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Infrastructures
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Railway in the City (RiC)
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Railway in the City (RiC)

A special issue of Infrastructures (ISSN 2412-3811).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 10172

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Maciej Kruszyna

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Roads, Bridges, Railways and Airports, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: mobility; public transport; exclusion and accessibility

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban railways play or should play an essential role in agglomerations as the main means of transport connecting the core with the surroundings. Significant numbers of lines, journeys, and seats can affect the choice of means of transport. This creates environmentally friendly travel. Analyzing the use of suburban railways should consider two main aspects: (a) rail operations and (b) cooperation in the transport system. An urban railway works similarly to all other railways. It is slightly closer to metro systems due to high frequency while being unlike long-distance rail due to higher-stop density and lower speeds. It is important to create appropriate infrastructure for urban railways. It should meet the above conditions, but also create an environmentally friendly neighborhood. The city affects the infrastructure (e.g., by imposing tunnels or viaducts), but also the infrastructure shapes the environment. Railway infrastructure also affects the behavior of travelers. Stations, stops, their location, accessibility and connections with other means of transport are important factors when making transport decisions. Rail creates large facilities (e.g., main terminals, multi-modal hubs) but can also be integrated in a sustainable way into lower-class streets or pedestrian zones.

We will study all the aspects mentioned above in the proposed Special Issue. I would like to invite you to contribute to “Railway in the City (RiC)”, to be published in MDPI’s journal Infrastructures.

This Special Issue would encompass, but is not limited to, the following emerging topics:

  • Modelling of city railway systems;
  • Planning of the new routes for the city railway;
  • City railway in the integrated systems; 
  • Managing and optimizing the railway operations; 
  • Hubs and accessibility; 
  • Railway and environment; 
  • Special objects such as tunnels or viaducts; 
  • Behaviors of travelers.

Dr. Maciej Kruszyna
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Infrastructures is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • city railway
  • integrated public transport
  • new routes and stations
  • railway operations
  • hubs
  • accessibility
  • railway and environment
  • tunnels
  • viaducts
  • travel behaviors
  • mobility
  • sustainable transport
  • case studies
  • reviews

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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31 pages, 10417 KiB  
Article
Stresses in Saturated and Unsaturated Subgrade Layer Induced by Railway Track Vibration
by Mohammed Y. Fattah, Qutaiba G. Majeed and Hasan H. Joni
Infrastructures 2024, 9(4), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9040064 - 25 Mar 2024
Viewed by 816
Abstract
The theoretical and practical studies of the cyclic loads resulting from the movement and passage of trains on the unsaturated subgrade to determine the effect of the degree of saturation and moisture content on the foundations and infrastructure of the railway lines, especially [...] Read more.
The theoretical and practical studies of the cyclic loads resulting from the movement and passage of trains on the unsaturated subgrade to determine the effect of the degree of saturation and moisture content on the foundations and infrastructure of the railway lines, especially the settlement in the railway lines as a result of the development of the train loads. Thirty-six laboratory experiments were carried out using models that simulate a railway with nearly half the scale of the real one, using an iron box of (1.5 × 1.0 × 1.0) meters and a layer of clay soil with a thickness of 0.5 m representing the base layer, were constructed inside it. Above it, there is a layer of crushed stone representing a 0.2 m thick ballast, topped by a rail line of 0.8 m long installed on three sleeper beams with dimensions of 0.9 m (0.1 × 0.1 m). The subgrade layer has been constructed at different saturation degrees as follows: 100, 80, 70, and 60%. The tests were carried out using different load amplitudes and frequencies. These experiments investigated the effect of the subgrade degree of saturation on the value of the stresses generated on the surface and the middle (vertical and lateral stresses) and the settlement of the subgrade. In the case of unsaturated subgrade soil, an increase in load frequency has a clear effect on increasing the generated stresses in the subgrade layer, especially with lower saturation levels. However, the results and measurements of these experiments found that the load frequency almost had no effect on the values of the stresses generated on the surface and inside the subgrade layer with a 100% degree of saturation. The results of the investigation demonstrated that, while load frequency had a minimal effect on track-panel settlement, it increased with the load amplitude and subgrade soil saturation degree. The change of settlement of the track panel with the number of cycles has a high rate at the beginning; after a while from that, it decreases gradually until, after some value of the number of cycles, the settlement changes at a very low rate and gradually. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))
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15 pages, 3460 KiB  
Article
The Concept of a Universal Tram Driver Console with Interchangeable Panels for a Polish Tram Simulator
by Artur Kierzkowski, Łukasz Wolniewicz, Algimantas Danilevičius, Ewa Mardeusz, Maciej Kin, Łukasz Bakinowski, Dawid Barabasz and Przemysław Wielkopolan
Infrastructures 2024, 9(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9030041 - 24 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1243
Abstract
This paper presents a concept for a universal tram driver console that has been developed based on research results regarding the review of tram control panels. These efforts were carried out as part of the project “Innovative training system for tram drivers, based [...] Read more.
This paper presents a concept for a universal tram driver console that has been developed based on research results regarding the review of tram control panels. These efforts were carried out as part of the project “Innovative training system for tram drivers, based on a full-cab simulator with the application of cognitive science” POIR.01.01.01-00-0135/22, with funding from the Smart Growth Operational Programme. This project involves the development of a tram driver training system based on a full-cabin tram simulator mounted on a motion platform, integrated with eye-tracking technologies and skin conductance response analysis for tram drivers’ assessment. The presented research results regarding the development of a universal control panel structure for a tram simulator have led to the creation of a panel based on interchangeable panels. The arrangement of individual switches was determined based on the identification, selection, critical evaluation, and analysis of data from current solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))
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19 pages, 1112 KiB  
Article
A Generic Component for Analytic Hierarchy Process-Based Decision Support and Its Application for Postindustrial Area Management
by Marcin Michalak, Jacek Bagiński, Andrzej Białas, Artur Kozłowski and Marek Sikora
Infrastructures 2024, 9(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9010002 - 20 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1484
Abstract
This paper presents a generic component for Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-based decision support in risk management. The component was originally dedicated to railway transportation issues; however, its generality enabled it to extend its functionality for other domains too. To show the generality of [...] Read more.
This paper presents a generic component for Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-based decision support in risk management. The component was originally dedicated to railway transportation issues; however, its generality enabled it to extend its functionality for other domains too. To show the generality of the module and possibility of its application in other domains, an environmental case was run. Its goal was to select methods for planning the post-mining heap revitalization process, especially decision-making focusing on the selection of the most advantageous revitalization option on the basis of the Analytic Hierarchy Process and different, non-financial factors, e.g., social, environmental, technological, political, etc. Taking into account expert responses, the suggested solution was related to energy production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))
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23 pages, 9394 KiB  
Article
Improvements in Urban Rapid Transit Boarding and Alighting Safety during System Modernization
by Igor Gisterek and Adam Hyliński
Infrastructures 2023, 8(12), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures8120179 - 15 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1804
Abstract
Urban rail transport has advantages that determine its particular usefulness. However, despite decades of technical development, it is still difficult to speak about satisfactory solutions. Safe, independent access to this transport and public infrastructure for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) is an essential [...] Read more.
Urban rail transport has advantages that determine its particular usefulness. However, despite decades of technical development, it is still difficult to speak about satisfactory solutions. Safe, independent access to this transport and public infrastructure for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) is an essential element of civil rights and an interesting subject of scientific research. In relation to that, the interface between rail vehicle and platform, despite multiple efforts aiming at improving this situation, is one of the hardest problems to overcome. This paper presents a summary and analyses of distinctive features of selected transit systems that are interesting from the viewpoint of finding various solutions to improve the safety of passengers on platforms. This analysis led to preparation of a new, improved standard of the vehicle–platform interface, illustrated with an example of the city of Wrocław, as discussed further in this paper. Some of the main conclusions of this paper are that insufficient progress has been made with developing the vehicle–platform interface, there are a multitude of systems and ways of (more or less effectively) ensuring independent access for PRM, and further research and development work is needed to optimize engineering solutions in this domain so they are both sustainable and economical. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))
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21 pages, 2232 KiB  
Article
Evaluation Methodology of the Railway Stations Using the AHP Method in the Transport Hubs from the Freight Transport Point of View
by Adrián Šperka, Juraj Čamaj, Milan Dedík and Zdenka Bulková
Infrastructures 2023, 8(12), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures8120177 - 10 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1556
Abstract
Currently, it is necessary to support not only public passenger transport at the expense of individual car transport but also to ensure the modal split of goods from road transport to railway transport. Moreover, it is important to modernize the railway infrastructure, especially [...] Read more.
Currently, it is necessary to support not only public passenger transport at the expense of individual car transport but also to ensure the modal split of goods from road transport to railway transport. Moreover, it is important to modernize the railway infrastructure, especially hubs and other important railway stations in important settlements and big cities. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly invest in railway lines as well as railway stations. The contribution deals with the determination of the methodology for the evaluation of railway stations in freight transport based on current scientific publications and the AHP method. Its main goal is to determine the size of the peak on the network-railway station on the infrastructure manager’s railway network. One of the benefits is the subsequent determination of the next procedure from the given peak in terms of operation, considering the economic complexity of the entire procedure. The methodology is preceded by an extensive analysis of input data in Slovakia and abroad. This methodology defines the parameters or factors that influence decisions for a particular railway freight station. Subsequently, based on the proposed methodology, a practical application is also developed, within which four railway stations on the ŽSR network are evaluated. In a broader sense, the contribution also points to improving the quality of railway infrastructure in cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))
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Review

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13 pages, 505 KiB  
Review
The Potential Role of Railway Stations and Public Transport Nodes in the Development of “15-Minute Cities”
by Michał Wolański
Infrastructures 2023, 8(10), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures8100141 - 05 Oct 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2104
Abstract
In 2016, Carlos Moreno proposed the concept of “15-minute cities” based on the principles of proximity, diversity, density, and ubiquity. In fact, he re-formulated (“re-invented”) some of the already existing planning principles, making them recognized and desired by non-professionals. Moreno, however, paid little [...] Read more.
In 2016, Carlos Moreno proposed the concept of “15-minute cities” based on the principles of proximity, diversity, density, and ubiquity. In fact, he re-formulated (“re-invented”) some of the already existing planning principles, making them recognized and desired by non-professionals. Moreno, however, paid little attention to the external connectivity of neighborhoods, assuming that most needs would be satisfied locally. This paper aims to discuss the concept of “15-minute cities” from the transport planning point of view and investigate how the concept can contribute to such planning. The research review conducted in this paper suggests that similar actions in the past caused a modal shift from the use of cars to public transport, rather than a radical limitation of total transport needs. To simplify, if a neighborhood is well designed, people are more likely to walk, ride a bike, and use public transport, but the majority will still commute outside of the neighborhood for work. In the metropolis of the ideal “15-minute city”, Barcelona, the majority of the inhabitants travel to work either by car or public transport, which proves that they need to move outside the neighborhood. This leads us to the conclusions that (1) “15-minute cities” should incorporate the transit-oriented development concept and include public transport nodes, such as railways or underground stations, as the central point of walkable, multifunctional neighborhoods, and (2) railway/underground station planners should pay more attention to the creation of a proper mix of services at and around the stations according to “15-minute cities” principles. In the future, there should also be more emphasis on re-allocating workplaces to neighborhoods, as well as on researching the actual impact of the (improved and current) “15-minute cities” design on transport volumes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))
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