All Analysis articles
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In depthIreland: Next steps emerge in all-island rail vision
A strategy document has been issued setting out the next steps in delivering the recommendations of Ireland’s All-Island Rail Review.
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In depthMetro Maintenance: Investigating degradation in tight curves
Urban rail systems frequently have tight curvature, leading to accelerated wear of the rail head and long-term challenges in maintaining the track gauge. An investigation of wear on Monterrey Metro Line 1 emphasised the importance of considering asset life cycle in rail profile design and maintenance strategies.
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NewsRail defects come under scrutiny as Spanish high speed crash investigations continue
SPAIN: Ongoing investigations into the high speed derailment and crash at Adamuz on January 18 have found further evidence pointing towards a rail break as being the primary cause of the tragedy. Chris Jackson reports.
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In depthAsset Maintenance: Cracking the nut of rising costs
An international benchmarking exercise by management consultancy Arthur D Little has found that railways across Europe are facing a maintenance cost crunch, with strong leadership needed to address the problem.
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Rail Business UKInvestment: Belfast summit reflects all-island rail momentum
The Railway Industry Association’s inaugural All Island Rail Summit in Belfast on February 18 is focusing on opportunities for the rail supply chain across the island of Ireland, says Neil Walker, Director for Northern Ireland & Exports at the trade organisation.
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In depthUSA: Learning lessons from the California high speed rail programme
Having served as Northern California Regional Director for the California High Speed Rail Authority, Boris Lipkin offers a personal reflection on the lessons that planners of future rail megaprojects could learn from the scheme.
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In depthGermany: Deutschlandtakt vision shapes capacity planning
Development of a medium-term capacity utilisation strategy is a key building block that meets European requirements whilst supporting the roll-out of Germany’s planned national regular-interval timetable over the coming decades.
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In depthComment: A shot across the bows
The controversy over Austrian open access operator Westbahn’s deployment of Chinese-built EMUs should give the European rail supply industry reason to reflect on its own competitiveness, argues our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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In depthJapan: Shinkansen extensions under scrutiny amid cost and population pressures
Given its declining and less economically active population and the escalating costs of construction, Japan is investigating alternatives to continued expansion of its high speed network. Mike Bent considers the challenges and options.
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In depthJapan: Shinkansen alternatives sought to enhance connectivity along the Honshu coast
Analysis carried out by the Niigata Prefecture for the connection of the Joetsu district into the Shinkansen network found mini-Shinkansen proposals as a favourable option, with either dual-gauging or regauging part of the existing network. Mike Bent investigates.
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In depthJapan: Hokuriku Shinkansen extension to Osaka comes at a cost
The Japanese government has published details of three route options for extending the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tsuruga to Osaka through Kyoto, but questions endure over whether upgrading existing routes would offer better value. Mike Bent reports.
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In depthComment: Demography is destiny
The demographic challenges facing many countries around the world mean that rail’s ability to cost-effectively deliver benefits in low-density regions such as rural Japan or much of France is in the spotlight, our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley warns.
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In depthComment: Tensions around Swiss tunnel regulation reflect SERA challenge
Switzerland’s recent changes to its national wagon safety regulations following the 2023 Gotthard Base Tunnel derailment have sparked a debate over how far national interests should override pan-European interoperability ambitions, says our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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In depthInfrastructure: Scour monitoring helps to bridge the gap
Field trials are currently under way with an AI-assisted real-time monitoring system able to detect the emergence of scour that could undermine the safety of railway bridges over flowing water.
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In depthInfrastructure: Embracing nature can enhance rail’s soft resilience
The International Union of Railways is urging more railways to adopt Nature-based Solutions as a means to enhance the resilience of infrastructure in an era when both the natural world and man-made assets are under severe pressure from climate change.
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In depthComment: To merge or not to merge
Union Pacific’s $85bn proposal to acquire Norfolk Southern has reignited merger speculation across the US rail industry, with activist investors urging rival operators to explore consolidation options amid changing market dynamics. However, this M&A frenzy could yet prove a risky distraction for the sector, warns Senior Editor Chris Jackson.
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In depthMarket Analysis: Driverless metro market set to surge
A projected boom in fully automated metro projects over the next decade offers valuable business opportunities, believes management consultancy Roland Berger.
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NewsConcerns over PSO contracts directly awarded before tendering rule change
EUROPE: Concerns have been raised over the signing of directly awarded train operating contracts in several countries, shortly before the expiry of a provision in the Fourth Railway Package regulation on competitive tendering.
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In depthChina: High speed fleet production peaks
In an analysis of the world market for high speed rail, SCI Verkehr finds that construction of high speed trains for China’s huge network has now peaked but after-sales activity is growing in importance as the fleet starts to age.
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In depthPassenger trains: OECD study highlights distortion in the world rolling stock market
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development has found that governments across the globe intervene in the rolling stock market in numerous ways to support their own industries.