scholarly journals No Hunting

2001 ◽  
Vol 123 (05) ◽  
pp. 54-57
Author(s):  
Paul Sharke
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Metal Forming ◽  
The United States ◽  
Car Body ◽  
Design Philosophy ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Lateral Forces

This article reviews that wheels riding along parallel tracks have to balance diameters by “hunting.” Hunting wears down both wheels and rails, because a wheel must move sideways to find balance. The wheels, much like a pup chasing the phantom tip of a cropped tail, seek an accord they can never reach. Auto manufacturers might say all that energy used to go toward metal forming of the unwanted variety. American freight lines carry heavier loads than their counterparts in Europe. In Europe, passenger rail exerts more influence over railroad infrastructure than it does in the United States. Abc-Naco designed a variant of its domestic swing motion truck for European rail. Dubbed Axle Motion, the truck incorporates the same design philosophy of decoupling lateral forces from the car body that inspired the swing frame.

Are We There Yet? Perspectives of a Pioneering Visionary

2016 ◽  
pp. 250-261
Author(s):  
Dennis Hodges
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Rail Transportation ◽  
Social Attitude ◽  
Passenger Rail

This chapter addresses a vision of what was, is, and can be. Japan is already 65 years into its passenger rail improvements and modifications. France is just over 35 years and China is eight (8) years into its passenger rail improvements and modifications. Why cannot the United States see the economic and environmental reasons for doing the same in this country? This chapter discusses that and more. The author has attempted to parcel out the whys, what's and where's as to how the United States became so parochial when it comes to passenger rail transportation; why it is so reticent towards moving forward, and what can be done to change the current political and social attitude and climate.

Benefits Forgone

2016 ◽  
pp. 53-80
Author(s):  
Eric C. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Actual Cost ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Feasible Option ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Rail Service ◽  
Practical Constraints

By conservative, reliable, objective, and preliminary estimates, the United States could generate at least $660 million annually – $26.4 billion over four decades – by building and operating faster, more frequent, more dependable, and more highly integrated passenger rail service in four corridors: The Northeast; the Chicago Hub; California; and the Northwest. Numerous studies by a variety of national and international organizations and government agencies suggest that the actual cost of building and/or improving passenger rail service lines is significantly less than the cost per mile of other modal alternatives. In fact, in many corridors, passenger rail is the only feasible option for adding capacity, given the practical constraints facing aviation and highway expansion. Further, by integrating improved, higher speed intercity passenger rail service into the existing transportation system, major issues of congestion, mobility and economic inequality can be addressed.

Benefits Forgone

2018 ◽  
pp. 95-116
Author(s):  
Eric C. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Actual Cost ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Feasible Option ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Rail Service ◽  
Practical Constraints

By conservative, reliable, objective, and preliminary estimates, the United States could generate at least $660 million annually – $26.4 billion over four decades – by building and operating faster, more frequent, more dependable, and more highly integrated passenger rail service in four corridors: The Northeast; the Chicago Hub; California; and the Northwest. Numerous studies by a variety of national and international organizations and government agencies suggest that the actual cost of building and/or improving passenger rail service lines is significantly less than the cost per mile of other modal alternatives. In fact, in many corridors, passenger rail is the only feasible option for adding capacity, given the practical constraints facing aviation and highway expansion. Further, by integrating improved, higher speed intercity passenger rail service into the existing transportation system, major issues of congestion, mobility and economic inequality can be addressed.

The Impact of Sheet Metal Stamping on Manufacturing and Economic Growth of the United States in the Early 20th Century

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent J. Vohnout
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Economic Growth ◽  
Metal Forming ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Value Added ◽  
The United States ◽  
Material Loss ◽  
Sheet Rolling ◽  
Sheet Stamping ◽  
The Impact

A vast array of manufactured articles containing metal components utilize power press methods in their production. The common aspect of these methods is the use of specialized dies and the mechanical energy of the press machine to impart the required finished shape with a minimum of time and material loss. The innovation of power press metal forming methods in conjunction with advances in sheet rolling technology can be credited with a significant portion of the United States economic growth from manufacturing between 1890 and 1940. Of the many variations of power press metal forming processes that now exist, sheet stamping is found to be the most significant to the economic development of the U.S. as a synergetic partner of the new automobile industry. Data from the 1929 Census of Manufactures is used to generate a Social Savings metric which estimates the effect of the use of sheet stamping in terms productivity gained. The estimated Social Savings of this very small sector of manufacturing represents a tenth of one percent of the total Value Added by all U.S. industries in 1929.

Quantitative causal analysis of mainline passenger train accidents in the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 234 (8) ◽  
pp. 869-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen-Yu Lin ◽  
Mohd Rapik Saat ◽  
Christopher PL Barkan
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
The United States ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Passenger Train ◽  
Track Geometry ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Accident Rates ◽  
Major Factors

The need for shared freight and passenger rail corridors in the United States is increasing due to the growing demand for regional and intercity passenger transport. Several researches have been conducted on reducing the risk of freight train accidents, but little research has been done on the risk of passenger train accidents. The accident rates of passenger trains have declined in the past two decades; however, faster and more frequent passenger train services require even higher safety standards, and therefore further reduction to the risk of passenger train accidents is needed. The research presented in this paper analyzed the passenger train accidents in the United States using the Federal Railroad Administration train accident database to understand the trend of passenger train accident rates, the frequency and severity of different types of accidents, and to explore the major factors that cause them. Derailments and collisions were identified as the most significant types of passenger train accidents, and track failures and human factors, respectively, were the primary causes of those accidents. Accidents caused due to human factors and train operations such as train speed violations and failure to obey signals are often high-consequence accidents and therefore pose the greatest risk. Higher risk infrastructure-related factors include track geometry defects and broken rails or welds. This study on passenger train accidents provides a solid foundation for further research on improving the safety of passenger rail and shared-use rail corridors.

Are We There Yet?

2018 ◽  
pp. 1057-1065
Author(s):  
Dennis Hodges
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Rail Transportation ◽  
Social Attitude ◽  
Passenger Rail

This chapter addresses a vision of what was, is, and can be. Japan is already 65 years into its passenger rail improvements and modifications. France is just over 35 years and China is eight (8) years into its passenger rail improvements and modifications. Why cannot the United States see the economic and environmental reasons for doing the same in this country? This chapter discusses that and more. The author has attempted to parcel out the whys, what's and where's as to how the United States became so parochial when it comes to passenger rail transportation; why it is so reticent towards moving forward, and what can be done to change the current political and social attitude and climate.

What the Railroad Industry Needs and Expects from Higher Education

2013 ◽  
Vol 2328 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasi T. Lautala
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
The United States ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
University Education ◽  
Rail Transportation ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Industry Needs

Rail transportation and engineering education in the United States was neglected for decades, from a lack of demand for graduates in the field. However, the increase in freight rail transportation volumes, combined with a growing interest in passenger rail development, has reenergized the academic community. Currently, several universities are either investigating or implementing rail-related activities. Because of the long disconnect between the industry and academia, several challenges have arisen about what the rail industry needs and wants from graduates and universities. Challenges include the quantitative and qualitative demands placed on graduates by the industry as well as industry preference for types of education and the perceived benefits from university education and university–industry collaboration. The educational background of current industry employees and its importance to their career selection are also of interest. This paper reports the outcomes of two online surveys of industry employees to bring light to the aforementioned points. More than 1,000 industry employees participated in the surveys that were conducted in 2006 and 2010. The second survey was conducted as part of a collaborative study between the United States and the European Union, allowing direct comparison of opinions between the U.S. and international workforce.

scholarly journals Cost-Effective, Time-Efficient Passenger Rail System for the Eastern United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
James Mathias ◽  
Dal Hyung Kim
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Transportation Network ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Rail System ◽  
The Government ◽  
Ticket Prices

A program was developed using a genetic algorithm and automated lookup features to design an efficient passenger rail system for the eastern-half of the United States connecting large cities, metropolitan populations greater than two million, with overnight rail service. The results of the program predicted a passenger starting at the farthest point of the system boards the train at 16:02 on average and arrives at a different point of the system at 07:57 on average the following day, assuming the train travels an average speed of 70 mph. The design used actual distances by train track where possible. The system was modeled with six trains that meet at a hub and exchange passengers and continue on to their destination. The optimal solution had a total one-way minimum distance of 4334 km (2693 miles). Assuming the same ridership that currently exists on a popular train route, ticket prices would average $62 (USD) for a one-way ticket. For this system to be feasible, the government would need to own or lease one set of tracks for all the routes determined, build a hub for passengers to transfer trains near Charleston, WV, and ensure the trains are unimpeded by other trains. Installing tracks that go around cities that the trains do not stop at would be a great benefit also. With advances in communication, GPS, and train control technology, this article points out the benefits of publically available tracks to form a transportation network similar to that found in road, air, and water traffic.

When is High-Speed Rail Fast Enough?

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth G. Sislak
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Hampton Roads ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Rail Service

The vision for high-speed rail in America includes corridors that are “emerging” as candidates for investment in passenger rail service improvements including increasing maximum authorized speeds to 90 and 110 mph. Will increasing speeds up to 110 mph be cost effective in terms of attracting new riders? This paper will explore the results of studies examining incremental capital costs and the marginal ridership and revenue increases in the Richmond – Hampton Roads passenger rail project and other current emerging high-speed rail corridors throughout the United States.

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