Features & Analysis – Page 29
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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.
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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.