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1 – 10 of over 1000Rubens C.N. Oliveira and Zhipeng Zhang
The purpose of this study is to address the extended travel time caused by dwelling time at stations for passengers on traditional rail transit lines. To mitigate this issue, the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to address the extended travel time caused by dwelling time at stations for passengers on traditional rail transit lines. To mitigate this issue, the authors propose the “Non-stop” design, which involves trains comprised of modular vehicles that can couple and uncouple from each other during operation, thereby eliminating dwelling time at stations..
Design/methodology/approach
The main contributions of this paper are threefold: first, to introduce the concept of non-stop rail transit lines, which, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, has not been researched in the literature; second, to develop a framework for the operation schedule of such a line; and third, the author evaluate the potential of its implementation in terms of total passenger travel time.
Findings
The total travel time was reduced by 6% to 32.91%. The results show that the savings were more significant for long commutes and low train occupancy rates.
Research limitations/implications
The non-stop system can improve existing lines without the need for the construction of additional facilities, but it requires technological advances for rolling stock.
Originality/value
To eliminate dwelling time at stations, the authors present the “Non-stop” design, which is based on trains composed of locomotives that couple and uncouple from each other during operation, which to the best of the authors’ knowledge has not been researched in the literature.
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Auxiliary power system is an indispensable part of the train; the auxiliary systems of both electric locomotives and EMUs mainly are powered by one of the two ways, which are…
Abstract
Purpose
Auxiliary power system is an indispensable part of the train; the auxiliary systems of both electric locomotives and EMUs mainly are powered by one of the two ways, which are either from auxiliary windings of traction transformers or from DC-link voltage of traction converters. Powered by DC-link voltage of traction converters, the auxiliary systems were maintained of uninterruptable power supply with energy from electric braking. Meanwhile, powered by traction transformers, the auxiliary systems were always out of power while passing the neutral section of power supply grid and control system is powered by battery at this time.
Design/methodology/approach
Uninterrupted power supply of auxiliary power system powered by auxiliary winding of traction transformer was studied. Failure reasons why previous solutions cannot be realized are analyzed. An uninterruptable power supply scheme for the auxiliary systems powered by auxiliary windings of traction transformers is proposed in this paper. The validity of the proposed scheme is verified by simulation and experimental results and on-site operation of an upgraded HXD3C type locomotive. This scheme is attractive for upgrading practical locomotives with the auxiliary systems powered by auxiliary windings of traction transformers.
Findings
This scheme regenerates braking power supplied to auxiliary windings of traction transformers while a locomotive runs in the neutral section of the power supply grid. Control objectives of uninterrupted power supply technology are proposed, which are no overvoltage, no overcurrent and uninterrupted power supply.
Originality/value
The control strategies of the scheme ensure both overvoltage free and inrush current free when a locomotive enters or leaves the neutral section. Furthermore, this scheme is cost low by employing updated control strategy of software and add both the two current sensors and two connection wires of hardware.
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A case study is presented which shows how savings of some 16% in annual running costs were achieved for a large, internal transportation system. The method of analysis and…
Abstract
A case study is presented which shows how savings of some 16% in annual running costs were achieved for a large, internal transportation system. The method of analysis and implementation that were used are believed to be applicable to a wide variety of transportation systems. The original system consisted of the total area served being split into separately operating sub‐areas. There was little sharing of jobs and facilities between areas. The new system created larger operating areas so that greater sharing of facilities ensued. The estimation of the ideal operating area size has to balance increased unloaded travel time between jobs against greater potential utilisation of facilities. A simple mathematical model was derived to enable the necessary calculations to be undertaken. This also produced a measure of “service” for judging the performance of alternative systems.
Jingqin Su and Jing Liu
The purpose of this paper is to explore what critical factors influenced the technological innovation of China's manufacturing enterprises.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore what critical factors influenced the technological innovation of China's manufacturing enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors took CNR Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Company Ltd as a case and used data coding method with ROST CM6.0, including three steps, open coding, axial coding and selective coding.
Findings
The results of the case study suggest that adhering to developing products by themselves is the key factor, huge market demand is the induced factor, technology platform is the supporting factor and technology integration is the strategic factor.
Originality/value
The paper presents four critical factors which influenced technological innovation of China's manufacturing enterprises. In addition, the paper provides Chinese manufacturers with a preliminary framework and some experiences to enable them to practice technological innovation.
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Davood Javanmardi and Mohammad Ali Rezvani
Bearings are critical components used to support loads and facilitate motion for rotating and sliding parts of the machinery. Bearing malfunctions can cause catastrophic failures…
Abstract
Purpose
Bearings are critical components used to support loads and facilitate motion for rotating and sliding parts of the machinery. Bearing malfunctions can cause catastrophic failures. Hence, failure analysis and endeavors to improve bearing performance are essential discussions for worldwide designers, manufacturers and end users of vital machinery. This study aims to investigate a type of roller bearing from the railway industry with premature failures. The task arises because locomotives’ maintenance and service life quality are vital to railway operations while providing transportation services for the nation. To assist in maintaining the designated locomotives, the present study scrutinizes the causes of failure of heavy-duty roller bearings from locomotive bogie axleboxes.
Design/methodology/approach
It is intended to inspect this bearing service life and statistically scrutinize its design parameters to reveal the failures’ shortcomings and origins. The significant measures include examinations of their failures’ primary and vital factors by comparing them with a real-life service history of 16 roller bearings of the same type. The bearings come from the axleboxes of a locomotive bogie with an axle load of 20 tons. The bearing loads are estimated using the EN13104 standard document and confirmed by the finite element method using ABAQUS engineering software. To validate the finite element modeling results, the bearings’ stress analysis is performed using the Hertzian contact theory that demonstrated perfect conformity. The said methods are also used to search for the areas susceptible to failures in these bearings. With the inclusion and exploitation of the bearing maintenance conditions and the logbook recordings of the locomotives for the past seven years, the critical cause for this type of bearing’s failures is surveyed and discussed.
Findings
With the inclusion and exploitation of the bearing maintenance conditions and the logbook recordings of the locomotives for the past seven years, the critical cause for this type of bearing’s failures is surveyed and discussed. As a crucial result, it is found that deprived maintenance and inadequate lubrication are the root causes of the loss of the selected bearings.
Originality/value
For the designated locomotives, the origins of the heavy-duty roller bearing failures and its design shortcomings are revealed by examining and comparing them with a real-life service history of many of the same types of bearings. The novelty of the research is in using the combination of the methods mentioned above and its decent outcome.
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Yan Xia, Yi Wan, Hongwei Wang and Zhanqiang Liu
As the transmission component of a locomotive, the traction gear pair system has a direct effect on the stability and reliability of the whole machine. This paper aims to provide…
Abstract
Purpose
As the transmission component of a locomotive, the traction gear pair system has a direct effect on the stability and reliability of the whole machine. This paper aims to provide a detailed dynamic analysis for the traction system under internal and external excitations by numerical simulation.
Design/methodology/approach
A non-linear dynamic model of locomotive traction gear pair system is proposed, where the comprehensive time-varying meshing stiffness is obtained through the Ishikawa formula method and verified by the energy method, and then the sliding friction excitation is analyzed based on the location of the contact line. Meantime, the adhesion torque is constructed as a function of the adhesion-slip feature between wheelset and rail. Through Runge–Kutta numerical method, the system responses are studied with varying bifurcation parameters consisting of exciting frequency, load fluctuation, gear backlash, error fluctuation and friction coefficient. The dynamic behaviors of the system are analyzed and discussed from bifurcation diagram, time history, spectrum plot, phase portrait, Poincaré map and three-dimensional frequency spectrum.
Findings
The analysis results reveal that as control parameters vary the system experiences complex transition among a diverse range of motion states such as one-periodic, multi-periodic and chaotic motions. Specifically, the significant difference in system bifurcation characteristics can be observed under different adhesion conditions. The suitable gear backlash and error fluctuation can avoid the chaotic motion, and thus, reduce the vibration amplitude of the system. Similarly, the increasing friction coefficient can also suppress the unstable state and improve the stability of the system.
Originality/value
The numerical results may provide a systemic understanding of dynamic characteristics and present some available information to design and optimize the transmission performance of the locomotive traction system.
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M.R. Denning, L.J. Buckley and L.J. Roskill
May 19, 1972 Industrial Relations — Industrial dispute — Emergency provisions — “Irregular industrial action” — Work to rule on railways — “Concerted course of conduct … by a…
Abstract
May 19, 1972 Industrial Relations — Industrial dispute — Emergency provisions — “Irregular industrial action” — Work to rule on railways — “Concerted course of conduct … by a group of workers” — Whether in “breach of their contracts of employment” — Industrial Relations Act, 1971 (c.72), ss. 33(4), 138(1) (2), 139(1) (4), 141(1) (2), 142(1), 143(1) (2). Master and Servant — Contract of service — Effect of railway work to rule disrupting services — Whether in breach of contract — Industrial Relations Act, 1971, s. 33(4).
Carlo Ciccarelli and Stefano Fenoaltea
This paper presents the first annual estimates for the rail-guided vehicles industry in post-Unification Italy. Nationally, maintenance was naturally trend-dominated, while new…
Abstract
This paper presents the first annual estimates for the rail-guided vehicles industry in post-Unification Italy. Nationally, maintenance was naturally trend-dominated, while new construction followed a Kuznets cycle; overall, maintenance exceeded new construction, while freight cars represented the largest component of the latter. The limited production of locomotives over the initial decades seems tied to high raw material costs rather than to technical inadequacy. Regionally, new construction was concentrated in the industrial triangle, and in Campania; maintenance was more widely diffused, as repair work tended to follow local traffic, but it too was largely absent from the swath of mostly Southern regions without major urban centers.
Chongyi Chang, Gang Guo, Wen He and Zhendong Liu
The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of longitudinal forces on extreme-long heavy-haul trains, providing new insights and methods for their design and…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of longitudinal forces on extreme-long heavy-haul trains, providing new insights and methods for their design and operation, thereby enhancing safety, operational efficiency and track system design.
Design/methodology/approach
A longitudinal dynamics simulation model of the super long heavy haul train was established and verified by the braking test data of 30,000 t heavy-haul combination train on the long and steep down grade of Daqing Line. The simulation model was used to analyze the influence of factors on the longitudinal force of super long heavy haul train.
Findings
Under normal conditions, the formation length of extreme-long heavy-haul combined train has a small effect on the maximum longitudinal coupler force under full service braking and emergency braking on the straight line. The slope difference of the long and steep down grade has a great impact on the maximum longitudinal coupler force of the extreme-long heavy-haul trains. Under the condition that the longitudinal force does not exceed the safety limit of 2,250 kN under full service braking at the speed of 60 km/h the maximum allowable slope difference of long and steep down grade for 40,000 t super long heavy-haul combined trains is 13‰, and that of 100,000 t is only 5‰.
Originality/value
The results will provide important theoretical basis and practical guidance for further improving the transportation efficiency and safety of extreme-long heavy-haul trains.
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Minyoung Park, Amelia Regan and Choon-Heon Yang
This paper presents a case study examining the emissions impacts of a modal shift from on-road trucks to rail for goods movement through the Southern California ports region, one…
Abstract
This paper presents a case study examining the emissions impacts of a modal shift from on-road trucks to rail for goods movement through the Southern California ports region, one of the severest non-attainment areas in terms of national air quality standards. Recent completion of the Alameda Corridor, a 20-mile rail expressway that connects the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles with rail mainlines near downtown Los Angeles, provides substantial reserve capacity for port traffic to be diverted from the severely congested road network to the rail line. On-road vehicles emissions were estimated using California mobile-source emissions model, ‘EMFAC’ that incorporates a set of emissions factors for each vehicle type and an estimate of vehicle activity. These emissions were then compared with the emissions generated from trains increased to carry freight volume diverted from truck traffic. On the basis of year 2000 traffic level, it was estimated that for a 20 percent modal shift of port traffic, mobile-source emissions can be reduced up to 0.86 tons for nitrogen oxides and 16 kg for particulate matter per day. The analysis results indicate that encouraging the modal shift for port-related freight traffic should be an integral part of overall air quality improvement initiatives for the study area.
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