Railway Research (developed by UIC)

April 2013

François Maugère — 2013-04-25T10:27:41Z

Sustainable development has become the hottest buzzword around the world during the last decade and railway has brought much more attention as efficient transport with low environmental impacts. Countries in the far eastern Asia, China, Korea and Japan, are no exception for that. Railway has been the backbone of the national transportation network for these three countries for a long time and its role is ever increasing as a future sustainable transport mode.

Japan has been the leader of railway research for a long time. Entering into 21th century China and Korea are becoming the fastest follower in this area with the help of rapidly growing railway industry. The three countries agreed on that it is necessary to exchange information related to railway research and development undertaken in order to adapt to rapidly changing environment.

In August 2000 research institutes representing the three countries, China Academy of Railway Science (CARS), Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI), and Railway Technical Research Institute of Japan (RTRI RTRI Railway Technical Research Institute of Japan ) signed a memorandum on the launching of the China-Korea-Japan Railway Research Technical Meeting with the aim of implementing effective and efficient technical interchange among 3 organizations.

At that time, it was agreed that a seminar should be held annually in one of the three counties in rotation for the presentation of the results of join studies. The first seminar was held at KRRI, Korea in 2001. Every year, each organization shares research items to be performed jointly. With the partner's or partners' consent, each research item should be formalized as a bilateral or trilateral collaborative research item.
Collaborative research items deal with almost every aspect of railroad, e.g., ‘Abrasion Mechanism of Wheel/Rail Contact', ‘Floating Precast Concrete Slab Track', ‘Application of IT Technologies to Maintenance Work of Railway Facilities', and ‘Strategy of Improving Operation Efficiency of Railway Transportation in East Asia'
Period of a collaborative research is usually 1 or 2 years. Participants of each item exchange their ideas and opinions through e-mail, conference calls or physical meetings. The progress of the research is presented at the annual Technical Meeting.

The number of collaborative research items per year is approximately 10.
Annual Technical Meeting consists of 2 or 3 days program, including presentations of collaborative research items, researchers meeting with similar research interest, technical tour and introduction of research trends of each institution or country.
The three institutes are trying to continue the cooperation to maintain their status as leading railway research institutes and hoping to extend it to the global level.

September 2012

Aymeric Boniou — 2013-04-04T09:05:51Z

Abstract

EU-Russia Rail Research Workshop will take place in Moscow on 16-17 October 2012. The decision to hold it was the result of a series of meetings and negotiations between the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission and JSC Railway Research Institute – JSC "VNIIZhT VNIIZhT All-Russian Railway Research Institute ", which is the largest railway research organisation both in the Russian Federation and the whole 1520 mm system.[...]

October 2012

Aymeric Boniou — 2013-04-04T09:05:49Z

Abstract

The Spanish Railways Technological Platform (PTFE) is an industry-led tool at the service of the railway sector, set up to define a “long-term vision” and the “Strategic Research Agenda”, with the aim of achieving the scientific and technological advances required to ensure the competitiveness, sustainability and growth of the Spanish railway sector.[...]

November 2012

Aymeric Boniou — 2013-04-04T09:05:47Z

Abstract
Marking a year since the November 2011 launch, the first RRUKA annual conference was held at the Royal Society in London on Wednesday, 7 November 2012.
With seventeen research presentations that showed the diversity of subjects being investigated, three stimulating keynote addresses and four compelling industry case studies, it was certainly an action-packed day which proved to be a great (...)

- Topic of the month

December 2012

Aymeric Boniou — 2013-04-04T09:05:46Z

Abstract

The inaugural UIC UIC International Union of Railways Innovation and Railway Research Awards were held in Paris on 11 December, during celebrations to mark the 90th anniversary of the International Union of Railways (UIC).[...

January 2013

Aymeric Boniou — 2013-04-04T09:05:45Z

Abstract
Presentation of the Research and Development priorities of the Railway Technical Research Institute in Japan for 2013.

- Topic of the month

February 2013

Aymeric Boniou — 2013-04-04T09:05:44Z

Abstract

Thirty wheels with vertical split rim (VSR) or broken flange failures were recently analyzed by Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI TTCI Association of American Railroads - USA ) for microcleanliness and residual hoop stress state as part of the Association of American Railroads' (AAR AAR Association of American Railways ) Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI) Program to prevent wheel failures.[...]

March 2013

Aymeric Boniou — 2013-04-04T09:05:42Z

Abstract

In this study, crashworthiness assessment and suggestions for the modification of a railroad passenger car are presented.[...]

Edito

François Maugère — 2013-04-04T08:33:25Z

Madam, Sir, dear colleagues,

The aim of research and innovation is to improve the railways in all respects for the benefit of all. Based on technological advances and innovations, the rail sector shall develop integrated, greener, smarter and safer rail transport systems that respect the environment and natural resources, and further develop the competitiveness of the sector in the global transport market.

The purpose of the International Rail Research Board (IRRB IRRB International Rail Research Board ) is to identify common problems and research & innovation needs, to exchange information, best practices and develop common research projects and solutions in order to drive the railway sector into adopting state-of-the art technologies.

Since 2005, the Board has become a platform for sharing output on important common transport related research themes, with investigation into how best to harness the potential of such research for the benefit of UIC UIC International Union of Railways members worldwide, through closer cooperation, building knowledge bridges between continents and exploring opportunities for global scale research funding / resources.

In its Strategic Document published on December 2011, the IRRB decided to support research and innovation among others through the establishment of the “Red Book of Railway Transport” listing railway transport challenges requiring scientific solutions.

Facing the market needs for modern and efficient transport technologies, railway research can no longer afford to take a random course. The efforts of research organisations and IRRB members should therefore focus on addressing key regional and global issues in railway transport.
Through this Red Book of Railway Transport, the IRRB has started to rank the core challenges to be met by the rail transport over the next decades. An intricate method for prioritisation has been built in cooperation among major railway research centres, under the auspices of IRRB.

The classification method is used to rank world level technical and technological problems in order to prioritise as well as to classify problems according to their impact on the main objectives of railways: economic efficiency and safety.

Finally, at a time when the global economy is mobilising to provide sustainable solutions to the current economic crisis; research, innovation and standardisation are key instruments for the global rail sector to be of added value in the future.

A strong global rail sector is essential to sustainable mobility in a low-carbon society, to support economic growth and social cohesion, and people's expectations of mobility, both in freight and passenger services.

In this second issue of the IRRB Newsletter your will find information about IRRB's members' expertise and activities all contributing to our common goal of developing and promoting the global railway system.

Mr. Boris LAPIDUS, IRRB Chairman

TTCI's 18th Annual Railroad Research Review draws over 500 attendees

François Maugère — 2013-04-04T08:33:24Z

Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI TTCI Association of American Railroads - USA ) held its 18th Annual Research Review March 5-6, in Pueblo, Colorado, USA, on the Development of Technology Driven Solutions to Improve Safety and Efficiency of the Railways.

Over 550 railroad researchers, students, and suppliers from the U.S. and 14 other countries, attended the 2-day event, which consisted of formal presentations, poster sessions, workshops, and on-track demonstrations of the latest work in the areas of equipment and track technology solutions, including automated inspection of track and equipment using machine vision technologies. The AAR AAR Association of American Railways Research Review included 18 presentations, four panel discussions led by Class I executives and numerous poster sessions in the lobby adjacent to the meeting salon.

TTCI TTCI Association of American Railroads - USA holds the annual event to disseminate the latest research results to the industry at large. The forum is available to all railroads, suppliers, consultants, and research organizations worldwide to receive the latest technology developments under the Association of American Railroads' Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI) Program.

TTCI engineers presented up to date results from the SRI program on the first day of the event held at the Pueblo Convention Center, and on the second day attendees reviewed static displays of research projects and observed on-track demonstrations installed on the 2.7-mile Heavy Tonnage Loop at the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing. This year's workshop subjects were on improved rail materials and rail welding methods and rolling contact fatigue of wheel/rail systems.

“This year's successful event again shows the continued commitment of the industry to advance railroad technology by solving problems in an effort to boost safety, performance, and efficiency of our railroads”, said TTCI Senior Vice President Semih Kalay.

Additional information is available on our web site at www.ttci.aar.com.