Features & Analysis – Page 32
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In depthPutting Chile back on the rails
In contrast to the fluctuating political support that has long hampered railway development in Latin America, President Sebastián Piñera has launched a wide-ranging investment programme to boost rail’s market share. Toma Bačić investigates.
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In depthMajor Projects: Software challenge blows Crossrail off course
For a decade, construction of London’s east-west cross-city tunnel seemed set for completion on time in late 2018. But this deadline has slipped as project promoter Crossrail Ltd grapples with the emerging complexity of delivering a new railway centred on digital technology. Alan Hannaford* reflects on the challenges faced.
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Digital archiveAustria: Brenner Base Tunnel passes the halfway mark
Dott-Ing Gilberto Cardola and Dipl-Ing Martin Gradnitzer, joint CEOs of the Brenner Base Tunnel company, briefed Toma Bačić in Innsbruck on progress with construction.
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In depthInfrastructure: Making maintenance smarter
Digital asset management and innovative rail treatment techniques lie at the heart of Vossloh Rail Services’ integrated approach to track maintenance. Managing Director Marcel Taubert explains the company’s strategy to Chris Jackson in Hamburg.
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In depthIndustry focus: Mergers in vogue as transport market draws interest
Expansion of the global rail and public transport markets is attracting interest from a range of businesses and investors.
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In depthAustria: Night vision
Austrian Federal Railways has made headlines in recent months by announcing a major expansion of its Nightjet network of overnight trains, tapping into the pan-European trend for ‘flight shaming’. But as CEO Andreas Matthä explains to Toma Bačić, this is just one strand in a strategy to deliver sustainable growth and modal shift.
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In depth‘A brilliant future as the backbone of mobility’
As it approaches its centenary, the International Union of Railways is reasserting itself as the technical platform for the sector. Murray Hughes talks to UIC Director General François Davenne in Paris.
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In depthHungary: Fight of the giants
Stadler and Transmashholding have been vying to take over Dunakeszi Járműjavító, to support local assembly deals. Benjámin Zelki investigates.
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In depthIndia: Time to let go
Indian Railways’ in-house production units are at a crossroads, with the government floating plans to spin them off. Raghu Dayal explains.
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In depthJapan: Fukuoka edges towards expansion
The largest city in Kyushu is one of the fastest growing in Japan, and one of the few to be actively expanding its urban rail provision. Benjámin Zelki investigates.
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In depthJapan: All eyes on the track stars
The world’s busiest urban rail network is preparing to handle more than 650 000 extra users per day during the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the government encouraging regular commuters to work from home. Benjámin Zelki reports from Tokyo.
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In depthNorway: Digital campus supports ERTMS roll-out
Complete replacement of existing signalling with ETCS forms a key element in Norway’s digital railway initiative, as part of a massive investment in rail to reduce the country’s carbon footprint. Chris Jackson reports from Oslo.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 ...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.