Search

Track Access Charges (TAC) represents the fees paid by operators to utilize railway infrastructure, encompassing tracks, stations, and related facilities. These charges play a crucial role in cost recovery for maintaining, expanding, and operating the railway network, while ensuring fair access for multiple operators. TAC regulations typically consider parameters, such as train mass, distance traveled, time of operation, and service type to determine charges, aiming to establish a transparent and competitive system that optimizes network use and to foster sustainability and growth. The paper undertakes a comprehensive comparative analysis of TAC across 18 European countries, delving into both qualitative and quantitative aspects of TAC regulations. It investigates on the intricate relationships between regulations and key network and capacity features. The analysis encompasses both quantitative metrics and qualitative evaluations, focusing on capacity management and network use. Furthermore, the paper provides recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance the efficacy of TAC regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Track circuits (TC) are special electrical circuits composed in part of the rails of the tracks, Electrical signals are circulated in them by which it is possible to determine the status of free (no rolling stock) or occupied (rolling stock presence) within a controlled portion of track can be determined. They therefore represent a fundamental element of the Control command and Signalling Sub-System (CCS) whose operation has a significant impact on the safety and regularity of railway operations. In this paper, the problem of proper TC modeling and simulation setup for the purposes of the issues of interest to be analyzed will be addressed. The discussion will analyze several case studies of interest for Class B systems referring further ones to subsequent publications. The method presented here, excluding the electrical modeling part of the track, consists of a generic method developed by the author during his experience on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Just over 10 years after the creation of the Italian National Transport Fund (FNT) and the subsequent start of a new process to improve the efficiency of local public transport, a critical analysis of the regulatory instruments introduced in Italy for this purpose and the related consequences on the equity in the distribution of resources between regions was developed in this paper, highlighting the need for substantial changes. Unfortunately, as emerges from the bibliographic analysis, current knowledge does not allow us to have tools and models to appropriately quantify the real financial needs of each region in the sector. Therefore, some aspects are identified that research will need to investigate further to support a correct distribution of the FNT’s resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essentially as a consequence of the COVID epidemic, there has been recently a large decrease in car registrations in Europe, accompanied by a substantial change in the evolution process of the split of car registrations between the three types of cars equipped with different propulsion systems that are offered on the market. There has been a fall in the proportion of the cars equipped with internal combustion engine (ICE), while there has been a boost to the production, and thus a push for electric car sales, both battery powered (BEV) and hybrid (HEV and PHEV). By using a dynamic model of competition between these three types of cars, this paper explains that this evolution process tends to a situation in which the car market in Europe will be dominated by hybrid cars, with ICE cars and BEV cars in marginal roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes some critical reflections relating to rail transport of people in Europe, with an indepth analysis on the Italian context. Some large numbers relating to high-speed railways and regional railways are compared, highlighting the limits and inequities of the policies pursued by some states that have preferred the logic of corridors to widespread networks. Therefore, the opportunity to change strategy is affirmed, adopting a different approach in the development policies of railway transport, inspired by territorial, economic, social and environmental equity (Fair-Sustainable Transport). The railways system of Calabria is analysed as a representative case study. Through a qualitative-quantitative analysis, the most significant critical issues are highlighted; 2 alternative scenario designs are then illustrated (new high-speed line, upgrading of infrastructures and services on the existing network), with related performance and cost characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is focused on the materials used for the manufacturing of the railway bogie frames. The paper will highlight the allowable and innovative materials after discussing the traditional materials related to the production of this vital rolling stock subsystem. Recently the design optimization is fundamental in all the automotive sectors, also in the railway field. For this reason the rail vehicle manufacturers have been engaged in a process of rolling stock innovation, reduction of cost, weight, material usage and environmental impact during the production and operation of the components. The optimization of the bogie frame has passed from the optimal design of shape, topology, material, the layout of components, the calculation of the strength and load-bearing characteristics of the frame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper moves from the scientific literature on Road Ecology and Railway Ecology to merge related concepts and criteria under a single definition: Ecology of Transportation Infrastructure (ETI). Common traits are the negative impacts generated by road and rail infrastructure on natural ecosystems, resulting in habitat loss or fragmentation for flora and fauna. Although not much addressed within transportation studies, the ETI contribution is crucial when addressing the enforcement of regulations in the fields of strategic environmental evaluation for transportation projects and planning, with a focus on landscaping issues. To this end, evaluation criteria are proposed to meet the regulations requirements, along with the main measures to implement. The goal is to increase awareness among transportation researchers and operators of the need to introduce ETI in studies and practice on construction, maintenance and evaluation of railway infrastructures, as a criterion to meet the environmental requirements. Thus, the paper is structured as follows: the development of the fundamental concepts and the related literature review is reported (Section 1) and the relevance within the regulatory tools on environmental assessments at landscape scale is stressed along with some factors of complexity affecting the process (Section 2); eventually, ETI criteria and measures to implement ETI with a focus on railways lines and artifacts are described (Section 3), and guidelines to assess their effectiveness within planning decision-making processes are proposed (Section 4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scope of this paper is to give an insight into one of the main deep-sea ports in the United Kingdom, the London Gateway, which is a part of the Thames Gateway project and to indicate how, through becoming more rail focussed, it is possible for both output and efficiency to increase. The aim of this study is ultimately to highlight how gradually shifting the reliance of moving freight to rail from road can enhance the overall throughput and output of a port, while also improving the nation’s overall carbon emissions. However, as the results from this simulation show, there is not always the option to solely rely upon rail freight, this is because an over dependency upon one form instead of the other can ultimately have detrimental consequences upon both throughput and output, as well as questions over whether the current rail infrastructure of the United Kingdom has the capacity and ability to handle longer freight trains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at establishing the most appropriate maximum cruising speed for a freight electric multiple unit (F-EMU), i.e., a concept of a new-generation freight train with distributed power, diagnosable and suitable to run also on high-speed lines. Different scenarios were simulated on the Turin-Verona (I) line, trying to achieve a service with five subsequent F-EMUs departing after the end of the passenger service and arriving before the scheduled night-time maintenance operations on the infrastructure. The scenarios considered the current signalling systems (SCMT and ERTMS level 2) and ETCS level 3 with train-platooning. It has been shown that, because of the limitations due to the tarpaulin guaranteed resistance of swap bodies loaded on the flat wagons, the most convenient speed for the design of these trains is 160 km/h, being the best compromise for line capacity and the efficiency of the service. Moreover, given the homotachic nature of the foreseen scenarios, train-platooning would be a viable solution for avoiding delays and pursuing a more reliable service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scope of this paper is to describe the new edition of CEI EN 50119, which is the reference standard for the overhead contact lines, focusing on its innovative aspects in comparison with the previous version. Major part of this text refers to an accurate analysis of the contents of Annex D, which represents the most significant innovation: for the first time since 2002, the Italian standard, besides the implementation at the national level of the corresponding European standard, defines some specific conditions applicable in Italy only. In the last part of this paper some calculation examples of the most significant quantities are shown, in order to supply the reader with help for understanding the theoretical aspects described in the previous clauses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the consequences of the imposition of the ban on sale of internal combustion engine cars (ICE) decided by the Parliament of the European Union. By using a dynamical model of the circulation split between ICE cars and electric cars it has been shown that these consequences essentially depend on the attitude to the electric car of Government and Public Administrations on the one hand, and of the ICE owners on the other. The combination of favourable attitude of both Governments and ICE car owners leads, after the ban imposition, to quick disappearance of ICE cars from circulation. Instead the consequences in the case of unfavourable attitude is the permanence in circulation of ICE cars beyond the threshold that have occurred in the absence of ban. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper develops a “decision tool” that helps railway infrastructure managers decide the interventions to make at a given railway level crossing of the network in order to improve safety for rail traffic and road users. The current research is based on multicriteria analysis using the PROMETHEE methodology. The proposed methodology is tested on two railway level crossings of the Hellenic railway network. The interventions considered in this study include grade separation, crossing closure, improvement of railway level crossing characteristics, and rehabilitation of underperforming railway level crossings based on standard specifications. The aim of this research is to rank qualifying improvement interventions that deal with railway crossings’ safety through multi-criteria decisionmaking analysis. Visual PROMETHEE Academic Edition version software was used to rank the improvement actions/interventions and select the best ones for each railway level crossing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper approaches freight and passengers fleets, affected by naval gigantism, to investigate its energetic and environmental effects. Among the emerging trends, we encounter the increase of the installed power and, more relevantly, of the transport capacity of the ships. The result is a decrease of the specific power, particularly in the last 20 years. In the same period, an increase of the performances of ships in terms of environmental and energetic sustainability is ongoing. A further acceleration in this direction could come from the introduction of less pollutant fuels and renewable energies. It is a pillar for the development of future sustainable fleets, with relevant emerging investigation needs. In this context, the paper proposes a synthetic approach, combining dimensions and environmental performances of ships, tested on container and cruises fleets in operation in selected worldwide most frequented locations. The results could be useful to check effective policies, basing on emerging technologies and implementation of new rules and regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Turin-Lyon railway line was completed in 1871. Its first part, between Turin and Chambéry, was previously planned by the Kingdom of Sardinia – which ended in 1861 with the unification of Italy – to connect the Piedmont region to the Savoy region, in particular with Chambéry, ancient capital of Duchy of Savoy. However, today the railway line shows relevant operating problems, due to the high sum of grade and curve resistance. A new line, whose most important section is the Fréjus base tunnel (Fig. 1), is under construction. This paper analyses the competitiveness of the new Turin-Lyon line in the complete framework of rail connections between Italy and the rest of Europe via the Alpine passes. To this end, firstly a great part of European rail network was modelled, with particular detail for the railway lines across the Alps. Three different scenarios were considered: ‘current’, in which only railway lines currently in operation are included; ‘project’, in which railway lines under construction are also considered; ‘future’, in which planned railway lines, but not yet under construction, are also included. In particular only the new base tunnel, between Bussoleno and St. Jean de Maurienne, was considered in the ‘project’ scenario, while the entire new Turin-Lyon line was considered in the ‘future’ scenario. Afterwards, the current freight demand, among European regions, which pertain to Alpine pass railway lines, was calculated using a multi-regional input-output model. Subsequently, a forecast of the freight demand was made for the year 2030, ‘project’ scenario, and 2050, ‘future’ scenario. Finally, the freight transport demand was assigned to the study network by a Probit model, in order to calculate the freight flows on the various Alpine railway passes in the different scenarios considered. This analysis shows that on the future new Fréjus railway line there will be a significant increase in freight flows, until reaching, in the ‘future’ scenario, freight flows comparable to those of the Gotthard and Brenner, albeit lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper develops and presents a framework allowing railway infrastructure managers to effectively assess which railway level crossing of their network may be critically reviewed and potentially cancelled without causing irrevocable and unbalanced burden to the neigh-bouring communities and adjacent / vertical road network users. The proposed methodological approach applies to both passive and active railway level crossings with minimal only daily road traffic (≤100 road vehicles) where pedestrian use is also kept to a bare minimum. The framework developed contributes to all stages of a railway level crossing’s closure process identified through research on the Greek railway network and addresses what has been pinpointed, through the current research, as the main challenge for which railway level crossing closure initiatives often fail – i.e. stakeholder resistance – in a simple, yet concise and frugal way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, more than ever, decision-makers are at the lookout for solutions aimed at dissuading private car use and promoting public transportation; unsurprisingly, urban guided transport systems emerge as the ideal solution. The framework proposed in this paper allows for selecting the most suitable urban guided transport system for given areas. It is based on exhaustive literature review. Our approach adopts sustainable mobility principles at its core assessing holistically what is relevant for economic, social, environmental, operational and technical criteria for comparatively appraising tram, metro, monorail and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems. Underpinned by a ranking system for criteria weighing and alternatives evaluation, as applicable to each criterion, and scored by a panel of experts, the proposed framework effectively considers the intricacies of the study area into question, eliminating results subjectivity and vagueness in the assessment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The so-called heavy freight trains (over 1600 t), sometimes even long (740-750 m), are now among the leaders of the future of rail transport of goods. The aim of this paper is to analyse, both theoretically and experimentally, the impact that this solution may have on the traction units (hooks with their traction castle or yoke) and the braking system. Concerning the traction units, the technical reference in Italy, no longer binding from 2021, is Tab. 20, art. 61, of the General Preface of the Timetable of Services (named PGOS) containing the correlations between the maximum towed mass and the plan-altimetric characteristics of the line (performance grade). This reference is questioned and compared with other foreign institutional sources and with analytical calculations referring to “quasistatic” conditions of the trainset, departing from a standstill, and again in “dynamic” conditions at high speeds. As far as the analysis in the braking phase is concerned, this was carried out by means of thermal evaluations on data collected from experimental observations compared with data available in the literature. Among the main results, considering a precautionary limit hook load of 400 kN, both in the quasi-static and dynamic conditions, it appears that the maximum load section or degree of performance on which a train of 2000 t can circulate is 15/16, corresponding approximately to an equivalent resistance deriving from the infrastructure (i.e. gradient and resistance in curves) of 15‰, without prejudice to the possibility of using thrust or booster locomotives at the rear, in compliance with the provisions of art. 60 of the mentioned PGOS. The thermal evaluations of the braking system confirmed that the maximum values reached are compatible with those in the literature and that the behaviour of the braking blocks is different according to their type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to UNI 11337, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the process of creating and managing information about a building throughout its life cycle. One of the fundamental results of this process is a multidimensional model, i.e. one that goes beyond the three-dimensional description and offers a complete perspective of the built work. This model is developed based on information that is collaboratively entered and updated during the main phases of the project. In this paper, we present the BIM model of the Gradec-Sveti Ivan Žabno railway line developed within the international cooperation activities between the Universities of Naples Federico II and Zagreb to highlight the advantages and limitations of the methodology applied to a real railway project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a market, where two typologies of cars are competing with each other, it happens sometimes that one of them, which is innovative and growing, at a certain point undergoes a decline, which ends with a turn towards a return of growth or towards an increase in decline. Using a dynamic model this paper has shown that the turn is due to an instability typical of innovation processes, and its direction depends on the value of a parameter that measures the resistance of users to giving up the typology of car in the decline phase. Applying this model to the evolution of the market of the Diesel car between 1990 and 2020, it has been shown that the fall in sales of cars after 2015 is due to the little resistance of users to giving up the car during the decline started around 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undergrounds and urban railways have become significant places from a cultural point of view, real distinctive signs of cities and their development. In this context, the Neapolitan capital (Italy) was among the first cities in Europe to understand the importance of building stations with high artistic and architectural standards. The desire to create an impressive infrastructural and architectural project, the strong innovative drive and the vision at the basis of the metro city project have been adopted, over the years, also in the planning of new underground lines such as Line 6. The purpose of this paper was to continue the narration of this visionary design idea by describing one of the most representative new station "Chiaia" of the Line 6, designed by the British artist Peter GREENAWAY. Furthermore, in order to quantify the impact of the Art Metro on the city and its citizens, a mobility survey was also carried out aimed at quantifying the number and type of visitors and tourists of the works of art widely exhibited in the overall Neapolitan metropolitan system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 containment measures are parts of the key strategies is to reduce human mobility to slow down the spread, thus at a crossroad with transport policy and affecting travel behaviors. In this paper, based on information collected with expert questionnaire and supported by a literature review, we carried out an analysis on how transport policy is affected through various COVID-19 containment measures. Our analysis shows that the COVID-19 measures on public transport are virtually all restrictive, calling for additional behavioral changes, typically wearing face masks and enforced on a precautionary basis, since there seems no epidemiological consensus that public transport is a high-risk superspreading environment at the current status of knowledge. Moreover, from the result of the expert questionnaire, it is clear that a large variety of measures has been enforced, in response to the specific problem of containment, thus demonstrating that there was neither preparedness nor common vision among the public transport operators. On the contrary, for private motorized transport, COVID-19 measures are often oriented on ease of existing restrictions and regulations. This is not in line with the principle of sustainable transport policies to encourage the use of active modes and public transport and to discourage the use of private motorized modes. It shows the vulnerability of current transport policy and policy-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews and summarizes the technological characteristics of magnetic levitation (Maglev) transport systems from a transport engineering point of view, providing a summary of the international state of the art, research activities and most significant applications over the last five decades. The main development phases of the Maglev systems are included and illustrated in the broader context of the evolutionary process of the railway transport system. This paper aims to categorize and clearly explain the basic principles, technologies and application fields of different Maglev transportation systems. Performances, potentials and limits of Maglev systems are analyzed in comparison with those of traditional wheelon-rail based ones. Additionally, Maglev research needs are included. Particular attention is paid to Maglev systems based on high critical temperature superconductivity technology: on this, the Italian and Chinese experiences are reported. Finally, the current research frontier focused on the development of futuristic evacuated tube transport (ETT) systems with very high speed (close to 1,000 km/h) Maglev vehicles is examined. In this respect, the potential and the main scientific and technological aspects that still need to be explored and resolved are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L’articolo si propone di descrivere le attività sviluppate nell’ambito del progetto ASTONRAIL (approcci e pratiche avanzate per la formazione e l’istruzione ferroviaria per rinnovare i programmi di studio e migliorare l’istruzione ferroviaria), finanziato dal programma ERASMUS+. L’obiettivo del progetto è quello di fornire una rassegna di nuove strategie nello sviluppo delle competenze ferroviarie, approcci e pratiche professionali al fine di rafforzare e modernizzare l’attuale sistema di istruzione superiore ferroviario in Europa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]