Articles tagged with Railways
Research shows glacial lakes in Alaska expanding 50% faster than previously recorded, posing significant hazards and altering ecosystems. The study identifies areas where lakes may form and grow, helping with infrastructure planning and predicting changes to ecosystems, hazards, and recreation.
Researchers at Graz University of Technology developed a new, more robust insulated joint system to reduce failures and damage on heavily used rail lines. The prototype is expected to double the service life of previous joints and cause lower stresses in the material.
A comprehensive study reveals critical vulnerabilities in smart railways, from data breaches to operational sabotage. Key findings propose comprehensive mitigation strategies, emphasizing human factors and staff training in building cyber-resilient systems.
Researchers have developed a world-first system of rubber shock absorbers made from recycled tyres, significantly protecting railway tracks from damage. The technology reduces degradation and increases stability, saving millions of dollars annually for the Australian rail industry.
Aston University researchers are investigating the use of AI in creating greener cities, exploring policy tools to reduce emissions and optimize transportation. The project aims to develop decision-support tools for policymakers to improve urban infrastructure management and reduce environmental hazards.
A study found that social influence and trust play key roles in older adults' adoption of demand-responsive transportation. The research, conducted in Senboku New Town, Osaka, revealed significant relationships between behavioral intention and performance expectancy among older people.
A new study by Finnish researchers found that recycled plastic railway sleepers can significantly reduce carbon emissions, with potential savings of up to 3,610 tCO2e per year. The production process for these plastics requires less energy and generates fewer emissions than traditional materials like steel and concrete.
Researchers identified critical trains that significantly transfer delays to subsequent services, known as 'influencer trains'. Adding new train services or replacing sharing rolling stock can reduce overall delays by up to 40%.
A new deep learning model enhances railroad condition monitoring by combining Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, achieving 97% accuracy in detecting train positions and conditions. The model's real-time processing capabilities enable swift intervention and mitigation of potential hazards.
Researchers analyzed compacted hairs from Tsavo lion museum specimens to find that historic lions preyed on humans, giraffes, wildebeests and oryx. The study provides insights into the ecology and diet of lions in the past and potential human-lion conflicts in Africa.
A new study evaluates the ice-covered environmental adaptability of overhead contact systems in high-speed railways, introducing a dynamic model to simulate and analyze pantograph-catenary system performance. The research highlights the importance of evaluating system resilience amidst icy environments.
A recent study by TU Graz found that rail transport contributes significantly to particulate matter emissions, with levels reaching up to 25 micrograms per cubic meter along railway lines. This poses a concern for air quality and soil pollution, particularly in areas with increased braking activity.
A new study published in Risk Analysis found that longer freight trains are more likely to derail compared to shorter trains. The research, which analyzed US freight train accidents between 2013-2022, showed a 24% higher risk for 200-car trains.
A new study published in Risk Analysis has found that longer freight trains are more likely to experience derailments, with a 100-car train being over twice as likely to derail than a 50-car train. This increase in risk could lead to higher rates of accidents and greater safety concerns for the rail transport system.
A new transit station in Japan significantly reduced average healthcare expenditures per capita over four years, with savings of approximately $929.99. The study used a causal impact algorithm and time series data to analyze the medical expenditure data gathered from a suburban city on the West Japan Railway line.
The new Repoint technology features a lift and move mechanism with passive locks, ensuring fault-tolerant operation even when two actuators fail. It has been successfully tested at a test track, demonstrating compatibility and functionality with conventional switch rail arrangements.
Researchers found that space weather events can trigger 'wrong side' failures in rail signalling systems, which are more hazardous than 'right side' failures. This study highlights the need for the industry to consider the risks of space weather and explore mitigation strategies.
The American Heart Association is providing funding to social impact entrepreneurs in Houston to address health inequities in under-resourced communities. The funds will support sustainable, entrepreneurial solutions that improve access to quality healthcare, housing, and educational opportunities.
Researchers developed a novel train control system with dynamic configuration, reduced track-side equipment, and improved maintainability to achieve cost savings and increased transportation efficiency. The study promotes the integration of GNSS-based positioning and navigation technologies to enhance railway operations.
The STREAM project developed the StreamEXO exoskeleton, which reduces musculoskeletal system's ergonomic risk of physical overload by 50% and muscle fatigue by 30%. The device generates forces to support workers' backs during heavy manual material handling activities.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers reconstructed crude oil transport paths by linking geotagged images with national railway networks. The study found that these inferred routes aligned with approximately 96% of documented incidents, highlighting potential risks along rail routes.
Researchers from Aston University and the University of York discovered new insights into how the human brain makes perceptual judgments of the external world. They found that humans can exploit 'defocus blur' to infer perceptual scale, but this process is crude and more heuristic than metrical analysis.
The University of Huddersfield has launched a smart rolling stock maintenance research facility to investigate cutting-edge technologies for improving the efficiency and reliability of train maintenance. The facility aims to reduce costs, increase reliability, and make rail travel more affordable.
The CEE team is leading a new project to develop better systems for evaluating the structural health of rail lines and modernizing pavement design and evaluation procedures. Researchers will focus on developing a rail structural capacity rating and Joint Evaluation and Design Integrated (JEDI) Solution software tools.
A new study by the University of Surrey found that London Underground stations have high levels of fine and coarse air pollution particles, exceeding World Health Organization guidelines. The research recommends improving ventilation on the London Underground to mitigate health risks.
Researchers developed UnlockedMaps to provide real-time accessibility information for urban rail transit stations, with a focus on elevators. The system shows accessible and inaccessible stations, allowing users to plan their trips accordingly.
A new study reveals that 60% of northern Fennoscandia's grazing land is exposed to multiple pressures, including forestry, tourism, and climate change. This reduces the size and quality of summer grazing areas, with only 4% remaining undisturbed.
A Rutgers team created an AI-powered framework that detects trespassing events, differentiates violators, and generates video clips of infractions. The system analyzed 1,632 hours of archival footage and found nearly 70% of trespassers were men, with most incidents occurring on Saturdays around 5 p.m.
Researchers use AI software to identify invasive species and native trees threatened by disease from photos taken by on-train cameras. This technology enables railway workers to take action to better manage lineside vegetation and achieve biodiversity net gain by 2035.
A new study by Dr. Marin Marinov at Aston University proposes three solutions to make train commuting less stressful: purchasing tickets on smartphones, removing ticket gates and installing sensors, and implementing one-way flow systems in station concourses. These changes could reduce queuing times and promote social distancing.
A novel solution uses ultrasonic technology to detect critical form of lubrication between a railway wheel and the track, reducing maintenance costs and improving safety. The automated vehicle-mounted system will communicate presence and absence of lubrication to Network Rail.
A new AI method accurately estimates timetable robustness within milliseconds, enabling efficient optimization. This improves balance between passenger needs and economic conditions.
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology analyzed 18 Tokyo Metropolitan Area railway lines to understand the impact of in-vehicle congestion on efficiency. They found that incorporating congestion rates into efficiency analysis can help develop better public transit strategies, leading to higher service levels and sustainability.
The £1 million HAROLD 2.0 test rig will enhance the facility's functionality with real-time train braking performance models and a fully functional AC power bogie, enabling analysis of on-train systems and novel hybrid drivetrains.
The University of Huddersfield's Institute of Railway Research has won a prestigious prize from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for its 'Low Adhesion Braking Dynamic Optimisation for Rolling Stock' (LABRADOR) simulation tool. This tool allows for the study of specific brake control features and prediction of train brak...
A study from Denmark found that long-term exposure to road traffic and railway noise is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease. The researchers estimate that up to 1,216 cases of dementia in 2017 could be attributed to these noise exposures.
The STREAM project aims to reduce costs and increase worker safety in railway construction, operation, and maintenance by introducing robotic technologies. The project will deliver two methods: a control platform for converting heavy-duty hydraulic machines into autonomous systems, and a modular wearable active exoskeleton to reduce ph...
A recent study used real British Railway data and an artificial intelligence model to improve the ability to predict delays in railway networks. The Spatial-Temporal Graph Convolutional Network model outperformed other statistical models for forecasting delays up to 60 minutes in the future.
A new study published in the Journal of Transport & Health found that a jughandle design can virtually eliminate single bicycle crashes at railway crossings. The design realigns the approach angle to about 60 degrees, reducing the risk of tire being caught in the gap between the rail and pavement.
Researchers at George Mason University are reviewing the Positive Train Control Safety Plan to ensure its alignment with federal regulations. The study aims to confirm the plan's effectiveness in preventing train accidents such as collisions and derailments.
The Smart Rolling Stock Maintenance project aims to reduce costs, increase reliability, and enhance safety through the use of industrial automation and advanced condition monitoring. The project will explore the potential of data analytics to plan and schedule maintenance more efficiently.
Researchers have discovered a new bioluminescence mechanism in railroad worm Phrixothrix hirtus, emitting red light through the size of its luciferase cavity. This discovery has potential for biomedical applications like imaging muscles and blood tissue.
Researchers developed new accelerometers to measure acceleration and vibration on trains, enabling real-time monitoring of track or train problems. The sensors use polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber and can detect frequencies double that of traditional accelerometers.
A leading public health expert is calling for strategic green burial corridors alongside major transport routes due to Britain's rapidly depleting graveyards. With 500,000 annual deaths in England and Wales, no burial space will be left within five years.
Researchers found signs of ground failure, including slumped road ramps and liquefaction, in the aftermath of the 2018 Anchorage earthquake. The study suggests that shaking from the quake did not reactivate past landslides, likely due to its short duration.
A new study reveals that a quarter of all Holocaust victims were murdered during only three months of Operation Reinhard. The majority of deaths occurred during this time period, which was 83% higher than the Rwanda genocide.
A new study finds that one-third of protected land globally is under intense human pressure, threatening conservation efforts. However, protected areas designated after 1993 have lower levels of human pressure within their borders.
A new £4.8 million engineering research programme, ACHILLES, will examine how to maintain and monitor linear infrastructure assets to improve resilience. The project involves experts from seven universities and aims to develop deterioration models and sensors for better maintenance and safety.
Researchers achieved 20 Gbit/s data transmission over a converged fiber-wireless network in the 90-GHz band, enabling smooth and uninterrupted communication for high-speed trains. Ultra-fast switching of optical paths to remote radio stations was also demonstrated, making handover-free communication possible.
BNSF Railway has been awarded the 2018 INFORMS Prize for their pioneering integration of operations research and analytics programs. The O.R. program has driven better decision-making in various aspects of the company's rail network, resulting in annual savings of over $110 million.
Researchers have developed a stretchable ultrasound patch that can image internal imperfections on curved surfaces without water or gel. The device uses an island-bridge structure and piezoelectric transducers to produce ultrasound waves, enabling real-time imaging and videoing of complex structures.
A microscopic 'railway' system in cells can adjust its structure to suit bodies' needs, with research suggesting stabilization by kinesin enzymes. This discovery could lead to improved treatments for diseases linked to microtubule abnormalities, such as Alzheimer's and cancer.
A team of UMass Lowell researchers has developed sensing fabrics with optical fibers and sensors to monitor structural health and integrity of vital infrastructures. These fabrics can detect cracks and strain early on, minimizing maintenance costs and environmental impacts.
A £680,000 EU-funded project aims to enhance rolling stock maintenance with condition monitoring techniques, resulting in cost savings and improved passenger satisfaction. The University of Huddersfield's Institute of Railway Research is testing new methods on London Underground trains.
The RUN2RAIL project aims to develop lighter, more reliable, comfortable, and quieter rolling stock by investigating novel materials and manufacturing processes. Carbon fibre frames and key components made using 3D printing technology are expected to reduce weight and improve designs.
A new system uses drones to monitor railroad tracks, detecting good condition and possible incidents, allowing for automated data processing and reduction of human access to the track. This innovation improves safety for both users and workers, while also saving costs.
Researchers from CNRS and INSA Strasbourg propose a new mechanism to explain lower-than-predicted vibrations near tracks as train speed increases. They show that a large part of energy is trapped in the heterogeneous ballast layer, leading to accelerated degradation.
A QUT study found drivers approach level crossings significantly faster and with less caution than at road intersections, posing a significant risk of fatalities. Drivers often fail to assess the situation properly, failing to recognize approaching trains or adapting their behavior for reduced visibility during night-time driving.
Red squirrels cache seeds in underground storage areas, which grizzly bears dig up and consume, conditioning them to seek grain on trains. This behavior can lead to increased train strikes and human-wildlife conflicts.
Climate change creates extreme conditions that impact railway bridge maintenance, requiring new solutions to mitigate track deterioration and reduce carbon emissions. The study evaluates the effectiveness of eight mitigation measures, recommending elastic rail pads, soft baseplates, and under ballast mats for short-span bridges.