PurposeThis study explores how managerial leadership and organizational innovation interact to enhance resilience and risk management in railway supply chains and how these capabilities contribute to sustained competitive advantage. It emphasizes the strategic importance of resilience in railway systems that face operational complexity, regulatory pressures and increasing exposure to systemic risks.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods design was employed, integrating survey data from 186 railway organizations with six case studies involving railway operators, rolling stock manufacturers and supply chain partners across multiple regions. Constructs were measured using validated scales and hypothesized relationships were tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Case study interviews were analyzed thematically to provide contextual understanding of leadership practices and innovation strategies.FindingsThe results confirm that transformational managerial leadership significantly predicts innovation adoption, which in turn strengthens resilience and risk management capabilities. Resilience emerged as a powerful driver of competitive advantage, reinforcing its role as a strategic capability rather than a reactive response to disruptions. Furthermore, innovation was shown to partially mediate the relationship between leadership and resilience, highlighting its function as the operational channel through which vision translates into capability.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by integrating the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities (DC) framework into the context of railway supply chains. It is among the first to empirically validate the mediating role of innovation between leadership and resilience, offering both theoretical advancements and actionable strategies for building resilient and competitive railway systems.
Transportation engineering, Railroad engineering and operation
The automatic train operation (ATO) system for HXD1 locomotives has been incorporated in routine operational assessments on the Xi'an-Ankang line under the Xi'an railway bureau. This paper aims to address the challenges posed to the locomotive ATO system in future operational scenarios that involve crossing the railway bureaus and route boundaries. It presents an in-depth analysis of the difficulties faced by the ATO system in these scenarios including operation across multiple railway lines, track and yard transfers, and diverse train formations and vehicle types. The study focuses on the research and implementation of key technologies for operation crossing different bureaus and route boundaries, including electronic maps and operational scales, transfer-oriented operational planning and control, as well as operational planning and control for multiple formations and vehicle types. Field application results demonstrate that these technologies contribute to the safe operation of freight trains in operational scenarios involving different bureaus and route boundaries, by enhancing the adaptability of the locomotive ATO system.
Despite its significant application potential, low-vacuum ultra-high-speed rail transit faces several pressing scientific and technical challenges. This paper presents a comprehensive review of low-vacuum tube ultra-high-speed rail transit technology, covering its origins, development, and current international research trends. The necessity and feasibility of developing this technology are then analyzed, followed by a detailed discussion on the adaptability of magnetic levitation technology for trains operating in low-pressure environments, as well as the primary technical challenges, such as heat dissipation and insulation issues. Furthermore, the paper proposes technical solutions and measures for rescue and evacuation specific to low-vacuum tube transportation systems.
Omobolaji Lawal, Shaik Althaf V.Shajihan, Kirill Mechitov
et al.
Of the 100,000 railroad bridges in the United States, 50% are over 100 years old. Many of these bridges do not meet the minimum vertical clearance standards, making them susceptible to impacts from over-height vehicles. Impacts can cause structural damage and unwanted disruption to railroad bridge services; rapid notification of the railroad authorities is crucial to ensure that the bridges are safe for continued use and to affect timely repairs. Therefore, researchers have developed approaches to identify these impacts to railroad bridges. Some recent approaches use machine learning to more effectively identify impacts from the sensor data. Typically, the collected sensor data is transmitted to a central location for processing. However, the challenge with this centralized approach is that the transfer of data to a central location can take considerable time, which is undesirable for time-sensitive events like impact detection that require rapid assessment and response to potential damage. To address the challenges posed by the centralized approach, this study develops a framework for edge implementation of machine learning predictions on wireless smart sensors. Wireless sensors are used because of their ease of installation and lower costs compared to their wired counterparts. The framework is implemented on the Xnode wireless smart sensor platform, thus bringing artificial intelligence models directly to the sensor nodes and eliminating the need to transfer data to a central location for processing. This framework is demonstrated using data obtained from events on a railroad bridge near Chicago; results illustrate the efficacy of the proposed edge computing framework for such time-sensitive structural health monitoring applications.
High-altitude operational environments pose new challenges to the reliability of rail transit equipment. To meet the through traffic requirements connecting the Lasa-Rikaze and Lasa-Linzhi railways, which involve both electrified and non-electrified operations, China has successfully developed a dual-source power-centralized EDMU for plateau railways. This paper briefly describes the parameters and performance requirements of this EDMU diesel-power car, highlighting higher requirements in terms of miniaturization and lightweight of complete cars, along with more demanding requirements for the traction performance of the electric drive system. The paper elaborates on the main circuit and key technical parameters of the electric drive system for the diesel power car of this EDMU, analyzing the technical characteristics of the AC drive system, featuring the integration of traction, auxiliaries, and head-end power. It summarizes the type tests and passenger transport services conducted on EDMUs equipped with this electric drive system, indicating its rational design and reliable performance. This design solution meets the overall technical requirements for dual-source power-concentrated EDMUs intended for operation in high-altitude environments and lays a foundation for the platform-based development of locomotives and EDMU.
Rail breakage and expansion resulting from changes in longitudinal displacement of the steel rail pose a significant threat to train safety. To address the need for high-precision, non-contact and multi-rail displacement detection, an online monitoring method for multi-rail longitudinal displacement based on rotary laser sensing was proposed in this paper. Angular gauge plates fixed on rails were used to convert the longitudinal displacement of rails into lateral displacement of gauge plates, and the lateral displacement of rail gauge plates were then captured by the rotary laser sensor. On this basis, a groove feature recognition method utilizing a sliding window threshold was proposed to ensure accurate and stable measurement of the lateral displacement of gauge plates. Finally, the developed rail displacement monitoring system was deployed for long-term testing at K730+000 on the Lanzhou-Urumqi railway in Jiayuguan city, Gansu province. The test results show that the proposed method could ensure long-term and reliable online monitoring and early warning of longitudinal displacement for multiple rails.
The third-generation wide-bandgap semiconductor silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET devices have rapidly become a research hotspot in the production and research sectors due to their advantages, such as high voltage resistance, high-temperature resistance and low loss. This paper, in conjunction with the development history of SiC MOSFET devices, discussed the necessity of transitioning from planar gate technology to trench gate technology. It elaborated on the technical challenges and research progress related to SiC trench gate MOSFET structure design, trench etching processes, trench gate oxide processes and other core issues. Finally, it provided an outlook for future advanced SiC trench gate MOSFET technology.
The traction power supply system will have high amplitude transient overvoltage after lightning stroke, which will affect the stable operation of railway transportation system. In order to effectively evaluate the transient characteristics of traction power supply system under lightning impulse, a T-type transient model of catenary tower and a lightning propagation simulation method of traction power supply system was proposed. Based on a 110/27.5 kV traction substation, the transient simulation model of its low-voltage side branch under lightning impulse was established, and the transient characteristics of main electrical equipment were analyzed. The results show that the peak value of lightning overvoltage on the low voltage side of traction transformer decreases linearly with the increase of lightning counterattack distance; the current decreases with the increase of distance, but the decreasing range slows down and shows a saturation trend. Through the comparison of different configuration schemes of lightning arrester in traction substation, it was concluded that the installation of lightning arrester on the low-voltage output side of traction transformer is the best scheme.
Purpose – The traction cable is paralleled with the existing traction network of electrified railway through transverse connecting line to form the scheme of long distance power supply for the traction network. This paper aims to study the scheme composition and power supply distance (PSD) of the scheme. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the structure of parallel traction network (referred to as “cable traction network (CTN)”), the power supply modes (PSMs) are divided into cable + direct PSM and cable + autotransformer (AT) PSM (including Japanese mode, French mode and new mode). Taking cable + Japanese AT PSM as an example, the scheme of long distance power supply for CTN under the PSMs of co-phase and out-of-phase power supply are designed. On the basis of establishing the equivalent circuit model and the chain circuit model of CTN, taking the train working voltage as the constraint condition, and based on the power flow calculation of multiple train loads, the calculation formula and process for determining the PSD of CTN are given. The impedance and PSD of CTN under the cable + AT PSM are simulated and analyzed, and a certain line is taken as an example to compare the scheme design. Findings – Results show that the equivalent impedance of CTN under the cable + AT PSM is smaller, and the PSD is about 2.5 times of that under the AT PSM, which can effectively increase the PSD and the flexibility of external power supply location. Originality/value – The research content can effectively improve the PSD of traction power supply system and has important reference value for the engineering application of the scheme.
Transportation engineering, Railroad engineering and operation
According to the design requirements of three-level power module for traction converter of CRH380A EMUs,combining the main circuit structure characteristics of three-level main circuit power module, IGBT driving circuit, laminated busbar and radiator of three-level power module were researched and designed, and three-level IGBT power module for CRH380A EMUs was developed. The test and operation results showed that the three-level IGBT module had good performance and could meet the requirements of CRH380A EMUs.
<p>This thesis will explore the development and design opportunities related to the retrofitting of abandoned railroad corridors in post industrial cities. These lines of infrastructure will be viewed as the lifelines of the city whereby, the ramifications of main transportation arteries will impact the urban network through connectivity and the creation of public open space. This thesis will look at obsolete public railroad infrastructure, as an important fragment of the collective memory of a post-industrial city that can be reactivated to connect back into the transportation urban network. These structures will be identified as landmarks that must be preserved and incorporated into public space and amenity. The reestablishment of the railroad in this context will result in the connection of the contemporary to its past, creating more meaningful and resonant spaces. These transportation corridors will be addressed as part of expanding ecological and man-made systems, thus becoming lifelines of the city, expanding their arteries to feed life into the urban fabric. The natural areas affected by these railroads will be treated as the lungs of the city and made more accessible to the public in order to raise ecological awareness. The railroad thus creates permeability, linking urban and natural areas and reviving its former function of connectivity by re-stitching the urban fabric.</p>
The long-haul operation was perceived as the last bulwark, capturing the respective markets with air services for traditional carrier, however, low-cost air carriers have expanded on long-haul markets recently. In this paper, we compare the competitive weapons of air carriers which operated direct flights on the O-D route Singapore – Melbourne, long-haul low-cost carriers including. The carriers are compared in terms of frequencies, duration of flights, prices and offered classes to passengers. Considering the interlinkages among the carriers, whether based on ownership and/or horizontal cooperation, we reveal two dimensions of competition on the analysed O-D and recommend to tackle more.fragile edges in the triangle of cooperation, competition and coopetiion in the airline industry by regulatory and competition bodies.
Railroad engineering and operation, Industrial engineering. Management engineering
The loads for bolster fatigue strength analysis were determined based on the load bearing characteristic. The structural stress distribution under each load case was obtained and the stress component to the weld coordinate system were calculated. According to the standard DVS 1612, the bolster fatigue strength was estimated on the basis of the degree of utilization for each stress component and the composition value. The results showed that the stress transverse to the weld has a major effect on the bolster fatigue strength and there is slight influence of the other stress component on it. Structure strength test verified the effectiveness of the antifatigue technology.
Tunnel is an important railway operation facility, and its settlement control is vital for railway operation safety. Taking Jing-Guang high-speed railway as research object, based on existing hydrostatic leveling remote automatic technique and laser remote monitor technique, a novel base-bed settlement monitor scheme, i.e. machine visual monitor scheme was proposed, which had overcome the contradiction between accuracy and cost with plane light source and image recognition technology, and realized precise monitor of high-speed railway base-bed settlement.
One of the reasons of loss of working capacity and the subsequent destruction of the products which are included in the package of railway vehicles is possibility of unchecked entry into operation of the counterfeit and previously rejected products. The important task is ensuring traffic safety on the basis of the protection system to prevent unauthorized use of rail transport products, including counterfeit. The article presents the fundamental principles of flexible system of protection against counterfeiting and unauthorized use of the products on the railways. This system eliminates unauthorized component equipment of rolling stock, including counterfeit, previously rejected ones, and having identical numbers in its operation at the whole area of “1520 mm”. Creation of the system is achieved through a combination of measures, including: 1. The development of a unified numbering system that ensures the uniqueness of the product numbers for the possibility of its recognition in the total volume of produced products. 2. Implementation of advanced and proven methods and ways of marking of products by drawing on its surface identifiers, providing visual (working mark) and automated perception with the use of special reading devices (protective markings). 3. Creation of automated data bank of products (ADBP), containing all the necessary information about each individual product operated, to be protected against counterfeiting. 4. The establishment of unified rules and procedures for product registration and ADBPs, as well as periodic monitoring of product authenticity and legitimacy of rolling stock equipment in the different stages of the life cycle on the basis of comparison of information and operating security marking and ADBP information. Proposed basic principles of creating a flexible system of protection against counterfeiting and unauthorized use of the products in railway transport allow timely identify and prevent unauthorized rolling stock equipment with component parts, including counterfeit, previously rejected, and having identical numbers in its operation in the whole area of “1520 mm.”
Důležitou součástí dopravních analýz je hodnocení dopravní dostupnosti. Nejrůznější ukazatele se využívají jak pro individuální tak i pro hromadnou dopravu. Nicméně ukazatele pro hodnocení dostupnosti veřejnou dopravou se často liší od metrik pro dostupnost individuální dopravou a to hlavně z důvodu nedostatku vhodných dat. V článku je hodnoceno jedno z kritérií, kterým jsou četnosti spojení veřejnou hromadnou dopravou ve vybraných časových intervalech během dne. K hodnocení se využívají jak autobusové, tak i vlakové dopravní spojení mezi obcemi v České republice s využitím programu TRAM a ukazují na různou úroveň dostupnosti v průběhu dne a taky na rozdíly v dostupnosti mezi jednotlivými kraji. Hodnocen je také vztah mezi vzdáleností a počtem spojení, kdy rovněž tento vztah se mění jak v čase, tak i mezi kraji.
Railroad engineering and operation, Industrial engineering. Management engineering
Martin Jačura, Vojtěch Novotný, Ondřej Havlena
et al.
Článek představuje univerzálně použitelný nástroj pro kategorizaci tarifních bodů železniční osobní dopravy, který má potenciál se stát rozhodovacím nástrojem například pro stanovení poplatku za použití tarifního bodu nebo optimálního vybavení výpravní budovy. Nástroj záměrně jako vstupy používá snadno zjistitelné a jednoznačné údaje. Výstupem je bodové ohodnocení železniční stanice a zastávky doplněné o charakteristické příznaky, který má univerzální další využití.
Railroad engineering and operation, Industrial engineering. Management engineering
Principle and control method of variable-frequency air conditioner were introduced, and capabilities of energy saving and comfort about variable-frequency and fix-frequency air conditioner were researched. The results showed that compared with fixfrequency air conditioner, variable-frequency air conditioner not only saved energy, but also had better temperature control precision and comfort.
Safety definition and confusion understandings of software product security job were expounded. Some easily neglected questions in safety design were discussed, and relationship between safety and reliability and difference of safety and security were analyzed, which were helpful to improve product safety design.
The contribution presents the process of two and three dimensional localization of the moving object using a camera system, possible remote data transmission through communication links and image acquisition problems. Moving object recognition is provided by one possible approach - frames difference method, which represents object tracking at any background, image processing was done in MATLAB and the application example is presented by online tracking of moving robot MINDSTORM
Railroad engineering and operation, Industrial engineering. Management engineering