s (reduction in Government funding, increasing competition, declining patronage, deteriorating rail services and high profile rail accidents), the decline of public transport (lack of coherence in Government transport policy, the switch of freight from rail to road, and inadequate investment), and problems and possibilities (an integrated transport plan, long-term public transport planning, road pricing, and a revival of trams and trains).

Network Model and Algorithm for Freight Train Marshalling Plan

Abstract: This paper begins with a description of the complexity of making up freight train marshalling plans. It is pointed out that an exact and rational result can be obtained by joint optimization of car flow routing and marshalling plan. Then, a mathematical model is built by transforming the problem of freight train marshalling plan into a calculation problem about marshalling network graph, to minimize the total cost of car flows within the railway network. Finally, the algorithm of this model is approached.

Providing a sustainable rail freight service on the Port Elizabeth-Avontuur narrow gauge railway

Abstract: South Africa’s extensive rail network, which in the past provided an effective transportation link between most of its towns and cities, has contributed significantly towards the economic development of more remote regions in the country. Unfortunately during the past three decades, mainly due to competition from road transport, the majority of branchand narrow gauge lines serving rural communities have been abandoned.

Transaero Work Package 3: Trains Passing Effects — Summary and Conclusions

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the aerodynamics studies which have been carried out through the Work Package 3 of the European research project TRANSAERO (Transient Aerodynamics for Railway system Optimisation). This work package was dedicated to the investigation of the trains passing situations, both in open air and tunnel conditions. The trains passing issues are presented as well as the organisation which was designed to answer them.

Model train cars

Abstract: A model train freight car and a method of manufacturing the same. An aluminum model freight train car body is extruded through a die. At least one accessory is attached to the freight car body. The model train freight car weight ranges from about 1.0 lbs. to about 1.75 lbs., and is free from flow lines and seams

Computation of Capacity at Marshalling Yard under Imbalanced Transportation Circumstance

Abstract: This article examines factors that affect the capacity of marshalling yards after train speed increase in China, and finds out that the major factor is the imbalanced characteristic of freight train flows. According to the arrival and departure regularities of the freight train flows, a method of breaking a day into the busy, the free and the ordinary parts is presented. In addition, by using other research results for reference, a new system based on the changed operations and the devices factor is proposed to describe the capacity of marshalling yard. The computation result of Jinanxi marshalling yard shows that this method provides a more accurate and feasible way to analyze the capacity of marshalling yard.

Driving describing parameters, energy consumption and running time: results and conclusions from measurements and simulations

Abstract: When utilizing simulation to determine the energy consumption of a freight train manually driven, it is important to take the driver behavior into consideration. In this research, driver behavior was studied for various freight trains in Sweden, and some driving description parameters are proposed. An empirical model of driver behavior is developed from full scale testing and observations. Simulations are compared with measurements, and the impact of driver behavior on energy consumption and running time is studied.

Influence of wagon structure on the vertical response of freight.

Abstract: Historically, wagons have been designed according to the American Association of Railroads specifications. These require that wagons be designed to withstand a static load between the couplers of 350 tons. This implies that the structure has a certain stiffness. In order to improve load to tare ratio, there has been talk of reducing the end load specifications. This implies that the stiffness of the wagon will reduce. Using more flexible wagons implies that the freight will probably be exposed to a harsher dynamic environment. There is a trade off between the cost of packaging and the cost of protection devices installed in the vehicle. If handling damage can be prevented then an understanding of the dynamic environment will assist in reducing the packaging requirement. This research looked at the dynamic characteristics of an existing design of wagon using modal analysis. The results from the modal analysis were extended to be inputs to the time domain freight model. Various analytical models of the freight were developed depending on the configuration and dynamic properties. Special consideration was given to a cylinder with its axis transverse to the wagon. The modal model was modified to accommodate the change in mass imposed by the freight. The various sources of dynamic excitation were explored, namely inputs from the coupler and from the bogie. Data from shunting yard simulations were used to generate spectra as input to the wagon model. The objective was to use modal techniques to be able to take individual components, form them into a complete model and make informed decisions about the suitability of a certain configuration for traffic.

Sydney-canberra-melbourne high speed train options

Abstract: The paper reviews upgrading proposals to reduce Melbourne-Sydney freight train transit times. This project included computer simulation by Samrom of trains moving over the existing 940 km Dynon-Chullora track. These results show that the running time for a standard superfreighter with 2600 tonnes trailing load hauled by two 4000 HP locomotives moving over the existing track will nearly 12 hours but the same train moving over an upgraded route with three major deviations would take about 10 hours, with a fuel saving of about 10 percent. Coupled with a spur to North Canberra, the upgraded track could allow, with modest powered tilt trains, 2.5 hour Sydney-Canberra, 6.5 hour Sydney-Melbourne and 4.5 hour Canberra-Melbourne train services. This paper has drawn attention to the capacity of well designed re-alignments to reduce times and has identified some the aspects operating cost reductions. The Network Audit Report has shown that faster and more reliable freight transit times can result in significant reversal of market share loss, further enhancing the benefits of improving the main line alignments. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E209537.

Equipment for distinguishing passenger train from goods train by betwene-carriage gap counting method

Abstract: A system for distinguishing passenger train from goods train by counting the gaps between two wagons is composed of photoelectric sensor, two magentic sensors, signal processing circuit, programmablecontroller, LED display screen and power supply Two magnetic sensors are used to determine the total length A photoelectric sensor between two magnetic sensors is used to count the gaps between wagons As there is no gap between carriages of passenger train but there is gap between wagons for goods train, they can be easily distinguished from each other

Hook tongue shot blasting rust removing machine for examining and repairing railroad freight train

Abstract: The utility model belongs to the field of accessory equipment for examining and repairing railroad freight trains, particularly relating to a hook tongue shot blasting rust removing machine for examining and repairing railroad freight trains. The utility model adopts mechanical mechanisms, such as a door opener, a switching sealing device, a hanger rotary assembly, a straight-line walking device, etc. The purpose that a plurality of hook tongues can be once cleaned is realized. The utility model overcomes the disadvantages of time and labor waste, huge structure, large labor intensity, etc., in the existing traditional equipment. The utility model has simple structure and light weight, is an ideal hook tongue shot blasting rust removing machine which can be selected when in the examination and repair of the railroad freight trains, and can be widely popular with users.

Rail service on the right track -- finally

Abstract: SUBTITLE: IMPROVED NETWORKS AND SERVICE ALLOW RAIL AND INTERMODAL TO CAPTURE FREIGHT FROM THE HIGHWAY.