Railway Capacity Management

10 Questions

What is a key benefit of current HEVs regarding battery recharging?

They eliminate the need for an external charger

What is a major challenge in reducing vehicle weight to improve efficiency?

Compromised passenger safety

What advanced material is being used in newer vehicles to reduce weight?

High-strength, lightweight aluminum

How can wind resistance be decreased in vehicles?

By redesigning the body to a more aerodynamic shape

What allows some of the vehicle's kinetic energy to be recaptured as electricity?

Regenerative braking system

What is expected to emerge in the next 10 years regarding vehicle propulsion systems?

A significant shift towards partial or complete electrification

What is a way to improve fuel economy and emissions characteristics of vehicles?

Using advanced components that reduce friction

What is a method to decrease resistance in vehicles?

Decreasing resistance from drag and friction

What is a type of vehicle that uses a regenerative braking system?

All electric vehicles, including hybrids and fuel cell vehicles

What is expected to lead the market in the next 10 years?

Internal combustion engines

Study Notes

Railway Capacity

Used Capacity: actual traffic volume over the network, usually lower than practical capacity
Practical Capacity: around 60-75% of theoretical capacity
Available Capacity: difference between Used Capacity and Practical Capacity, indicating additional trains that can be handled by the network

Railway Operation Result

Operating Days: actual data
Km.Train Run: actual data (North Ave - Taft), 16.9 km
Train Km: Km Train Run x No. of Trip
Car Km: Km Train Run x No. of Car
Revenue: actual data or (Fare Rate / Km) x (Pax.Km)
Seat-Km Offering: Train Cap. x Train Km
No. of Pax: actual data or (Pax./Km) x (Ave. Distance Travelled/Pax)
Pax./Km: LF x Seat-Km Off. or No. of Pax x Avg. Distance Travelled
Load Factor: Pax-Km/Seat-Km Off. Ave. Distance Travelled
Avg. Distance Travelled: (Revenue/Pax)/Fare Rate

Railway Capacity Analysis

Synthetic and analytical methods: use mathematical formulae to describe capacity constraints
Asynchronous methods: model dynamic scheduling processes using discontinuous events
Synchronous methods (traffic simulation): reproduce railway operation processes over time, providing values close to reality
OpenTrack: a railway network simulation program for capacity estimation and analysis
RailSys: a software system for analysis, planning, and optimization of railway operations
Rail Traffic Controller (RTC): a Windows-based program for simulating train movement through rail networks

Railway Structure

Track carrying structures: bridges, trestles, viaducts, culverts, scales, inspection pits, unloading pits
Ancillary structures: drainage structures, retaining walls, tunnels, snow sheds, repair shops, loading docks, passenger stations, fueling facilities, towers, catenary frames

Operations Management

Operations management: managing business operations to ensure efficiency and product delivery
Functions: product design, forecasting, supply chain management, delivery management
Ideal skills: organizational abilities, coordination, people skills, tech-savviness

Vehicle Technologies

Electric vehicles (EVs): powered by electric motors, using batteries charged through central charging stations or portable chargers
Issues: cost, infrastructure, performance
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs): combine electric motor and battery pack with internal combustion engine
Plug-in hybrid vehicles: allow for external charging
Fuel cell vehicles: use hydrogen as fuel

Ways for Improvement

Component technologies: advanced components reduce friction, decrease vehicle weight, and improve system efficiency
Lightweight materials: reduce vehicle weight without compromising passenger safety
Decreased resistance: reduce wind resistance through aerodynamic design and regenerative braking systems