scholarly journals Improving the Maintenance of Railway Switches through Proactive Approach

Electronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1260
Author(s):  
Gregor Papa ◽  
Špela Poklukar ◽  
Attila Frankó ◽  
Alberto Sillitti ◽  
Aleš Kancilija ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Technical Equipment ◽  
Use Case ◽  
Proactive Approach ◽  
Railroad Tracks ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Decision Cycle ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Strong Necessity

A strong necessity for faster mass transport with high capacities and frequent runs has put pressure on railway infrastructure. These changes require an improvement in the maintenance activities that need to be planned carefully to reduce as much as possible their impacts on the actual use of the infrastructure. As a consequence, it is crucial to continuously monitor the technical equipment of the railroad tracks in the most efficient way. Railway switches operate in harsh environmental conditions. However, their reliability requirements are high due to safety and economic factors. Their maintenance depends on the data collected and the decisions on due corrective actions. The more frequent the data collection, the shorter the decision cycle; and the more intuitive the data visualization, the better the confidence in the system. This paper presents some tangible results, where the MANTIS concepts were applied to the use-case of railway switches to introduce continuous monitoring and proactive maintenance of the railroad tracks. The presented results include the measurement method; the analysis of the measured data; the profiling and modelling of the physical behaviour of the switch, including the recognized need to have separate models per season; and the visualization of the gathered data.

Tracking development with Baby CROINC: The interplay of parent experience, usage, and technology approach (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayelet Ben-Sasson ◽  
Eli Ben-Sasson ◽  
Kayla Jacobs ◽  
Rotem Malinovitch
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Screening ◽  
Technology Competence ◽  
Proactive Approach ◽  
Crowd Wisdom ◽  
System P ◽  
Parent Experience ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Perceived Usability ◽  
Crowd Intelligence

BACKGROUND To lower barriers to developmental screening, we designed Baby CROINC (CROwd INtelligence Curation), a digital platform to help parents track and assess their children’s development through crowd wisdom. OBJECTIVE To understand users’ experiences using Baby CROINC in relation to users’ technological competence and attitudes, while considering the influence of their children’s presented developmental evaluations and parents’ actual use of the system. METHODS Mothers of 260 children (M age= 17.6 months, SD=13.7) used Baby CROINC for two weeks. They entered developmental milestones on their children’s developmental diary timeline and received statistical developmental percentile reports. Mothers then completed Usability and Technology Profile Questionnaires. RESULTS Mothers’ experiences of the Baby CROINC system usability were associated with their attitudes toward solving technological problems, mediated by frequency of engagement in Internet activities. Mothers with a proactive approach toward solving technology problems, engage in a wide range of Internet activities, and/or view the Internet as integral to their lives had a better experience with Baby CROINC than mothers who did not. The system’s perceived usability was not associated with the crowd-based child developmental percentiles or quantity of mothers’ usage of the system. CONCLUSIONS Parent’s user experiences correlate with their technology competence and problem solving attitude but is not correlated with their child’s developmental status. Developmental screening platforms need to solve the tension between requiring active engagement and encouraging proactive parenting.

Practical Use and Effects of Scope Reductions in the Form of Reduction Lists

2018 ◽  
pp. 326-344
Author(s):  
Andreas Økland ◽  
Nils O. E. Olsson
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Public Projects ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Scope Management ◽  
Public Construction ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Assurance Scheme ◽  
Quality Assurance Scheme

Scope management in the form of reduction lists was integrated in the quality assurance scheme for Norwegian public projects in 2001. This article presents findings on the actual use of reduction lists for major public construction projects Project representatives were contacted to obtain information about the actual use of pre-defined potential scope reductions. Eight of the 14 studied projects did not implement any of the predefined reductions. Six projects implemented some of the reductions. The scope reductions on the reduction lists are very specific and detailed, unlike general theory on scope management and cost control. However, the findings from the study are in line with the general theory; it was the most general scope and cost reductions that where used in practice. The study subsequently looked into the relationship between scope reductions and sustainability. Although the most frequently observed reduction was of the category “reduced quality or functionality”, sustainability was rarely affected with the notable exception of the railway infrastructure projects.

scholarly journals Outcome among patients suffering from in-hospital cardiac arrest

2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 170-177
Author(s):  
Sladjana Trpkovic ◽  
Aleksandar Pavlovic ◽  
Vesna Bumbasirevic ◽  
Ana Sekulic ◽  
Biljana Milicic
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Medical Emergency Team ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Hospital Treatment ◽  
Time Of Arrival ◽  
Technical Equipment ◽  
Emergency Team ◽  
Factors Associated

Introduction. In relation to pre-hospital treatment of patients with cardiac arrest (CA) in the field where resuscitation is often started by nonprofessionals, resuscitation in hospital is most commonly performed by well-trained personnel. Objective. The aim was to define the factors associated with an improved outcome among patients suffering from the inhospital CA (IHCA). Methods. The prospective study included a total of 100 patients in the Emergency Center over two-year period. The patterns by the Utstein-Style guidelines recorded the following: age, sex, reason for hospital admission, comorbidity, cause and origin of CA, continuous monitoring, time of arrival of the medical emergency team and time of delivery of the first defibrillation shock (DC). Results. Most patients (61%) had cardiac etiology. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved in 58% of patients. ROSC was more frequently achieved in younger patients (57.69?11.37), (p<0.05), non-surgical patients (76.1%), (p<0.01) and in patients who were in continuous monitoring (66.7%) (p<0.05). The outcome of CPR was significantly better in patients who received advanced life support (ALS) (76.6%) (p<0.01). Time until the delivery of the first DC shock was significantly shorter in patients who achieved ROSC (1.67?1.13 min), (p<0.01). A total of 5% of IHCA patients survived to hospital discharge. Conclusion. In our study, the outcome of CPR was better in patients who were younger and with non-surgical diseases, which are prognostic factors that we cannot control. Factors associated with better outcome of IHCA patients were: continuous monitoring, shorter time until the delivery of the first DC and ALS. This means that better education of medical staff, better organization and up-to-dated technical equipment are needed.

Clientelism, Constituency Services, and Elections in Muslim Societies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Corstange ◽  
Erin York
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Public Goods ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Muslim World ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Use Case ◽  
Public Goods Provision ◽  
Successful Strategy ◽  
Electoral Support ◽  
Cross National

This chapter examines the prevalence and implications of clientelism and patronage in elections in Muslim societies. The authors use cross-national evidence to show that, while clientelism is common in the Muslim world, its presence is linked more to political and economic factors than to cultural attributes. They use case evidence from within the Arab world to examine the use of clientelism in practice, and find that this linkage strategy is especially advantageous for ruling parties, but also disadvantages poor and rural communities with its transactional nature and poor public goods provision. Finally, the authors argue that clientelism is not the only successful strategy for vote-seeking politicians, even in patronage-oriented settings, as political outsiders successfully use institutionalized constituency service to attract electoral support.

scholarly journals The Continuous Monitoring of Selected Railway Structures using the Autonomous Data Logger

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-96
Author(s):  
Dusan Janostik ◽  
Viktor Nohal ◽  
Herbert Seelmann ◽  
Jaroslav Smutny
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
The Other ◽  
Measuring System ◽  
Dynamic Parameters ◽  
Data Logger ◽  
Line Managers ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Railway Line ◽  
Railway Infrastructure

This contribution focuses on issue of the autonomous monitoring of selected dynamic parameters of the railway lines test sections under conditions in the Czech Republic. Description of the possibilities of such data collection, including the designed hardware and software, is a part of this contribution. At the same time, the contribution describes application of such a measuring system, comparing the selected dynamic parameters of the two types of switches, the first one was a switch with a standard fastening node, the other one with an elasticized fastening node. Recommendations and conclusions of railway infrastructure manufacturers and railway line managers are parts of this contribution, as well.

A System for Noise Control of the Technical Condition of Railroad Bridges and Tunnels in Seismically Active Regions

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 237-245
Author(s):  
T. A. Aliev ◽  
T. A. Babayev ◽  
T. A. Alizada ◽  
N. E. Rzayeva ◽  
E. E. Alibayli
Keyword(s):  
Active Regions ◽  
Technical Condition ◽  
Rolling Stock ◽  
Continuous Control ◽  
Technical Equipment ◽  
Vibration Signals ◽  
Railroad Tracks ◽  
Useful Signal ◽  
Rail Infrastructure ◽  
The Impact

The authors analyze the technical condition of objects of railroad communications with modern bridges, tunnels, stations, overpasses, crossings and power installations. It is noted that, based on the specific features of such objects, control of their technical condition in most cases is carried out at certain intervals. At the same time, existing continuous control systems do not always adequately assess the technical condition of rail infrastructure objects due to the presence of additional noises in the processed signals at the time when a malfunction occurs. In this regard, one of the possible options is proposed for "continuous" monitoring of the beginning of changes in the technical condition of railroad tracks by means of noise technologies. It is pointed out that when the technical condition of rail infrastructure changes, vibration signals caused by the impact of rolling stock contain noises in addition to the useful component. The use of correlation and spectral analysis technologies, as well as other traditional methods does not allow ensuring the adequacy of the control results, due to the influence of the noise on useful vibration signals. Therefore, technologies are proposed for split analysis of the useful signal and the noise received from vibration, as well as for forming informative attributes of identification of the technical condition of rail infrastructure. In this case, the estimates of the characteristics of the useful signal and the noise are used as the main carrier of diagnostic information. Due to the simplicity and reliability of the developed theoretical algorithms, the implementation of the technical equipment and its installation in all objects of the railroad track present no particular difficulties. At the same time, the implementation of the Noise system will ensure real-time control of the beginning of changes in the technical condition of railroad tracks during the movement of the rolling stock. This, in turn, will allow timely detection of malfunctions, significantly enhancing the safety of passenger and cargo rail transportation.

scholarly journals Actual utilisation of maximum line speed - Polish and Ukrainian experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 294 ◽  
pp. 04001
Author(s):  
Andrzej Massel
Keyword(s):  
Rolling Stock ◽  
Technical Equipment ◽  
Correlation Ratio ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Line Speed ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
Research Show ◽  
Selection Of

The overall condition of the Polish railway infrastructure has been recently improved. The condition of railway infrastructure and the level of its technical equipment are reflected in the maximum train speeds allowed on particular sections of railway lines. The analysis covers the utilisation of the maximum line speed by the long-distance trains in Poland in the 2018/2019 timetable. The database has been prepared, covering start-to-stop runs of Express Intercity Premium (EIP) trains). The analysis shows that typical value of speed utilisation ratio for EIP trains operated with ED250 EMU is approximately 0.82-0.83. The correlation ratio between the average maximum line speed and the train commercial (startto-stop) speed is rather good. The data from the Polish railways have been compared with Ukrainian ones. The results of the research show clearly, that the selection of passenger rolling stock for particular route can have significant impact on its day-to-day operation.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF UKRAINIAN PRE-PORT RAILWAY STATIONS

2021 ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
O. CHERNOVA ◽  
R. VERNYHORA ◽  
A. OKOROKOV ◽  
A. KIMAN
Keyword(s):  
Effective Interaction ◽  
Throughput Capacity ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Technical Equipment ◽  
Technological Parameters ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Sea Transport ◽  
Railway Stations ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Low Efficiency

Purpose. The aim of the work is a comprehensive analysis of the technical and technological parameters of pre-port railway stations in Ukraine as key elements of the port infrastructure, ensuring the interaction of railway transport with seaports. Methodology. In the process of research, the methods of analysis and synthesis were used to study the content and the main provisions of scientific publications on the issues of establishing effective interaction between rail and sea transport,  with their subsequent comparison and generalization; methods of statistical analysis for research and systematization of technical equipment of port stations. Results. More than 60% of export cargoes go through Ukrainian ports; while 75% of export volumes are delivered to ports by rail. Currently, due to changes in the conditions for the functioning of the economy and the transport system of Ukraine, there is an imbalance between the capacities of ports and the port railway infrastructure for processing freight flows. Based on the analysis, it was found that the throughput of most stations does not correspond to the prospective, and for some stations - and the actual, volumes of work. In particular, for some stations, the capacity of track development is insufficient; a significant problem is also the low efficiency of the shunting means. An effective way to solve the problem of reducing the imbalance in the processing capacity of ports and the pre-port railway infrastructure is public-private partnership in the implementation of appropriate investment projects, the assessment of which should be carried out using modern scientific approaches. Scientific novelty. The authors have systematized the existing technical equipment of the port stations of Ukraine from the point of view of its sufficiency to ensure the existing and prospective volumes of transportation. Practical significance. The results obtained make it possible to provide a scientific basis for further research into assessing the throughput capacity of pre-port railway stations and the effectiveness of infrastructure projects aimed at increasing it.

scholarly journals RESTORATION OF RAILWAY TRANSPORT IN KUBAN DURING THE POSTOCCUPATIONAL PERIOD OF 1943

2017 ◽  
pp. 100-105
Author(s):  
I. Y. Zakharova
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Railway Transport ◽  
Socialist Republic ◽  
Soviet Socialist Republic ◽  
Krasnodar Krai ◽  
Railroad Workers ◽  
Railroad Tracks ◽  
Transport Component ◽  
Railway Infrastructure ◽  
Regional Committee

In article restoration of railway infrastructure after release of the territory of Krasnodar Krai from the German occupation is considered. The author determined scales of corruptings of a transport component, the reasons requiring the immediate organization of operations for restoration of railway transport are established. Exposures from the minutes of regional committee of the All-Union Communist Party (bolsheviks), reports of the persons responsible for carrying out recovery work in which periods and the directions and actions for repair of railroad tracks, bridges, stations are marked are given in article; shortcomings are specified and the reasons of lowering of rates of operations are established. In article launch of the first trains in the territory of Krasnodar Krai, after release from the German invaders is chronologically considered. Importance and efficiency of reviewing of the questions connected to supplies of equipment and building materials, restoration of the Tikhoretsk locomotive-repair plant evacuated in Tbilisi is shown. The author showed heroic work of the population on restoration of railway communication in the territory of Kuban: in July, 1943 community work days in which families of railroad workers, collective farmers, citizens participated are organized. Dedicated work allowed branch to quit on the advanced boundaries on rates of restoration. In the documents provided in article difficult material living conditions in which there were railroad workers were marked. This problem was solved due to the brotherly help of the Transcaucasian federal republics (The Georgian SSR, the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Azerbaijani SSR). Deliveries of suits, linen, mittens, women’s and men’s shoes were realized.

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