Features & Analysis – Page 20
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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.
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In depthGermany: Growth ambitions undeterred despite Covid-19
With passenger traffic down by 44% and freight by 13% in the first half of the year, the coronavirus pandemic caused Deutsche Bahn’s profits to slump by almost €4bn, reports Timon Heinrici. Nevertheless, the government has committed huge sums to try and turn the state-owned railway group around.
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In depthGermany: Master Plan confirms state’s commitment to rail
The German government has assigned rail a fundamental role in its climate change strategy, promising unprecedented levels of financial support for expansion and modernisation of the national network. Murray Hughes investigates.
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In depthGreece: Infrastructure investment back on the agenda
After years of delays amid the country’s financial crisis, several major infrastructure projects are coming to fruition in Greece, while Chinese investment in the port of Piraeus could spur more investment in the near future. Toma Bačić reports.
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In depthFrance: Rethinking Technicentre training
Staff at the TGV maintenance depot at Villeneuve St Georges near Paris have developed scale models as part of a programme to rethink how training is provided to new recruits.
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In depthKenya: The lion stirs again
With expansion of the Chinese-backed standard-gauge railway currently on hold, Kenya Railways Corp has turned its attention to revitalising key sections of its ageing metre-gauge network. Chris Jackson investigates.
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In depthSenegal: TER to transform the Dakar commute
The first phase of an ambitious scheme to build an electrified suburban railway and airport rail link in Dakar is nearing completion. Murray Hughes reports.
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In depthTelemetry: Automated point heaters show IoT potential
`The roll-out of automated point heaters in Switzerland offers a case study showing how industrial IoT technology can help rail operators improve efficiency and reduce costs even as traffic increases.
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In depthAfrica: Dakar – Bamako trade artery awaits revival
Rehabilitating the moribund railway linking Senegal with landlocked Mali is seen as a ‘vector of growth’ in plans to stimulate the economy of the two countries. Murray Hughes investigates.
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In depthLevel Crossings: Getting the message across
As part of a programme to improve level crossing safety using intelligent transport systems, SNCF has been investigating the influence of dashboard messages on driver behaviour.
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In depthDigital Stations: Managing an intelligent hub
A suite of digital control and management tools intended to improve the operation of stations is proving particularly valuable in managing capacity during the coronavirus pandemic, while paving the way for further process automation.
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In depthNetherlands: Cultural change leads to optimal infrastructure use
Over the past two decades, the Dutch network has seen strong growth in train frequency, punctuality and user satisfaction. While infrastructure enhancements have played a part, Jan Swier argues that the potential of the network has been unlocked by structural and cultural change in the rail sector.
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In depthComment: Rebalancing public and private
Nick Kingsley , Managing Editor, Railway Gazette International ‘We believe that the travel market will look completely different after the pandemic’, predicted Snälltåget’s Head of Sales Marco Andersson, when he confirmed that the Transdev subsidiary was focusing on 2021, rather than trying to run its overnight ...
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In depthAustralia: The hard truth about interstate freight
High levels of taxation and track access charges are making rail freight uncompetitive with other modes, even on long hauls where speed and volume should give rail a natural advantage.
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In depthSpain: Two corridors to boost Iberian freight
Upgrading and reconstruction is in progress to facilitate creation of two freight corridors in the Iberian peninsula. One will link Portugal’s Atlantic ports with the French border at Irún/Hendaye, while the other offers a direct route between the Levante region and the industrial heartlands of northern Spain. Mike Bent reports.
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In depthSpain: Gauge debate delays Pajares cut-off opening
Completion of the long-planned Pajares cut-off in northern Spain as part of the country’s high speed network is now expected towards the end of this year. Inauguration is planned in 2022, reports Mike Bent.
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In depthFreight: Lineas targets cost-effective ETCS
Europe’s largest independent freight operator Lineas has decided to equip its diesel locomotives with a new generation of software-based ETCS onboard equipment being developed by The Signalling Company. Co-founders Stanislas Pinte, Alexandre Bétis and Christophe Lechevalier explain the thinking to Chris Jackson.
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In depthChina: Dedicated doctors tend vast high speed network
A dedicated fleet of trainsets designated as ’Doctor Yellow’ and ‘Doctor White’ is used to assess the condition of the high speed network across China. Murray Hughes reports.
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In depthSignalling: Taking ERTMS to the next level
The European Rail Traffic Management System has reached a turning point, as pressure grows to speed deployment alongside the research into ‘game changer’ technologies which can underpin the future control, command and signalling framework.
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In depthComment: Getting back on track
An essential first step will be to overcome the perception that public transport is dangerous, and emphasise that the risks can be managed. As well as putting the appropriate processes in place, it is vital to get the messaging right, and that needs to start now.