Features & Analysis – Page 19
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In depthElectrification: Saving energy on DC networks
Despite being an early pioneer of regenerative braking with AC electrification, much of the Spanish main line network uses 3 kV DC. Building on earlier developments in the metro sector, ADIF Alta Velocidad is now making progress in recovering braking energy on DC routes, explains Mike Bent.
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In depthTraction: India to trial fuel cell trainset
Indian Railways expects to roll-out a four-car hydrogen fuel cell multiple-unit by the end of 2021, as the country looks to alternative fuels as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.
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In depthRussia: Distributed traction moves the crowds
RZD rolling stock strategy is being driven by the need to provide better connectivity within its constituent regions and faster links between them, reports Vladimir Waldin.
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In depthTraction: In search of the zero-emission train
Low or zero-emission trains will play an essential role in decarbonising the rail mode, but the choice of technologies involves a complex trade-off between rolling stock, infrastructure and operational constraints.
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In depthPassenger rolling stock: Rail can rise to clean air challenge
Policymakers need to support investment in this field to reap wider social, economic and public health benefits even after the Covid-19 crisis subsides, argues Dr Peter Radina of Knorr-Bremse.
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In depthPassenger rolling stock: Adapting to falling numbers
Due to enter service on three routes north of Tokyo next year, JR East’s Series E131 EMUs are intended to be more economical to operate in semi-rural areas with a declining population. Mike Bent investigates.
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In depthEuropean policy: Fostering a positive safety culture
Learning from the experience of other high-risk industries, the EU Agency for Railways has developed a Safety Culture Model to support the embedding of safe practices within the European rail sector, as Programme Manager Grégory Rolina explains to Nick Kingsley.
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In depthInterview: ‘Freight has had a good crisis’
Post-coronavirus financial pressure on governments and mounting public concern about climate change may finally prove the catalysts to unlock substantial private investment in European rail freight. Stephen Layburn and Tim Jackson of transport finance house Centrus describe the outlook to Nick Kingsley.
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In depthEuropean policy: A responsive approach to timetable planning
Revised handbooks developed by RailNetEurope will shape the planning of Europe’s 2022-23 timetable, marking an important step towards the harmonisation of fragmented national processes
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In depthRolling stock: Olympic deadline governs TGV M rollout
The first of 100 next-generation TGV sets is due to enter service with French national operator SNCF in time to carry passengers during the 2024 Olympic Games. Murray Hughes investigates.
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In depthEuropean policy: Getting ready for the Year of Rail
By designating 2021 as the European Year of Rail, the European Commission is seeking to focus attention on the environmental, economic, commercial and cultural benefits of rail, and highlight its role in supporting sustainable mobility.
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In depthNorth America: Pandemic undermines Amtrak revival
Service reductions and staff layoffs are in prospect as Amtrak seeks to cut costs in the face of a coronavirus-led collapse in ridership, reports Joseph M Calisi.
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In depthData & Analytics: Assessing investment choices in an uncertain future
Transport for London and Jacobs have developed a novel transport demand modelling tool to provide a more sophisticated response to the challenge of planning rail investment as the mobility sector enters an era of profound short- and long-term change.
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In depthNorth America: Rethinking rail in uncertain times
With the Covid-19 pandemic and economic downturn hitting traffic volumes, North America’s railroads are looking to the future and how to achieve profitable growth following the Precision Scheduled Railroading reforms. Dave Lustig investigates.
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In depthComment: Realism amid the romance
While the recent resurgence in sleeping car services in Europe has been rightly lauded, Managing Editor Nick Kingsley argues that policymakers must be realistic in accepting that overnight trains alone cannot deliver the modal shift to rail which will be necessary to meet climate goals.
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In depthFreight: 5L wagons lead the way to digital rail freight
Having run a demonstrator train using innovative 5L wagons for the past two years, SBB Cargo is now pushing on with a programme of ‘5L Next’ initiatives to optimise wagon design and wrap its freight activity into a wider digital railway agenda. Reinhard Christeller reports.
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In depthConnecting up China’s Southern Powerhouse
The construction of more inter-city railways and the development of regional interchange hubs is expected to boost connectivity in the Greater Bay Area of southern China. Andrew Benton investigates.
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In depthNGOs propose five policies for climate-friendly European rail renaissance
A group of European climate NGOs has proposed five policies to encourage modal shift to rail in support of EU greenhouse gas reduction targets. Lena Donat, Policy Advisor Low-Carbon Mobility at development and environment organisation Germanwatch, explains what is needed
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In depthFreight: Unlocking access to Australia’s largest port
Despite surging growth in in recent years, the port of Melbourne remains heavily reliant on road haulage, causing major impacts in the nearby city centre. So the state government and port operator are redoubling efforts to shift more freight to rail after a number of false starts. John Kirk reports.
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In depthGermany: Relaying DB’s oldest high speed lines
After nearly 30 years of use, Germany’s first two high speed lines are being given a complete makeover with new track and replacement components for other hardware. Murray Hughes reports on a programme valued at €825m.