All articles from the Railway Reports available on this website are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Issue No. 200, 2023
Editorial
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1. Longitudinal Sectioning of Overhead Contact Lines in Stations on Single-Track Lines
Damian DRATWA
Pages: 139-151
Summary. The length of standard gauge rail lines under the management of PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. is 18,522.503 km, including 11,940.509 km of electrifi ed lines. In order to ensure reliable power supply to the electric traction, as well as to ensure that work can be carried out when the voltage on the overhead contact lines is switched off or as a result of a breakdown, sectioning is used. By electrically sectioning the overhead contact line, specifi c sections of it can be switched off. The impact on station capacity as a result of a power outage in the overhead contact line depends on how the sectioning is performed. Th is performance is not strictly defi ned in the case of stations on single-track lines, where the sectioning of the overhead contact line is done in diff erent ways. The article analyses the impact of longitudinal sectioning on the possibility of running trains by electric traction, using the example of two sections of single-track railroad lines No. 15 and No. 16.
Keywords: overhead contact line, longitudinal sectioning, station capacity, track closures, maintenance of overhead contact line
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2. Factors Determining the Development of Rail Passenger and Freight Transport on the Example of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship
Marek GRAFF
Pages: 153-170
Summary. The availability of EU funds for the modernization of infrastructure, including railways (infrastructure renovations and rolling stock purchases) has led the local authorities of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship to acquire diesel-powered rolling stock initially and later electric, too. Renovations of the railway network are – on the one hand – carried out by the infrastructure owner Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PLK), which is managed centrally, and – on the other hand – more complicated due to costs as well as legal and procedural issues (the need to comply with EU law). Thus, for example, the modernization of LK 91 Kraków – Rzeszów only began in 2011; for comparison, the first diesel vehicles were purchased by the Marshal’s Office of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship in Rzeszów in 2004, and electric vehicles in 2013. As more vehicles were acquired (by mid-2023 the number – including those ordered – was 49) and the infrastructure was renovated. Th en it was decided to launch a Suburban Agglomeration Railway (PKA), connecting Rzeszów with towns located up to 50 km from the capital of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship via the existing railway infrastructure. A comprehensive modernization of Rzeszów Główny Station is underway now including renovation of the station building. Also, due to the proximity of the border with Ukraine, the modernization of the eastbound railway lines and border stations of PLK and UZ (1435 + 1520 mm) started a few years ago. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, they proved to be much needed given the need to transport refugees and international aid to Ukraine.
Keywords: Podkarpackie Voivodeship, PLK, PKA (Suburban Railway in Podkarpacie), Jasionka Airport
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3. Basic Variants of the Analytical Method of Designing Track Geometric Layouts
Władysław KOC
Pages: 171-185
Summary. The article presents (and extends) the basic assumptions of the analytical method for designing track geometric layouts. The individual elements of the layout (straight sections, circular arcs and transition curves) are described using mathematical equations and connected with each other while maintaining the condition of tangent compliance. The method covers various design cases: asymmetrical case, with transition curves of the same type and the same length, an asymmetrical case, resulting from diff erent types and lengths of transition curves, as well as methods of designing compound and reverse curves. The work presents a detailed design procedure for the typical, most common case in which the transition curves are symmetrical in relation to the circular arc. Two basic variants diff ering in the location of the local coordinate system are considered. In the standard (universal) variant, the location of the beginning of the system in the PL-2000 system is not known and is determined only in the final phase of the procedure. Due to this, some interpretation problems may arise. In the case of a symmetrical geometric layout, these diffi culties can be avoided thanks to the introduced modifi cation consisting of locating the origin of the local coordinate system at the intersection of two main directions of the route. The article presents computational algorithms for both discussed variants. The benefits of the introduced modifi cation are illustrated by the presented computational examples.
Keywords railroad, analytical design method, modifi cation of the local coordinate system, calculation algorithm, sample geometric layouts
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4. Key Issues Related to Permanent Way in the Work of Professor Henryk Bałuch
Andrzej MASSEL
Pages: 187-191
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5. Overview of the Areas of the Railway Research Institute Activities
Marek PAWLIK
Pages: 193-207
Summary: Railway transport employs mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, electrotechnical, relay, and electronic programmable solutions, as well as hydraulic, optical and laser-based solutions for the construction and everyday exploitation of various infrastructure and rolling stock functionalities and for supporting and documenting both operation and maintenance. The safe and reliable operation of railways depends, to a significant extent, on the proper interaction of the various technical and procedural solutions. It is based on normative documents, approval procedures and rules regarding handling technical, operational and organisational changes. The article presents the railway system’s technical complexity as well as types and formal constraints of the normative and legal documents defining technical and procedural requirements, using both of them as a background for showing the Railway Research Institute’s areas of activities from technical competencies and research facilities used in approval processes to involvement in the development of normative documents.
Keywords: railway infrastructure, railway rolling stock, approval processes, normative documents
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6. Environmental Impacts of High-Speed Rail. Part 1: Acoustic Impacts
Krzysztof POLAK
Pages: 209-216
Summary: The article discusses issues related to acoustic impacts generated by high-speed railways. It indicates the most important legal regulations concerning noise in railway transport and characterises the main sources of noise generated by highspeed railway lines. It attempts to determine the negative acoustic impact on various elements of the environment during the construction, operation and decommissioning of a high-speed railways. Furthermore, it also outlines the most frequently applied solutions to minimise this impact.
Keywords: noise, acoustic impact, high-speed railway, environmental impact of high-speed railway
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7. Electrical Endurance of DC Switching Devices
Artur ROJEK
Pages: 217-227
Summary: The article focuses on the electrical endurance testing of direct current switching devices, such as high speed circuit breakers, switch disconnectors and contactors. It presents the normative requirements for these tests and provides sample results obtained during testing conducted in the electrical laboratory of the Department of Electrical Power Engineering at the Railway Research Institute. The most commonly tested switching devices have nominal voltages of 900, 1800, and 3600 V DC, with nominal currents of up to 6.5 kA. The article also discusses phenomena and hazards that may occur during electrical endurance testing.
Keywords: electrical endurance, high speed circuit breaker, switch disconnector, contactor, DC breaking
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8. Change of the Electric Traction Power Supply System in Poland From 3 kV DC to 25 kV AC
Artur ROJEK
Pages: 229-241
Summary: The article compares the 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC railway electric traction power supply systems. Both systems were characterised, including their requirements in terms of power supply to traction substations, system losses and the influence of the choice of system on the parameters of railway traffic.
Keywords: electric traction power supply system, 3 kV DC system, 25 kV AC system, energy losses, catenary
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9. Research Issues Regarding the Impact of a Rolling Stock on a Trackside Train Detection Systems Devices
Łukasz ZAWADKA, Dominik ADAMSKI
Pages: 243-249
Summary: The paper characterises the operation and basic components of track occupancy devices that are currently used on the PKP PLK S.A. network. Furthermore research methods of measurement of railway vehicles impact on track circuits and axle counter systems as well as wheel set axle impedance measurement that are performed in Railway Research Institute were described. Examples of measurement results were presented for each of the described methods.
Keywords: track circuits, axle counters, interference, magnetic fields, EMC
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10. Aerodynamic Phenomena Caused by the Passage of a Train. Part 6: Other Infl uences. Summary of Series
Andrzej Zbieć
Pages: 251-257
Summary: This series of articles describes the aerodynamic phenomena caused by the passage of a train, characterising the effects that a train running at high speed has on itself, other trains, trackside objects and people. This impact can be of two types − generated pressure and slipstream. Apart from the literature analysis, the author’s research is also taken into account. The sixth part of the series describes mixed aerodynamic impacts on people, as well as other types of impacts, and summarises the entire series.
Keywords: rolling stock, high speed railways, aerodynamic phenomena
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All articles from the Railway Reports available on this website are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Issue No. 179, 2018
Editorial
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1. Accreditation of Calibration Procedures for Specialised Measuring Instruments Utilized in Railway Transport; Selected Issues
Klaudia Bednaruk
Pages: 7-11
Summary: The paper presents issues associated with the calibration and supervision of railway specific measuring instruments. It starts with considerations regarding the benefits associated with the measuring instruments calibration, especially regarding calibration performed by accredited laboratories. Attention is paid to the importance of maintaining traceability and keeping knowledge about measuring instruments’ errors in the context of railway transport safety. It analyses why the number of metrological laboratories offering accredited calibration of railway specific instruments in Poland is insufficient. The paper makes use of the experience of the Railway Institute Metrological Laboratory. In particular, it uses experience gained in 2017 during the accreditation of AC resistance measurements, which are utilized for accredited measurements of the resistance of slippers with fastening systems, wheel wear profile measurements with analogue callipers, buffer centre line height over rails running surface measurements and wheel tread diameter measurements based on two contact-points.
Keywords: calibration, accreditation, measuring instruments
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2. ICT in the Polish Railway Industry
Stanisław Gago
Pages: 13-19
Summary: The article intends to discuss the impact of the development of IT and logistics systems on the development of ICT networks in the context of practical application in the area of transport, especially in the area of railway transport in Poland. At present, PKP PLK is involved in the construction of a teletransmission network, to be used mainly with ERTMS. Ac-cording to the author, development of the network should be planned in such a way that this network is able to satisfy the current and future needs of all railway companies in the area of data transmission, making it possible for such railway companies to extend their range of ICT services to include other forms of transport. Systems of railway traffic control should be established within a physically isolated fibre-optic network (isolated fibres in fibre-optic cables).
Keywords: Broadband ICT networks, 5G technologies, ICT in the railway industry, Internet of Things (IoT), Physical Internet (PI)
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3. The Analysis of Selected Issues of Signalling System Selection for a Railway Line with Set Railway Service and Traffic Parameter
Magdalena Kycko, Wiesław Zabłocki
Pages: 21-26
Summary: One of the essential elements of the railway transport modernization in Poland is the implementation of modern systems of interoperable ERTMS / ETCS (European Rail Traffic Management System / European Train Control System) fulfilling the tasks and functions of CCS (control-command and signalling) systems. The investment process including the implementation of ERTMS / ETCS requires prior development of a number of documents, which include feasibility study, terms of reference, a description of the contract and many others. The initiation of the investment process is preceded by a series of activities including the evaluation and selection of the right target railway traffic control system for the selected railway line. Due to the interoperability requirements, it becomes necessary to develop methods for assessment of the possible ERTMS / ETCS configurations and later selection of a configuration for a railway line with predefined service and traffic parameters. The aim of the publication is to present a concept that can be considered as the basis for methods of analysis and rail control traffic system selection. The sample line, which was selected to carry out research and analysis, is a section of the selected railway line section of the railway line No. 7 due to its strategic location and traffic load.
Keywords: system, rail traffic control, ERTMS/ETC
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4. The Central Polish Airport in the Rail Transport System
Agata Pomykała
Pages: 27-35
Summary: The implementation of a multi-faceted undertaking related to the preparation, construction and commissioning of the Central Polish Airport (CPK) requires efficient transport. The selected location – 30 km from Warsaw, near Grodzisk Mazowiecki, where there already is a large concentration of transport routes and high speed railway lines are planned for construction – will facilitate the completion of this project. The article presents the transport environment of the CPK, the significant conditions and the capabilities in terms of transporting passengers to and from the airport by rail, including the division into metropolitan area and regional traffic and considering long-distance traffic, as well. One of the key requirements for the success of the project will be integrating the airport with the regional, national and international railway networks.
Keywords: railway transport, airport, transport system, integration
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5. The Accessibility of Transport as an Economic Category
Zdzisław Wojdygowski
Pages: 37-48
Summary: This article attempts to organize concepts, classifications and methods of measurement, as well as to identify the factors affecting the accessibility of transport. The available reference literature does not offer a uniform, clear and unambiguous definition of transport accessibility. Due to the necessity for a change in the direction of transport policy in relation to the development of transport, the need for a more precise interpretation of transport accessibility, essential to research or practice, has been emphasized herein. The accessibility of transport as an economic category is placed in the areas of both the supply of services and transportation needs. The importance of the issue of transport accessibility stems from the role played by transport – an area of crucial importance in ensuring economic growth of the country. The passenger transport market in Poland is an example of the significance of the linear and nodal transport infrastructure as a factor determining the quality of transport accessibility. There is also emphasis on the necessity for a gradual modernization of the transport infrastructure with the aim of improving the level of services to guarantee that the quality-related needs of today’s customers are met.
Keywords: transport accessibility, transport infrastructure, railway infrastructure
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6. Tests of Running Safety Under Large Compressive Longitudinal Forces
Andrzej Zbieć
Pages: 49-57
Summary: The article presents the cause of derailment of empty two-axle wagons placed in long freight train-sets together with bogie wagons, as well as research conducted to prevent this phenomenon, which was concluded by introducing appropriate statements in the UIC leaflet 530-2, and then in the European Standard EN 15839. It also presents activities undertaken during the preparation and performance of the tests, requirements for the test track and for the wagons’ composition in the train-set, conditions during the tests, values being measured and respective evaluation criteria, principles applicable to the result analysis, as well as a sample chart for a single ride and regressions for various criterions. Examples of wagons which were tested in this way are also given.
Keywords: running safety; reverse shunting test; longitudinal forces
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