TPM 317: Rail transport

What is rail transport

Rail transport, also known as train transport, is a means of transportation that uses wheeled
vehicles running on tracks, usually consisting of two parallel steel rails. It is one of the two
primary means of land transport, next to road transport. Rail transport is used for about 8% of
passenger and freight transport globally, thanks to its energy efficiency and potentially high
speed. Trains are a connected series of rail vehicles that move along the track, with power
usually provided by diesel or electrical locomotives. Rail transport is considered one of the
safest forms of travel, and it is a major form of passenger and freight transport in many
countries. Rail transport is more efficient than road transport, but its main drawback is
flexibility, as traffic must follow fixed routes, trains must be assembled, and transshipment
must take place at terminals.

History of rail transport

The earliest forms of rail transport can be traced back to ancient times. In around 600 BC, the
Corinthians in Ancient Greece created the first predecessor of the railway, and by the late
1500s, pathways of wooden rails called "wagonways" were used in Germany, marking the
beginning of modern rail transport. The use of metal rails was a significant development in
the 1760s, which revolutionized the existing wooden rail systems. By the late 1700s, the first
steam-powered locomotives were developed in England, and the first passenger railway
opened in 1825. Railways quickly spread throughout Europe and the United States,
revolutionizing transportation and commerce. The development of metal rails in the 1760s
and the use of locomotive engines in the early 19th century were major milestones in the
history of rail transport. The commercial appearance of train networks came in the late 1820s,
with the construction of the world's first steam-powered railway journey and the subsequent
development of steam trains. These early forms of rail transport laid the foundation for the
extensive and advanced rail networks that exist today. Today, trains continue to be an
important mode of transportation, with high-speed trains travelling at speeds well over 300
miles per hour.

Development of rail transport in the world

Rail transport has evolved significantly since its humble beginnings. From the world's first
steam-powered railway journey in 1804 to the present day, trains have revolutionized the
transportation of passengers and goods, shaping economies, connecting people and places,
and prioritizing efficient and sustainable transportation. The commercial appearance of train
networks came in the late 1820s, and the pioneer in that field was English inventor George
Stephenson, whose "Rocket" showcased the potential of steam trains. Today, trains represent
one of the most important ways people and goods travel, with over 40% of worldwide goods
being carried by trains. The future of rail transport is also promising, with the global demand
for transport growing fast and the rail sector being among the most energy-efficient modes of
transport for freight and passengers5. The development of rail transport has been a key factor
in fostering economic growth, urban development, and social cohesion, and it continues to
play a vital role in the global transportation network.

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How did rail transport change the world?
Rail transport has significantly changed the world by revolutionizing travel, trade, and
communication. It forged new connections, transformed geography, and accelerated the
movement of people and goods. Railways enabled the growth of industries, unified countries,
and created economic opportunities. They also played a crucial role in the development of
new technologies and the reshaping of social and political structures. The impact of rail
transport was so extensive that it can be examined through various aspects such as shipping,
finance, management, careers, and popular reaction. The introduction of railways
fundamentally altered the way people perceived time and space, leading to a profound
transformation in the 19th century. The rapid expansion of railroads across the globe within a
few decades demonstrates the far-reaching effects of this mode of transportation. The
development of rail transport significantly changed transportation in Europe. The
establishment of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in England in the early 19th century
marked a pivotal moment, demonstrating the viability of steam locomotives as a practical and
efficient means of transportation. This led to a rapid expansion of railways across the
continent, boosting industrial productivity, stimulating economic growth, and fostering the
modernization of backward regions. The impact of the railway extended beyond its
immediate locality, solidifying its place as a seminal event in European railway history.
The introduction of rail transport revolutionized the movement of goods and people. It
facilitated the transportation of goods, particularly coal, at a significantly faster rate and
lower cost compared to traditional methods, leading to increased efficiency, industrial
productivity, and economic growth. The development of rail transport in Europe not only
transformed the transportation of goods and passengers but also played a crucial role in the
modernization and economic development of the continent.

There are various types of rail transport, including:

a) Heavy Rail: Heavy rail is a type of rail transport that is designed for high-speed, long-
distance travel, and is typically used for intercity passenger and freight transport.
b) Urban Rail: Urban rail transport includes various types of local rail systems that
provide transportation within urban areas, such as trams, light rail, and commuter rail.
c) Elevated Rail: Elevated rail is a type of rail transport that is built above ground level,
typically on a steel deck supported by piers, columns, and other structures.
d) Underground Rail: Underground rail is a type of rail transport that is built below
ground level, typically in subterranean tunnels, and is primarily used in densely
populated areas with high traffic density on roads.
e) Heritage Rail: Heritage rail is a type of rail transport that is used for tourism and
preservation purposes, often featuring historic locomotives and rolling stock.
f) Monorail: Monorail is a type of rail transport that uses a single rail track, typically
elevated, and is often used for urban transportation.
g) Funicular: Funicular is a type of rail transport that uses a cable to pull rail cars up
steep inclines, typically used for transportation in mountainous areas.
h) Mountain Railway: Mountain railway is a type of rail transport that is designed for
travel in mountainous areas, often featuring steep inclines and sharp curves.

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These different types of rail transport offer various benefits and are used for different
purposes, including transportation of passengers and goods, preservation, and tourism.

Benefits of Rail transport

The advantages of rail transport include its safety, environmental sustainability, and
contribution to economic and social development. Rail is the safest mode of land transport
and promotes socio-economic and territorial cohesion. It is also environmentally friendly,
emitting lower levels of CO 2 and contributing to the reduction of fuel consumption and
carbon emissions. Additionally, rail transport is well-suited to mass transportation and plays a
key role in multimodal transport, connecting regional and international centres. Furthermore,
the recent developments of battery-powered, hybrid, and hydrogen trains contribute to further
decarbonizing rail transport.

Rail transport management systems

Rail transport management systems can improve efficiency by optimizing route planning,
providing real-time visibility, reducing costs, enhancing coordination, and offering
multimodal compatibility. These systems can lead to faster and more efficient decision-
making, minimize empty miles driven, and streamline processes, ultimately improving
productivity and customer satisfaction. In addition, the implementation of digital traffic
management systems and digital train control systems is expected to improve the
performance of the railway network, reduce delays, and maximize throughput, benefiting
passengers, freight, and the national economy.
A rail transport management system can improve efficiency in several ways:
i. Optimized Route Planning: A rail transport management system can optimize routes,
taking into account factors such as traffic, distance, and delivery times, leading to
more efficient transportation5.
ii. Real-Time Visibility: A rail transport management system provides real-time
visibility into transportation operations, allowing businesses to quickly identify and
address any issues that may arise, leading to faster and more efficient decision-
making5.

iii. Cost Reduction: A rail transport management system can reduce costs by minimizing
empty miles driven, avoiding shipping delays and bottlenecks, and automating and
optimizing transportation processes52.
iv. Enhanced Coordination: A rail transport management system can enhance
coordination between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers,
streamlining processes, eliminating bottlenecks, and improving overall operational
efficiency4.
v. Multimodal Compatibility: A rail transport management system can be integrated
with other modes of transport, offering seamless end-to-end solutions and
contributing to the efficiency of the supply chain4.
vi. Overall, a rail transport management system can improve productivity, reduce costs,
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 and enhance customer satisfaction, making it a strategic investment for any
organization looking to stay competitive in today's fast-paced and interconnected
world1.

Load in use and their benefits and disadvantages

The term "load" has different meanings in various contexts. Here are some examples of the
benefits and disadvantages of "load" in different contexts:
1. Unit Load:
 Advantages: Material movement is more rapid, packing, shipping, and freight costs
are reduced, decreases the risk of damage during travel or keeping, and cuts the time
required for handling.
 Disadvantages: Increased initial loading time and improved performance, but it can
lead to slower subsequent loading times and increased memory usage.

2. Lazy Loading:
 Advantages: Enables modularity and reuse, reduces memory footprint, simplifies
update procedures, and reduces energy consumption and material usage in certain
transportation systems.
 Disadvantages: Introduces security risks, potential performance issues, and
decreases load stability.

3. Load Testing:
 Advantages: Helps define how much time users spent on the app’s pages, optimizes app
performance, and identifies and fixes errors.
 Disadvantages: Results can seem tedious to review, and ignoring load testing results can
lead to loss of clients due to app inefficiency.

4. Incremental Data Load:

 Advantages: Speed, call limitation, and preserving history in the data warehouse.
 Disadvantages: Maintainability and the need to load files in order, which can cause a
queue if there's a problem with one batch.

5. Load Sharing in Power Systems:

 Advantages: Increased reliability, improved efficiency, and cost savings.
 Disadvantages: Increased complexity, increased cost, and reduced stability in certain
situations.
These examples illustrate the diverse nature of "load" and its associated benefits and
disadvantages in different domains.

The benefits of load in use for transportation

a. Optimal Load Efficiency: Using the right vehicles for cargo, avoiding over or under
loading, and reducing packing, shipping, and freight costs.
b. Reduced Risk of Damage: Proper load planning and management can decrease the risk
of damage during travel or storage.
c. Improved Transport Efficiency: Load planning can reduce the number of vehicles on
the road, leading to reduced transportation costs and improved operational efficiency.
d. Flexibility and Door-to-Door Service: Road transport offers flexibility and door-to-
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 door service, allowing for individualized and rapid accommodation of transportation
needs.
These benefits contribute to cost savings, improved efficiency, and reduced risk in
transportation operations.

Rail network and its maintenance

Rail network maintenance is essential to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the railway
system. Maintenance is the day-to-day upkeep of the network, which includes checking,
maintaining, repairing, or replacing things such as track, bridges, tunnels, power cables,
signalling equipment, and more. Train maintenance is also crucial to ensure the reliability and
safety of the railway system. Regular maintenance is the essential ingredient to achieve a
reliable and safe railway service.
Railway track maintenance is a complex process that involves both proactive and reactive
maintenance activities, as well as regular inspections and repairs.
a) Routine maintenance is the most common type of railway track maintenance, which
includes activities such as visual inspections, replacing worn-out parts, greasing
points, cleaning, repacking ballast, and other general upkeep activities.
b) Preventive maintenance involves careful monitoring of the rail network to identify
potential faults before they occur. Predictive maintenance is a way of keeping track of
the age of rail structures and service equipment, predicting when they will require
repair or replacement.
c) Corrective maintenance involves identifying the issue at hand and then taking
corrective action to resolve it.
d) Emergency maintenance is used when there’s an urgent need for repair due to an
unforeseen event such as derailments.
e) Rolling stock maintenance can be programmed in one of three ways; by mileage, by
time, or by conditioning monitoring.

Route determination and selection

Route determination and selection is a process of selecting the best path or route for
transportation that minimizes costs and maximizes efficiency. The process involves two
major dimensions: cost minimization and operation management. Cost minimization involves
minimizing the overall costs of the transport system, including construction and operating
costs. Operation management concerns the management of flows in a network. The most
common route selection activity considers routes as fixed entities. The choice of linking a
location to another, and more importantly, the path selected, is part of a route selection
process that respects a set of general constraints. The primary considerations for route
selection are factors such as distance and topography.
Route determination is a process of selecting the best route for transportation based on
various parameters such as depart country, shipping conditions in customer master record,
etc.

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In the context of subsea pipeline route determination, the process involves systematically
evaluating geological, geotechnical, ecological, and cultural factors to select the optimal route
across a composite cost surface.
Traffic conditions effects on route determination for rail transportation
Traffic conditions can significantly affect route determination for rail transportation.
Congestion and delays can impact the efficiency of the rail network, leading to increased
costs and reduced reliability. Transportation planners must consider traffic conditions when
selecting the best route for rail transportation. For example, if a particular route is known to
have heavy traffic, planners may choose an alternative route to avoid delays and congestion.
Additionally, planners may consider the time of day when selecting a route, as traffic
conditions can vary depending on the time of day. In summary, traffic conditions are an
essential factor in route determination for rail transportation, and transportation planners must
consider them to ensure efficient and cost-effective transportation of goods.
Development and closure of lines, track layout and signalling
Railway lines are developed and closed based on various factors such as demand, cost, and
feasibility. Track layout and signalling are essential components of railway infrastructure that
ensure the safe and efficient movement of trains. The UK railway signalling system uses
lineside signals to control the movement and speed of trains. A lot is being invested in the
railway's 'traffic light system' to replace outdated signalling systems and increase capacity.
Track layout and signalling are also affected by engineering works, which involve changing
track layouts, updating signalling systems, or carrying out other major engineering works.
Railway maintenance machines such as those for track renewal are used to maintain and
modify the track layout5. The closure of railway lines is also necessary for maintenance and
engineering works to ensure a safe and reliable rail network.
Factors considered in designing a railway signalling system
The factors considered in designing a railway signalling system include:
a. Dependability and Reliability: The system's availability and performance, which are
influenced by factors such as reliability and interoperability, are crucial in ensuring
the dependability of the signalling system.
b. Human Factors: Consideration of human factors is essential in the design of railway
signalling systems. This includes understanding how the system will be used by
operators and maintainers, and how it will interact with other systems and personnel.
c. Hardware and Software Interoperability: The interoperability between hardware and
software components is vital for the supervision and protection of the railway
network. The signalling system must work properly, and there should be no lack of
interoperability between its various components.
d. Environmental and Weather Conditions: Designing the signalling system to account
for environmental and weather conditions, such as the influence of weather on the
reliability of track circuits, is important for ensuring system robustness and reducing
maintenance needs.

e. Material and Mechanical Design: The design of mechanical elements, installation

procedures, and manufacturing drawings for various components of the signalling
system, including fasteners, cables, and metal works, is a critical part of the
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 signalling system design.
These factors are essential for ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of railway
signalling systems.
Optimizing line of passenger and freight rolling stock and auxiliary equipment
The integrated optimization of passenger and freight rolling stock, along with auxiliary
equipment, aims to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and address various
challenges in rail transportation, ultimately leading to enhanced service quality and resource
utilization. The optimization of passenger and freight rolling stock, as well as auxiliary
equipment, is a complex and critical aspect of rail transportation. Integrated optimization
solutions have been proposed to consider various factors such as line plan, timetable, rolling
stock schedule, and passenger demand. These solutions aim to deliver better outcomes by
considering the facilities and equipment conditions of urban rail transit lines, characteristics
of passenger flow, and the practicality and reliability of the integrated model.
The benefits of such integrated optimization include improved operational efficiency,
reduced enterprise fixed and variable costs, decreased passenger waiting time costs, and
collaborative optimization between rolling stock and train scheduling. Additionally, the
solutions aim to address traffic restrictions and adverse impacts on carriers, while also
considering alternative paths to enhance freight transportation.
The challenges in optimizing line of passenger and freight rolling stock and auxiliary
equipment
The challenges in optimizing the line of passenger and freight rolling stock, and auxiliary
equipment include:
1) Complexity: The integrated optimization of line planning, timetabling, and rolling
stock scheduling is a complex task due to the numerous interdependent variables and
constraints involved.
2) Sensitivity Analysis: Conducting sensitivity analysis for factors such as fleet size,
maximum number of service routes, and weight coefficient of the objective function
is essential but can be challenging due to the need for accurate and comprehensive
data.
3) Traffic Restrictions: In the case of freight transportation, traffic restrictions can have
an adverse impact on carriers, and identifying alternative paths to mitigate these
restrictions can be a challenge.
4) Model Effectiveness: Ensuring the effectiveness of the proposed optimization models
for rolling stock scheduling and train formation based on passenger demand requires
comprehensive data and accurate forecasting.
5) Regulatory and Environmental Factors: Meeting regulatory requirements and
environmental goals, such as the challenge of removing all diesel engines from
passenger trains by 2040, can pose significant challenges in optimizing passenger
rolling stock.
Addressing these challenges requires advanced modeling, comprehensive data, and a deep
understanding of the operational and regulatory environment in which the optimization is
taking place.

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Common optimization techniques used in railway line planning and rolling stock
scheduling
The common optimization techniques used in railway line planning and rolling stock
scheduling include:
a) Integrated Optimization: This approach considers the line plan, timetable, and rolling
stock schedule to deliver better outcomes, such as improved operational efficiency
and reduced costs.
b) Joint Optimization: A method for the joint optimization of train timetabling and
rolling stock circulation planning, aiming to achieve a consistent and high-quality
operation scheme.
c) Sensitivity Analysis: This technique is used to analyze the impact of factors such as
fleet size and the maximum number of service routes on the integrated model, proving
its practicability and reliability.
d) Deterministic Search Algorithm: Developed as part of the integrated optimization
model, this algorithm contributes to the optimization of line planning, timetabling,
and rolling stock scheduling.
e) Bi-Objective Model: This model aims to deliver collaborative optimization between
the rolling stock and train scheduling, considering multiple objectives such as
enterprise fixed and variable costs, and passenger waiting time costs.

These techniques are designed to address the complexities of railway line planning and
rolling stock scheduling, ultimately leading to improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness in
rail transportation.
National, regional and local organisation of rail transport
In the United Kingdom, the rail transport system is organized at the national, regional, and
local levels. Here is an overview of the organization of rail transport in the UK based on the
provided sources:
1. National Level:
o Network Rail: Network Rail owns, operates, and develops Britain's railway
infrastructure. It is responsible for 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels,
viaducts, signals, level crossings, and stations. It is a not-for-dividend company
limited by guarantee and is regulated by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
2. Regional Level:
o Network Rail Regions: Network Rail is divided into five regions: Eastern, North
West & Central, Scotland’s Railway, Southern, and Wales & Western. Each region
is led by a managing director and is responsible for operations, maintenance, and
minor renewals. The regions were formed in June 2019 to be more responsive to the
needs of train operators, passengers, and freight users.

3. Local Level:
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 o Passenger Transport Executives: Various local entities, such as Transport for West
Midlands, Transport for Greater Manchester, Merseytravel, and others, are involved
in the planning and funding of local transport services and networks.
At the national level, Network Rail is the key organization responsible for the railway
infrastructure, while at the regional and local levels, a combination of Network Rail regions
and local transport authorities play a significant role in the operation and management of the
rail transport system.