The Past, Present and Future of High Speed Trains in the U.S.A.

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian T. Scales
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Design Standards ◽  
Planning Stage ◽  
The Past ◽  
Track System ◽  
High Speed Trains ◽  
Emergency Power ◽  
Standards And Regulations

The Paper describes the past, present and future of high speed trains following the passing of the High Speed Ground Transportation Act fifty years ago. In the distant past, electrically-powered Metroliners ran between Washington and New York and Turbo Trains powered by gas turbines ran between Boston and New York on the Northeast Corridor. In the recent past, AEM-7 and HHP-8 electric locomotives supplied by EMD and Alstom respectively for operation with Amfleet railcars also ran on the Northeast Corridor. At the present time, electrically-powered Acela trainsets and ACS-64 electric locomotives supplied by Siemens are in service on the Northeast Corridor. Trains of Horizon and Amfleet railcars hauled by General Electric P-42-DC diesel locomotives operate between Chicago and St. Louis and Chicago and Detroit on the Mid West Regional Rail System. The future consists of two on-going projects that are being implemented, three projects that are in the planning stage and six projects that are in the concept phase. Features to be considered in the design of a high speed train system include: Design Standards and Regulations, Motive Power, Train Configuration, Maximum Axle Load, Dual-Mode Propulsion, Emergency Power, Double Deck Configuration, Jumbo Train Arrangement, Radial Trucks and Hi-Lo Bi-Track System.

scholarly journals A Concept of Integration of a Vactrain Underground Station with the Solidarity Transport Hub Poland

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 5737
Author(s):  
Olena Stryhunivska ◽  
Katarzyna Gdowska ◽  
Rafał Rumin
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Planning Stage ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
Planning And Design ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
High Speed Trains ◽  
Underground Station

This paper provides an analysis of a designed underground station infrastructure for vacuum tube high-speed trains for the planned mega transport hub in Poland. The potential of integrating the infrastructure of the station building with sealed low-pressure tubes system is analyzed. The Solidarity Transport Hub Poland is a planned mega hub to be located in Baranów Municipality, Poland, which is comprised of an airport, an airport city, a road, and railway infrastructure. It is to be integrated with the first route of vactrains in Poland. The aim of this paper is to design a hyperloop station building adequate for the advanced technology of low-pressure high-speed trains. Designing a hyperloop station is not trivial, due to technological aspects which have not been hitherto present in airport or railway planning and design, such as low-pressure zones or airlocks which determine possible passenger paths and evacuation roads. Both the mega airport and Polish hyperloop are in the planning stage, therefore, in this paper, available models and designs of the hyperloop station building and infrastructure are used in order to formulate recommendations for further development and identify critical issues related to the safety and reduction of passenger transit time. The main contribution of this paper is a model of the hyperloop station building which respects the principles of spatial planning and safety standards.

scholarly journals Gas Turbine Drive for New High Speed Trains

1975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf Keller
Keyword(s):  
Diesel Engine ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Electrical Transmission ◽  
Rail Vehicles ◽  
Successful Series ◽  
Exhaust Gas Emission ◽  
High Speed Trains ◽  
The Usa

After numerous tests over the last 40 years, the aircraft gas turbine of two-shaft design has emerged as the most promising power unit for high-powered, fast and lightweight rail vehicles of the future. The performance characteristics, superior to those of the diesel engine, are complemented either by an electrical transmission system or a hydraulic transmission unit. The advantage of the gas turbine lies in its compactness and lightness in weight, allowing a doubling of power and savings in space. Viewed from a commercial standpoint, this means a covering of fuel costs. In respect of noise development and exhaust gas emission, the gas turbine is also more favorable than the diesel engine. The most successful series-built vehicles powered by gas turbines are the turbotrains of the SNCF which have also been imported into the USA where they are to be built under license.

scholarly journals Polygonisation of railway wheels: a critical review

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gongquan Tao ◽  
Zefeng Wen ◽  
Xuesong Jin ◽  
Xiaoxuan Yang
Keyword(s):  
Critical Review ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Natural Vibration ◽  
Ride Comfort ◽  
Railway Vehicle ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Simulation Methods ◽  
Track System ◽  
High Speed Trains ◽  
Railway Wheels

AbstractPolygonisation is a common nonuniform wear phenomenon occurring in railway vehicle wheels and has a severe impact on the vehicle–track system, ride comfort, and lineside residents. This paper first summarizes periodic defects of the wheels, including wheel polygonisation and wheel corrugation, occurring in railways worldwide. Thereafter, the effects of wheel polygonisation on the wheel–rail interaction, noise and vibration, and fatigue failure of the vehicle and track components are reviewed. Based on the different causes, the formation mechanisms of periodic wheel defects are classified into three categories: (1) initial defects of wheels, (2) natural vibration of the vehicle–track system, and (3) thermoelastic instability. In addition, the simulation methods of wheel polygonisation evolution and countermeasures to mitigate wheel polygonisation are presented. Emphasis is given to the characteristics, effects, causes, and solutions of wheel polygonisation in metro vehicles, locomotives, and high-speed trains in China. Finally, the guidance is provided on further understanding the formation mechanisms, monitoring technology, and maintenance criterion of wheel polygonisation.

California's “Fast-Track” to High-Speed Rail

2016 ◽  
pp. 15-32
Author(s):  
Rod Diridon Sr. ◽  
Ben Tripousis
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Fast Track ◽  
State Funding ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Private Partnership ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Us ◽  
High Speed Trains ◽  
Private Investors

For over 50 years, after both public and private studies confirmed California's need for high-speed rail, nothing happened. The rest of the US had a similarly disappointing experience when attempting to break into the rapidly growing family of nations with operating high-speed trains. Yet, over the past year, California has contracted over $2.5 billion in high-speed rail civil work, is preparing RFPs for three times that amount, and has secured commitments for nearly $25 billion in additional federal and state funding over the next 30 years. Private investors are lining up for the nation's first high-speed rail public-private partnership to complete this $68 billion, 540 mile project. This chapter describes the unprecedented technical excellence, political courage, and visionary voter support that created that high-speed rail breakthrough for California and the nation.

California's “Fast-Track” to High-Speed Rail

2020 ◽  
pp. 1013-1026
Author(s):  
Rod Diridon Sr. ◽  
Ben Tripousis
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Fast Track ◽  
State Funding ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Private Partnership ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Us ◽  
High Speed Trains ◽  
Private Investors

For over 50 years, after both public and private studies confirmed California's need for high-speed rail, nothing happened. The rest of the US had a similarly disappointing experience when attempting to break into the rapidly growing family of nations with operating high-speed trains. Yet, over the past year, California has contracted over $2.5 billion in high-speed rail civil work, is preparing RFPs for three times that amount, and has secured commitments for nearly $25 billion in additional federal and state funding over the next 30 years. Private investors are lining up for the nation's first high-speed rail public-private partnership to complete this $68 billion, 540 mile project. This chapter describes the unprecedented technical excellence, political courage, and visionary voter support that created that high-speed rail breakthrough for California and the nation.

Asphalt in trackbed design

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chrysoula Voulgari
Keyword(s):  
Parametric Analysis ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Base Layer ◽  
The Past ◽  
Traffic Loads ◽  
The World ◽  
High Speed Trains ◽  
Induced Stresses ◽  
Resistant Layer ◽  
Potential Use

<p>Conventional all granular trackbed has been in use around the world for many years, presenting good results although requiring a certain level of ongoing maintenance. Increasing traffic loads and volumes and particularly the introduction of high-speed trains in the last few decades, have resulted in the need for new approaches. To reduce train load-induced stresses in the track subgrade, one approach that has been introduced is the use of a Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) layer as a partial or full replacement of the granular sub-ballast.</p><p>During the past few decades the use of HMA as a sub-ballast layer within the track structure has steadily increased until it has become standard practice in many countries around the world (USA, Japan, Germany, Italy etc.). The HMA mix is designed similarly to the base layer of highway pavements. Specifically, it is designed to be a medium modulus, flexible, low voids, fatigue resistant layer that will accommodate high tensile strains without cracking .</p><p>This paper provides a review of the potential use of an asphalt layer to replace the granular sub-ballast during the railway trackbed design.  A literature review of the use of asphalt in trackbed construction and a parametric analysis have been carried out to compare traditional ‘all granular’ and more recent asphalt layer solutions for different subgrade stiffnesses. </p><p>Results indicate various advantages of the use of asphalt in the trackbed; improving trackbed performance and decreasing the overall cost and environmental impact.</p>

scholarly journals Regulation of the Dynamic Live Load Factor for Calculation of Bridge Structures on High-Speed Railway Mainlines

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonid K. Dyachenko ◽  
Andrey V. Benin
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Rolling Stock ◽  
Load Factor ◽  
Live Load ◽  
Bridge Design ◽  
Design Standards ◽  
High Speed Railway ◽  
Artificial Structures ◽  
Railway Traffic ◽  
High Speed Trains

AbstractWhen the high-speed railway traffic is being organized, it becomes necessary to elaborate bridge design standards for high-speed railways (HSR). Methodology of studying the issues of HSR bridge design is based on the comprehensive analysis of domestic research as well as international experience in design, construction and operation of high-speed railways. Serious requirements are imposed on the HSR artificial structures, which raise a number of scientific tasks associated mainly with the issues of the dynamic interaction of the rolling stock and the bridge elements. To ensure safety of traffic and reliability of bridges during the whole period of operation one needs to resolve the dynamic problems of various types of high-speed trains moving along the structures. The article analyses dependences of the magnitude of inertial response on the external stress parameters and proposes a simplified method of determination of the dynamic live load factor caused by the passage of high-speed trains. The usefulness of the given research arises from the reduction of complexity of the complicated dynamic calculations needed to describe a high-speed train travelling along the artificial structures.

scholarly journals Sudden Variation Effect of Aerodynamic Loads and Safety Analysis of Running Trains When Entering Tunnel Under Crosswind

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weichao Yang ◽  
E Deng ◽  
Zhihui Zhu ◽  
Mingfeng Lei ◽  
Chenghua Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Coupling Effect ◽  
Reduction Rate ◽  
Interaction Model ◽  
Train Track ◽  
Wheel Load ◽  
Safety Risk ◽  
Aerodynamic Loads ◽  
Track System ◽  
High Speed Trains

Sudden variation of aerodynamic loads is a potential source of safety accidents of high-speed trains (HSTs). As a follow-up investigation on the aerodynamic response of a HST that enters a tunnel under crosswind environment, this paper focuses on the transient response of a HST’s safety indices based on the train–track coupling interaction model. Firstly, a wind–train–track coupling dynamic model is proposed by introducing transient aerodynamic loads into the vehicle–track system. Secondly, the temporal evolution of safety coefficients indicates that the train’s safety risk increases during tunnel entry with crosswind. Results show that the derailment coefficients and wheel load reduction rate during tunnel entry are not only larger than those in open air, but also those inside the tunnel are due to the sudden disappearance of wind excitation at the tunnel entrance. In addition, the characteristic wind curve, which is the wind velocity against the train speed, is presented for application based on the current specification of the safety criteria threshold. The investigation will be useful in assessing the safety risk of a running train subjected to other aerodynamic attacks, such as the coupling effect of an infrastructure scenario and crosswind in a windy area.

Paper 7: Gas Turbine/Electric Cars in Commuter Service

1969 ◽  
Vol 184 (19) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
W. J. Ronan
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
The Self ◽  
Electric Cars ◽  
The World ◽  
Multiple Unit

The rapid growth of metropolitan areas has created the need for high-speed commuter services around the world. The locomotive-hauled train cannot provide the rapid acceleration and fast braking required to move increasing numbers of people over commutation distances. It is being replaced by the self-propelled or ‘multiple unit’ car. This paper describes research carried out by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, to develop high-speed equipment for commuter services, and deals firstly with electric cars and secondly with a dual powered car taking power from a third rail and also powered by gas turbines. The tests carried out are described and conclusions reached are stated.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document