Impact of Spatial Filtering on the Least Cost Path Method

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 32-44
Author(s):  
Amy E. Rock ◽  
Amanda Mullett ◽  
Saad Algharib ◽  
Jared Schaffer ◽  
Jay Lee
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Least Cost Path ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Highway Infrastructure ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
The Face ◽  
Cost Paths ◽  
Cost Factors

In the face of renewed interest in High-Speed Rail (HSR) projects, Ohio is one of several states seeking federal funding to relieve pressure on aging, overburdened highway infrastructure by constructing passenger rail routes between major cities. This paper evaluates the creation of a new rail route in Ohio’s 3-C Corridor utilizing GIS. The authors consider two primary cost factors in construction, slope and land cover, to generate alternative least-cost paths. To assess the importance of the cost factors, two separate paths are created using two different weighting methods for the land cover layer. The land cover is weighted first by difficulty of construction, and second by relative acquisition costs. These two paths are then compared against a path selected by the Ohio Hub Project which uses existing track lines, advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed.

Impact of Spatial Filtering on the Least Cost Path Method

2012 ◽  
pp. 239-252
Author(s):  
Amy E. Rock ◽  
Amanda Mullett ◽  
Saad Algharib ◽  
Jared Schaffer ◽  
Jay Lee
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Least Cost Path ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Highway Infrastructure ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
The Face ◽  
Cost Paths ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Factors

In the face of renewed interest in High-Speed Rail (HSR) projects, Ohio is one of several states seeking federal funding to relieve pressure on aging, overburdened highway infrastructure by constructing passenger rail routes between major cities. This paper evaluates the creation of a new rail route in Ohio’s 3-C Corridor utilizing GIS. The authors consider two primary cost factors in construction, slope and land cover, to generate alternative least-cost paths. To assess the importance of the cost factors, two separate paths are created using two different weighting methods for the land cover layer. The land cover is weighted first by difficulty of construction, and second by relative acquisition costs. These two paths are then compared against a path selected by the Ohio Hub Project which uses existing track lines, advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed.

Variations in the Landscape Along the High-Speed Rail Route

2022 ◽  
pp. 44-62
Author(s):  
José Cabezas ◽  
José Manuel Naranjo ◽  
Francisco Jesús Moral ◽  
Patricia Bratos
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Transport System ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Transport Activity ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Corine Land Cover ◽  
Land Cover Data ◽  
Linear Infrastructures

The development carried out in the last decades is degrading the ecosystems, damaging the existing biodiversity. One of the elements that is having the most impact on the deterioration of natural areas is the construction of transport infrastructures, among which are high-speed routes. These linear infrastructures are contributing to the deterioration of biodiversity enclaves, which contribute to providing highly relevant ecosystem services. Among these deteriorations are the processes of fragmentation and alteration of the landscape. This chapter analyses a situation that occurs in Spanish territory related to high-speed railways. This transport system began in Spain on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition of Seville 1992. By this transport activity, the changes suffered in the landscape are calculated and analysed through Corine land cover data since its inception until the last report of 2018.

scholarly journals A Grey-BPNN Model for Evaluating the Competitiveness of Chinese Contractors in the High-Speed Rail Market in Europe

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Yi-Hsin Lin ◽  
Biling Shi ◽  
Po-Han Chen ◽  
Zhao Xu ◽  
Huimin Liu
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Rolling Stock ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Management Ability ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Grey Relational ◽  
Technology Level ◽  
Bpnn Model

With the planning and progress of the construction of the trans-Eurasian high-speed rail (HSR) network, it becomes an important issue for Chinese contractors to enter the European HSR market. Facing the world’s most competitive contractors and their high technology levels, Chinese contractors will need to know their advantages and disadvantages, so as to make necessary improvements. In this study, contractors for HSR are divided into two groups: construction contractors and rail equipment suppliers. In order to evaluate the competitiveness of HSR contractors, a Grey-BPNN model that combines the grey relational analysis and backpropagation neural network (BPNN) is proposed. The Grey-BPNN model is expected to analyze the overall competitiveness of Chinese contractors in the European HSR market and provide informative decision support for them. The study results show the following: (1) in the field of HSR construction, the competitiveness gap between the top-tier Chinese contractors and the most competitive international contractors is small. Chinese contractors’ competitive advantages lie in medium- and low-technology-level projects, with a strong development potential. However, they highly depend on Chinese domestic market and lack in intangible resources, like management ability and market development ability; (2) for rail equipment suppliers, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) ranks among the top-tier leaders of the international market. CRRC’s greatest competitor in the European HSR market is Siemens, and CRRC is much more competitive than others in the sustainable development capability. However, CRRC needs to increase the quantity of patents and Research and Development (R&D) expenditures in transportation. As a weak transportation patent holder, CRRC has a potential risk of getting intellectual property litigations in the European HSR market.

The Altamont Corridor Rail Project Joint Use Corridor

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent D. Ogden
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Northern California ◽  
San Jose ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Union Pacific ◽  
Separated Operation

The Altamont Rail Corridor Project will develop a new dedicated regional passenger rail link within Northern California for joint use by regional intercity and commuter trains connecting between the northern San Joaquin Valley and the Bay Area as well as statewide intercity trains fully compatible with the 200+ mph system being developed by the California High-Speed Rail Authority (the Authority). The corridor, which follows portions of the transcontinental railway, is presently served by the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) operated by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (the Commission) and is eligible to receive California High-Speed Rail bond funds. The Authority and Commission have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop the project which will greatly improve the existing service by providing a new dedicated passenger line separate from the Union Pacific Railroad over which the current ACE service operates. The strategic geographic location of the corridor within the Northern California network allows operation of a wide variety of services through Altamont Pass including commuter trains to the Bay Area, intercity corridor trains and regional intercity trains between Sacramento and San Jose` with the possibility that high-speed “bullet” trains from the statewide network could ultimately operate along the route. Although the shared-use potential broadens interest in the project, concomitant planning challenges include identifying workable, cost-effective solutions to incrementally develop the 80+ mile corridor over time while migrating the service presently provided by standard heavyweight diesel locomotive-drawn consists to a fully electrified, grade separated operation capable of supporting operation of 220+ mph lightweight trainsets.

A Comprehensive Framework for Assessing Passenger Rail Services: A Case Study of the Hoosier State Line

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Dimitra Pyrialakou ◽  
Konstantina (Nadia) Gkritza
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Rail Services

The development of a nationwide commuter and high-speed rail (HSR) network has been suggested as a promising and “greener” passenger transport solution with the potential to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, given efficient planning that will ensure sufficient ridership and sustainable investment. It is anticipated that passenger rail growth will bring regional economic benefits as well as promote energy independence, transportation safety, and livable communities with improved accessibility and inter-connectivity. Much research has been conducted to identify the benefits and costs associated with the operation, maintenance, and improvement of passenger rail services. However, previous studies supporting investment in passenger rail have generally considered one evaluation factor at a time. Additionally, studies suggesting that investment in passenger rail is not cost-effective give more weight to quantifiable benefits and current conditions, and rarely consider changes in public preferences influenced by policies and fostered conditions to encourage mode shifts. Thus, the literature lacks a comprehensive approach that would evaluate investments in passenger rail, accounting for quantifiable and other benefits, in light of environmental, resilience and sustainability, economic, demand, and feasibility factors. Using a case study of the Hoosier State line, this study illustrates a systems approach for comprehensively assessing passenger rail services in the United States in terms of the system’s existing opportunities and future directions. The Hoosier State line operates four days per week between Indianapolis, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois with four intermediate stops. As of October 1, 2013, the State of Indiana, local communities, and Amtrak reached an agreement to support the Hoosier State line for the next fiscal year (2013–2014).

High Speed Rail: Track Construction Considerations

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blaine O. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Rolling Stock ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Track Geometry ◽  
Slab Track ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Construction Methods ◽  
Track System ◽  
Ballasted Track

This paper discusses general High Speed Rail (HSR) track geometry, construction and maintenance practices and tolerances. The discussion will reference several key international projects and highlight different construction methods and the track geometry assessments used to establish and ensure serviceability of a typical HSR system. Historically, established tighter tolerances of “Express” HSR (i.e. operating speeds greater than 240 km/h or 150 mph) systems have favored the use of slab track systems over ballasted track systems. Slab track systems offer greater inherent stability while ballasted track systems generally require more frequent track geometry assessments and anomaly-correcting surfacing operations. The decisions related to which system to use for a given application involve numerous considerations discussed only briefly in this paper. In many cases, the optimal solution may include both track forms. Rolling stock considerations and their influence on track infrastructure design are considered beyond the scope of this paper. This paper will focus predominantly on two slab track systems widely used in international HSR projects: the Japanese J-slab track system; and the German Rheda slab track system. The French track system will be referenced as the typical ballasted track HSR design. The practices discussed in this paper generally apply to systems which are either primarily or exclusively passenger rail systems. In the U.S., these types of systems will necessarily exclude the systems the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) refers to as “Emerging” or “Regional” HSR systems which include passenger train traffic to share trackage on, what are otherwise considered, primarily freight lines.

Who Rides These Things?

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack E. Heiss
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Market Information ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Development Patterns ◽  
Trip Purpose ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Rail Line ◽  
Market Capture ◽  
Investment Grade

While planners and politicians alike go about kicking the tires of various trains, and traveling abroad on fact-finding missions about HSR, the question remains whether Americans will patronize high-speed rail in sufficient number to justify the investment. A common practice is to identify an existing or abandoned rail line as the candidate route that connects population centers, identify the former stations for rehabilitation, select a technology, and then perform an investment-grade ridership study to determine whether sufficient revenues will be generated. This approach may prove sufficient in the upgrading of an existing conventional service, or re-establishing a previous service in those areas of the country with a long history of passenger rail. When approaching newer developed areas such as the Sunbelt cities, the inter-relationship of development patterns and fixed-guideway passenger services is not established. Those development patterns were influenced by the automobile, not by guideway-based transportation. A different approach is needed when history is not a guide. While the selection of the population centers to be served at the outset is appropriate and makes for a basic identification of the market to be served, it does not reveal the actual destinations that are interest to the travelers. The next step is to more thoroughly investigate travel between those points. That investigation should include surveys to determine trip purpose, identify the main attractors in the markets, the demographics of the travelers and how time is valued by the travelers. Finally, estimates must be made of the absolute numbers of those traveling. Additionally, examination of the current travel patterns through the patronage of existing services can provide clues to the market demand. The acquisition of this market information then allows the planners to design a transportation product that will appeal to the potential customers and make a determination of potential revenue. Even when certain parameters of a system are set because of geography or availability of infrastructure, market information can guide improvements to maximize market capture. This paper will examine those data that are important to a high-speed rail plan and how some system decisions directly affect the ability of the transportation product offered to satisfy the needs of the traveling public. “Build it and they will come” cannot be trusted to repay the massive investment required by high-speed rail.

The Future Roles for Tracked Levitated Vehicle Systems

1974 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Ward
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Operating Costs ◽  
Fixed Costs ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Relative Preference ◽  
Rail Systems ◽  
The Future ◽  
General Preference ◽  
Large Investment

The future roles for tracked levitated vehicle (TLV) systems are identified in the context of comparison with improved passenger rail systems and short haul air systems. These new TLV systems, anticipated to be available for operational use in the 1980’s, will be capable of cruise speeds to about 300 mph, compared to 150–170 mph for high speed rail. The paper concludes that, when developed, TLV will be better than the best rail. Because of its higher speed, travel times will be shorter and operational costs per seat mile will be lower. Higher speed results in lower operating costs because it increases vehicle productivity in terms of seat-miles generated per hour. The relative preference between TLV and air systems depends on both ridership density and trip distance. TLV has much higher fixed costs than air because of the large investment in guideway and other infrastructure, so that TLV requires a larger ridership if fixed costs per passenger are to be reasonable. In operations, however, air systems lose much more time in terminal (airport) stops than TLV systems, which penalizes total trip time and vehicle productivity, especially for short trip distances. Thus air system operating costs are substantially higher than those of TLV systems for short trips. The net result is a general preference for TLV systems when ridership densities are high and trip distances are below 300–400 miles, and a preference for air systems at lower ridership densities or for longer trips. Air is distinctly superior beyond 500 miles.

Europe's high-speed rail hopes could go off track

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Acceptability ◽  
Potential Development ◽  
The Face ◽  
Benefits And Costs ◽  
European Sector

Subject The high-speed rail sector in Europe. Significance High-speed rail continues to develop in Europe, but there are increasing concerns about the balance of economic benefits and costs as well as, in some cases, the public acceptability of the sector. Hopes that the industry's development in Europe would provide a base for exports may be optimistic, in the face especially of Chinese competition. Impacts Growth in the European market will continue, but much of the sector's potential development is in other regions, especially Asia. The breakdown of the Schengen zone or introduction of airport-style security would blight the environment for the European sector. Liberalisation, driven by either national or EU reforms, could increase competition on Europe's densest national and international routes. Spain's fiscal and centre-periphery challenges could make its development of high-speed rail especially sensitive.

Measuring Concrete Crosstie Rail Seat Pressure Distribution With Matrix Based Tactile Surface Sensors

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher T. Rapp ◽  
J. Riley Edwards ◽  
Marcus S. Dersch ◽  
Christopher P. L. Barkan ◽  
Jose Mediavilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
The United States ◽  
System Component ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Increased Strength

A sustained increase in gross rail loads and cumulative freight tonnages, as well as increased interest in high and higher-speed passenger rail development in the United States, is placing an increasing demand on railway infrastructure. According to a railway industry survey conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), rail seat deterioration (RSD) was identified as one of the primary factors limiting concrete crosstie service life. Therefore, it can be seen that there is a need for infrastructure components with increased strength, durability, and ability to maintain the tighter geometric track tolerances under demanding loading conditions. Researchers have hypothesized that localized crushing of the concrete rail seat is one of five potential mechanisms that contribute to RSD. Therefore, to better understand this mechanism, UIUC is utilizing a matrix based tactile surface sensor (MBTSS) to quantify the forces acting at the interface between the bottom of the rail pad and the concrete tie rail seat. The MBTSS measures the forces and distribution of pressure as a load is applied to the rail seat. Preliminary laboratory testing has shown that higher modulus rail pads distribute forces poorer than lower modulus rail pads, leading to localized areas with high contact pressure and a higher probability of crushing. Testing has also shown that as the lateral/vertical (L/V) force ratio increases, the pressure on the field side of the rail seat also increases, possibly accelerating RSD. The objective of future field testing is to be able to validate the assumptions made from this preliminary laboratory data. Data collected and analyzed throughout this research project will provide valuable insight into developing future concrete crosstie and fastening system component designs that meet the operational and loading demands of high speed rail and joint passenger/freight corridors.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document