International & UK Railway News. Friday 15th March 2013

Siemens

Cities en route to future mobility.

Vienna, 2013-Mar-14

At this year's international public transport fair UITP in Geneva, Switzerland, Siemens will be showing the latest developments for integrated, resource-conserving, economical and convenient urban mass transit: on show will be a power control system for rail power supply, energy-storage systems for catenary-free urban transit systems, solutions for the optimum use of rail infrastructure, an IT-based platform for the planning, booking and invoicing of multimodal travel, plus Europe's first fully electric bus to enter regular service.

Today, demographic change, urbanization and climate change characterize our society and confront us with global challenges. By 2010 more than half of the world's population were already living in conurbations. Here too, the trend is upwards: Experts are working on the assumption that 90 percent of future population growth will be concentrated in cities. Accordingly, private individual travel is expected to increase by some 2.7 billion journeys per day between 2005 and 2025. The effects of continuously growing mobility requirements within and between urban centers are already discernible. Efficient and sustainable mobility is thus the key area of attention for cities and local communities around the world. Efficient mass transit systems are the key to overcoming gridlock, air pollution and lack of parking spaces, and secure the attractiveness and competitiveness of cities across the world.
 

In order to remain mobile into the future too, cities need closely networked transport and information systems. Here, Siemens offers a broad solution portfolio, which it will be presenting in Hall 2 (Stand 2A325) at this year's UITP fair.

Energy-efficient and environmentally sound railway traction power supply solutions

Railway traction power supply systems meet the energy requirements of main-line and passenger services, as well as tram and metro networks. Siemens rail electrification solutions can, for example, transmit recovered braking energy to more remote consumers via medium-voltage grids. The feeding-in of braking energy is also a significant factor in boosting efficiency in the case of energy storage systems.

Siemens will thus be using UITP as a venue for showing its Sitras MES mobile energy storage unit and the hybrid model Sitras HES. Vehicles equipped with these systems require up to 30 percent less energy per year, and emit as much as 80 tonnes less of CO₂ than those without energy storage units. The Sitras HES energy storage unit's hybrid concept combines the advantages of storage technology with the possibilities offered by a traction battery. This enables the realization of environmentally friendly catenary-free short-haul systems that are suitable for integration into every cityscape. Up to 2.5 kilometers of catenary-free operation is possible with the hybrid system.

Attention at the show will also focus on the Vicos RSC power control system, which integrates different Scada (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) applications into a control and monitoring system. As well as an overview of the operating status of the railway traction power supply system, it also offers the possibility of controlling energy consumption in the traction power supply network and of stabilizing operating processes by means of fault and maintenance management.

Siemens is also showcasing the Sitras SCD voltage-limiting device, which is being offered with a mixed-voltage function. This function prevents impermissible voltages occurring in DC railway traction power supply systems if they are influenced by AC systems. The mixed-voltage function meets all requirements in terms of protective measures as laid down in the standard 50122-3, in order to avoid the incidence of impermissible mixed voltages.

Software-based fault management for more capacity on the track

The efficient use of existing rail traffic infrastructures is a challenge for cities throughout the world. With the Siemens Trainguard MT system, the capacity of a metro line can be increased by up to 50 percent while energy consumption is cut by 30 percent. Here too, however, every technical or operational disruption has negative effects on availability and on planned running. Siemens is presenting a software package designed to support rail operators in making the best possible use of all available capacities and resources, and suggests tailor-made solutions for scheduling and maintenance. Decision-making is based on the rail operator's individual operational and business administration performance metrics and the networking of different working areas.

IT platform for the networking of mobility offerings

To meet the growing demand for transport services, there is a need for new and attractive concepts that simplify intermodal travel and make a switch to public mass transit facilities appealing to travelers. At UITP 2013 Siemens will be presenting an "Integrated Mobility Platform", which makes it easier for operators to integrate complementary services into their own offering. With the aid of the platform, bundled offerings can be put together which enable multimodal travel to be planned, booked and paid for via a single platform. Journeys can also be optimized from the environmental and economic perspective. Cities and local communities have available to them new instruments of control for 'green' transport management and better utilization of existing infrastructures.

Fully electric city buses for environmentally friendly short-haul transport

Bus services - whether the traditional city bus or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System - are a cornerstone of urban transport. Due to the absence of an internal combustion process, purely electrically powered vehicles create less noise and no local pollutant emissions. Compared with diesel- or gas-powered buses, fuel consumption is some 25 percent lower, thus contributing to improved air quality and living conditions in conurbations.

Siemens is offering innovative and flexible concepts for fully electric urban buses (eBus), as well as eBRT systems that can be integrated into many vehicle chassis, and are thus manufacturer-neutral. The electric buses it has supplied to Vienna's public transport authority Wiener Linien has made Siemens the first manufacturer in Europe to put fully electric buses into regular urban service. Battery-charging takes place at the terminus and overnight in the depot, via a double pole current collector which uses the existing power network of Wiener Linien. Compared with conventional city buses, the vehicles' electrical equipment brings with it no limitations in terms of space or functionality for passengers and drivers.


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UK Ultraspeed is a completely new ground transport system,designed to link the major cities of Britain at speeds up to 500 km/h (311mph).
UK Ultraspeed uses Transrapid maglev technology, the only ground transport system in the world certified to carry passengers at these speeds.
UK Ultraspeed. 500 km/h ground transport for Britain.
Enhancing Britain's Environment.
Empowering Britain's Economy.
Transforming Britain's Transport.
UK Ultraspeed intends to participate in the Government's procurement competition for North:South high speed transport, which is anticipated towards the end of the current Parliament. The key propositions which underpin the Ultraspeed transport, policy, business and environmental case are contained in the items available for download
HERE

and additional maglev news from...

The International Maglevboard e.V

Japan
Central Japan Railway Co. unveiled the front car of its Series L0 first-generation high-speed magnetic levitation train (Maglev) for commercial service at its test facility in Yamanashi in November 2012. By the end of 2013, the operator will open the extension of the test line at the Yamanashi facility to 42.8 kilometers from the current 18.4 kilometers, making it the longest maglev line in the world.

South KoreaKorea's Urban Maglev Program started in December 2006. The objectives of the program are to develop the competitive urban transit maglev vehicle and to construct a 6.1 km urban maglev Demonstration Line at Incheon International Airport. The revenue service with a fleet of four urban maglev trainsets will begin from September 2013.

China – ShanghaiIn December 2013 the Shanghai Transrapid maglev will have completed 10 years of daily commercial operation.

 ALSTOM

Alstom and Adif sign an agreement to develop the technology for a third rail signaling system

14/03/2013

 

Alstom and Adif - the Spanish railway infrastructure manager - signed an agreement to develop a new third rail signaling system. The project is part of a framework agreement signed by both actors on November 2012 to carry out R&D projects at Adif's Railway Technology Center in Málaga.

The 5-year agreement also covers mixed gauge railway operations - as well as shared expertise and the exchange of information on scientific activities. The partnership aims to develop innovative, value-added solutions based on this signaling system that can later be sold in the domestic and foreign markets.

Continue reading...



International Railway Journal

THE new China Railway Corporation (CRC) has now been launched and China's last railway minister, Mr Sheng Guangzu, has been appointed general manager. This follows the government's to abolish the Ministry of Railways (MOR).

FOLLOWING an extensive judicial review, Britain's High Court today rejected nine of the 10 legal challenges brought against the first phase of High Speed 2 from London to Birmingham and Lichfield.

BRAZILIAN mining giant Vale announced on March 11 that it has suspended a project to develop one of the largest potassium mines in the world in Argentina's Neuquén province..

www.progressiverailroading.com US News

Crude oil: CP-served transload facility to expand in North Dakota; Twin Eagle to market transloading services in Texas

L.A.-area ports pumped up container volumes in February

Sound Transit to solicit public feedback on Tacoma Link expansion

Up-and-down U.S. traffic trend continued in week No. 10

Progressive Railroading seeks rail industry's 'Rising Stars'

LaHood: Crossing, trespassing fatalities are vexing rail safety issues

WMATA sped up capital improvements in late 2012

WTS International reveals annual award winners, names Swaim-Staley 'woman of the year'

 

 

 

www.railway-technology.com Updates....

 

Alstom and Adif to develop new dual-gauge rail signalling system Alstom has signed an agreement with Spanish railway infrastructure manager Adif to develop a third rail signalling system for the Mediterranean Corridor project in Spain. 

      

Systra to oversee design and construction of Kazakhstan high-speed rail line
French consultancy Systra has secured a contract from Kazakhstan's national railway operator, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), to oversee the design and construction of a 1,011km high-speed rail line in the country. 
      
Invensys Rail Dimetronic begins automatic train supervision on Sao Paulo metro Line 8
Invensys Rail Dimetronic has started operating its Rail 9000 automatic train supervision (ATS) system on the São Paulo Metro Line 8 in Brazil, owned and operated by Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (CPTM). 
      
Stadler to deliver 17 trains for four rail companies in Western Switzerland
Stadler Bussnang has received a contract worth a total of CHF150m ($157m) to supply 17 new trains for four Swiss rail companies, including Morges-Bière-Cossonay (MBC), Transports Vallée de Joux Yverdon-les-Bains Ste-Croix SA (TRAVYS), Montreux Oberland Bernois (MOB) and Transports publics fribourgeois (TPF).

See also 

Shedmaster Railway News   
railwaygazette.com reports from the UK: Under-Secretary of State for Transport Simon Burns confirmed on March 15 that there would be ‘no delay’ to the planned High Speed 2 railway between London and the north of England after a series of legal challenges to the project were dismissed at the High Court in London.

World Heritage & Railway News

nrm.org says...
On 27 March 1963, British Railways Board published the report Reshaping Britain’s Railways. It led to the systematic closure of lines and stations, and transformed our railway network. The report was written by the then British Railways Chairman Dr Richard Beeching and the closures became known as the Beeching Axe.
For many, Dr Beeching is a legendary enemy of the railways. His report closed many rural branchlines and left large areas of the country without access to rail transport. Others credit Dr Beeching with saving the bankrupt railways and turning them into a modern business by focusing on developments like InterCity services and the Freightliner initiative.
We're marking 50 years since the publication of Reshaping Britain’s Railways with an exhibition, events and activities that explore the impact of the report and what it meant for our railways past, present and future.

Railway Engineering News

HS2 judicial review the challenges explained.

GOV.UK

Of the 10 broad areas of challenge made against HS2, the court has ruled categorically in the government’s favour on nine of these. The judge:

• dismissed challenges to the fairness and lawfulness of the 2011 consultation on HS2 strategy and the phase one route
• rejected challenges that the government was required to comply with the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive
• dismissed challenges that the government failed to comply with the Habitats Directive
• dismissed the challenge that the hybrid bill process could not comply with the Environmental Assessment Directive
• dismissed the challenge that the government is required to present the environmental impacts of the entire Y network to Parliament alongside the phase one bill
• dismissed challenges that the government has failed to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty
• dismissed challenges that the Secretary of State’s decisions on Euston, the HS1 link, and the Heathrow spur were irrational
• dismissed the challenge that the Secretary of State has fettered his discretion, and predetermined the outcome of future aviation strategy
• dismissed the challenge that the government failed to properly consider the proposed route alternative submitted by the Aylesbury Park Golf Club claimants in response to the 2011 consultation
• upheld the challenge that the consultation process was unfair, because not enough information was provided to consultees and the criteria by which compensation options were considered were not adequately explained - he also found that the government had not fully considered HS2 Action Alliance’s detailed consultation response on compensation.

Related documents

• High court rejects legal challenges to HS2 in landmark victory for the government
• HS2 phase one London to Birmingham

US HSR

High speed rail is on people's minds all across America! Rail ridership is continuing to set records all across the country as more and more Americans come around to the great convenience of rail as a serious form of transportation. More and more people are coming around to this wonderful form of travel. Businesses are seeing the many ways high speed rail can make it easier and cheaper to do business. Young people are taking to rail like never before, with ridership soaring in many regions while driving has peaked and has been on the decline. People of all ages are tired of being stuck in traffic and at airports with delayed flights. They want new options! More real estate developers are coming around to the great value of building communities at rail stations. Hotel chains are looking at future growth potential at rail stations. Package shippers are looking at high speed rail as a cheaper, more efficient way to ship light freight. America wants high speed rail! Polls have shown that 88% of Americans support high speed rail and want it built. Its time for Congress to do their job and listen to the people and properly fund a major national high speed rail network. Instead of continuing to fund outdated declining modes, its time to move into the 21st century with high speed rail across America! Its time to change how we fund transportation to better match demand. Following current trends in transportation, new funding would look like this: -55% of US transportation budget for Amtrak and rail investment -16% of US transportation budget for roads -20% of US transportation budget for aviation USHSR recommends matching our funding focus to transportation demand. More info USHSR PRESIDENT ON HUFFPOST LIVE! HSR: BUSINESS-FRIENDLY TRANSPORTATION Record property sale at new HSR station - Proof of the great value of high speed rail, the highest price ever paid per square foot for a property in San Francisco's history was for a parcel directly adjacent to the new Transbay Transit Center high speed rail station now under construction in downtown San Francisco. USHSR held a tour of this project construction site during the San Francisco HSR conference last year, and had a presentation by the project director Maria Ayerdi-Kaplan. The price paid for the property was $190 million for a 50,000 sq ft site! This will become home to the tallest building on the west coast - a 1,000' tall mixed-use tower right at the new high speed rail station. More info Avis rental car company has announced a commercial partnership with Taiwan high speed rail. Avis recently opened rental locations in a number of Taiwan HSR stations including: Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan and Zouying (Kaohsiung). "Having these new locations in Taiwan is a fulfilment of our commitment to expand our global footprint and improve mobility within Taiwan since Avis launched operations last June. The HSR stations provide convenient pick-up points in Taipei for leisure and business travellers alike," said Avis Budget Group president for Latin America & Asia Pacific, Patric Siniscalchi. More info DC SUMMIT WRAP-UP VIDEO USHSR FEATURED MEMBER Schaefer has set the standard for rugged power converter products with proven designs and quality manufacturing. Custom power converter requirements are analyzed by the Engineering & Sales Teams via in-depth dialog with each customer, so that an individual solution can be developed. Maintaining this unique ability to design in-house and to manufacture in-house generates the highest level of flexibility and results in Schaefer power supplies being a top choice for critical applications, such as Military, Rail & Transit, Alternative Power, and Factory Automation. Schaefer was founded in 1969, and has grown to a dedicated workforce of 140 people in Germany, Ireland, and the USA. With almost 50 years of experience and over 1,000 power custom designed products, you can rely on Schaefer's engineering and manufacturing expertise for your specific application needs. Schaefer can easily optimize our standard products by installing them into custom enclosures, adding meters, switches or any other required functionality. Typically with little or no NRE! Schaefer can be your Engineering Department! From concept to first articles to production, they research and provide testing for thermal analysis, FMECA, Halt, Hass, loop stability/optimization, MTBF, FIT, PDR, and CDR. More information HIGHLIGHTED NEW MEMBER ABB is a world leading independent supplier of innovative and reliable technologies to vehicles manufacturers, railway operators and system integrators. With a comprehensive offering for rolling stock and infrastructure as well as FACTS, network management solutions and SCADA systems, ABB also provides lifetime service support, including maintenance and retrofit. ABB serves in different rail applications ranging from freight through high speed to suburban railways, metros and tramways. ABB helps keep the world moving with new sustainable approaches that enable customers to use energy effectively, creating a low carbon railway industry that operates with maximum efficiency and reliability. As a major player in the power and automation sectors, ABB supplies many technologies that serve the rail industry including low and medium-voltage products, motor drives, traction motors, auxiliary motors , semiconductors, static frequency converters, bordline CC traction converters, auxiliary converts, battery chargers, envistore energy storage system, wayside DC power supplies, automatic grounding switches, turbochargers, network management signaling, control and communication systems, grid systems - static var compensators (SVC), traction transformers, power and distribution transformers, high voltage products, circuit breakers, switchgear, surge arresters, rail solution software, power products and system automation solutions for railway transit and mainline applications. More information USHSR ON THE MOVE... USHSR officials participated by invitation in a special U.S. Department of Transportation forum yesterday to discuss the nation's new high speed rail program. USHSR President Andy Kunz and USHSR Vice President Joseph Shelhorse participated in this high level event at USDOT headquarters in Washington, DC. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood outlined the progress to date on the program. FRA chief Joseph Szabo outlined all the projects that have begun to improve the nation's high speed rail network in multiple corridors. Also participating in the event was Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari, who outlined the job creating benefits of the new rail program. FRA Deputy Karen Hedlund also participated and discussed many of the successes so far. "It was a great visioning event," said USHSR President Andy Kunz. "We are fortunate to have such smart leadership at both USDOT and FRA that truly understand the great benefits high speed rail will bring to America," added Kunz during the event. Earlier this week, USHSR officials also participated in Live, Work, Walk. DC's Future Growth organized by the DC Congress for the New Urbanism. "This interesting event brought together transit oriented developers, rail experts, public officials and others to discuss growing the TOD market in DC and making it a more livable city," said USHSR's Joe Shelhorse following the event. IN THE NEWS... Newly Released Brookings Report - American passenger rail is in the midst of a renaissance. Ridership on Amtrak-the primary U.S. carrier-is now at record levels and growing fast. This research shows that the country's 100 largest metropolitan areas are primarily behind this trend, especially ten major metros responsible for nearly two-thirds of total ridership. More info Findings: Amtrak ridership grew by 55 percent since 1997, faster than other major travel modes, and now carries over 31 million riders annually, an all-time high. The 100 largest metropolitan areas generate nearly 90 percent of Amtrak's ridership, especially those in the Northeast and West. Only ten metropolitan areas are responsible for almost two-thirds of Amtrak ridership. The short distance routes consistently dominate Amtrak ridership share and captured nearly all of Amtrak's recent growth. Combined, Amtrak's short-distance corridors generated a positive operating balance in 2011-while corridors over 400 miles returned a negative operating balance "There's no reason why Europe or China should have the fastest trains!" -President Obama "Thanks to hard work by the folks here at DOT and by our partners--like those in the US High Speed Rail Association--the future of passenger rail in America has never been brighter." -Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood JOIN USHSR TODAY! USHSR membership puts you at the forefront of a new revolution in 21st century, sustainable transportation in America. Be at the center of the action in the new US high seed rail industry, which is about to take off, and will be America's next industrial revolution. There are many opportunities for involvement in the US High Speed Rail Association with different membership levels and categories to choose from. Keep up with the latest information, showcase your firm, find jobs, staff and more. Join today

Our mission is to build widespread public, business, and political support for a major investment in a national high speed rail network.