Features & Analysis – Page 23
-
In depthRealising the digital freight train
French start-up Traxens has developed a digital brake testing procedure to reduce the time needed for pre-departure checks on freight trains. It could be the first step towards the creation of an IoT ecosystem to support rail freight operations. Nick Kingsley reports.
-
In depthRailway computing needs open standards
As trains become smarter, with software control of more and more subsystems, the adoption of open standards for embedded computing would enable a move towards simpler hardware platforms supporting a variety of modular applications.
-
In depthLeveraging IoT to drive operational efficiencies
Combining Edge and Cloud computing with an onboard IoT platform enables railway operators to consolidate and analyse multiple data streams, including visual intelligence and AI, potentially paving the way for automated train operation.
-
NewsDoll to leave DB as Arriva sale falters
Photo: Deutsche Bahn AG/Pablo Castagnola GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn has announced that Alexander Doll, Board Member for Finance, Freight Traffic & Logistics, will leave the business on December 31. Doll’s departure was agreed on November 18 at an extraordinary meeting of the Supervisory Board. A new chief financial ...
-
In depthAustralia: Automated operation is paying off
Building on earlier technical enhancements, the roll-out of driverless operation under the AutoHaul project is already starting to deliver capacity and efficiency benefits that have more than justified a decade of development, Rio Tinto’s Shaun Robertson tells Chris Jackson.
-
In depthPhilippines: Building to catch up
Rail is among the cornerstones of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ initiative, with investment in and around the capital a priority to alleviate mounting traffic congestion. Peter Janssen reports from Manila.
-
In depthAustralia: Victoria’s Big Build forges ahead
Level crossing removals, capacity enhancements and a cross-city tunnel through central Melbourne are among the rail projects at the centre of the state government’s infrastructure investment programme. John Kirk investigates.
-
In depthVectron family goes bimode
Siemens has developed a 2 MW electro-diesel variant of its modular locomotive family, which will help to reduce exhaust emissions where diesel trains now run on electrified routes. Dr Harry Hondius reports from München.
-
In depthAccelerating the decarbonisation of rail
Pressure to decarbonise rail transport has driven interest in hydrogen fuel cells and battery technology as an alternative to diesel traction. Both will find a growing role in the rail sector, but wider factors including emissions from power generation will also influence deployment choices.
-
In depthItaly: Transformation at Italo-NTV
These are important lessons to be learned from the remarkable business turnaround achieved by Italy’s high speed open access operator Italo-NTV in the last five years.
-
NewsTravel industry confirms rail ‘renaissance’ in Europe
INTERNATIONAL: Assertions that long-distance rail services in Europe are rapidly becoming more popular as passengers eschew flying for environmental reasons were amply confirmed at the Rail Innovation Forum organised by Amadeus at its head office near Nice on October 9-10. Speakers from across the travel industry highlighted ...
-
In depthItaly: Terzo Valico line to open in 2023
Construction of the long-planned third main line between Genova and Tortona is now in full swing. Benjámin Zelki reports fom northen Italy.
-
In depthA holistic approach to asset management
A ‘hockey stick model’ can be used to understand the risk of degradation in the condition of rail vehicles, which mitigates the risk of cost control and fleet availability problems for rolling stock owners. Imagine the scenario. You are the maintenance manager of a large suburban ...
-
In depthRail operating contracts must reflect sustainability goals
Rail and urban transport operating contracts remain largely wedded to conventional metrics such as punctuality and capacity. But these do not adequately address wider sustainability goals or enable operators to increase the benefits of their operations for customers and wider society. The ability to move people ...
-
In depthTurkey: Deadline looms over 2023 master plan
The Turkish government has spent much of the past decade investing in high speed lines and major route modernisation with the aim of launching a radically enhanced main line network in 2023, centenary of the modern republic. But there is much work still to do and funding problems are growing. ...
-
In depthNorth America: Riding the PSR revolution
Precision Scheduled Railroading has become the latest darling of North American railroading, overtaking PTC as the top priority for senior managers as Wall Street investors demand improved profitability. Dave Lustig investigates.
-
NewsModern Rolling Stock conference: Riding a wave of innovation
Digitalisation, automation and future skills were the centre of discussion at the 45th Modern Rolling Stock conference in Graz.
-
NewsChina: CR targets modal shift as bulk traffic plateaus
Rapid increases in container transport and Eurasian landbridge traffic have helped to boost China’s rail freight sector, with improved port links and high speed parcels traffic seen as drivers for future growth. Andrew Benton investigates.
-
In depthNew York: From Penn Station to Empire Complex
Overcrowded, outdated and confusing, New York Penn Station has been roundly criticised in recent years as a symbol of the Big Apple’s inability to develop modern infrastructure. But multiple improvement projects are now underway, raising hopes that a more spacious and comfortable hub could yet emerge. Nick Kingsley reports from Manhattan.
-
NewsWorld Speed Survey 2019
China has outstripped all others with the fastest trains attaining start-to-stop averages well over 300 km/h.