In 2006, the first Lithium-ion battery in Japan was installed in traction power supply system by the West Japan Railway Company and now more than 20 energy storage systems have already been installed in traction power supply system in Japan. In this article, the recent Japanese trends of regenerative energy utilization are summarized not only in DC railway but also in AC railway. We, East Japan Railway Company, have installed three energy storage systems for DC railway and one railway static power conditioner (RPC), not energy storage system, for AC railway for regenerative energy utilization. The effects of these systems are also shown quantitatively in this paper.

Explosives pose a major threat to urban metro rail systems. Train drivers are therefore expected to regularly perform security procedures in response to reports of suspicious items on the train. This study was conducted to develop a multi-factorial account of deviation from one such security procedure by train drivers. By analysing data from focus group interviews with 30 train drivers, observation in a rail simulator, actual cab rides, and training material four major themes emerged to explain why drivers may deliberately deviate from following normative procedures designed by their managers. This included perceived pressure from safety and service goals, stress and fatigue during peak hours of operation, and workload created by security tasks. The results are organised in a succinct model that draws a link between drivers’ perceived pressure from multiple goals, and the changing driving conditions in which they perform. The study proposes ways for managers of urban commuter rail networks to understand the pressures that their drivers face in performing security tasks that are not part of their conventional job profile. The findings can inform changes in training methods, encourage drivers to discuss their reasons for deliberate rule violation, and support the design of security procedures more likely to be implemented.

A mathematical model of dynamic wheelset–track interaction is proposed in this paper. The model is defined in the time domain in order to introduce and correctly evaluate nonlinear and time-variant phenomena related to the contact model and boundary conditions which play a very important role in rail surface degradation phenomena. The complete model can be divided into three main components: the model of the wheelset, the model of the track and the model of wheel–rail contact forces. In the paper, the wheelset is described as a rotating flexible body, and the gyroscopic and inertial effects associated with wheelset rotation are introduced to this model using an ‘Eulerian’ finite element approach based on 3D quadratic solid elements. The discrete supported track is modelled using finite Timoshenko beam element, which takes into account both the vertical and the lateral rail vibration valid up to 1500 Hz. The wheelset and the track are coupled by means of a contact model based on the nonlinear Hertz and Kalker theories. The flexible components of the interaction model make it possible to describe the train–track dynamics in a relatively high-frequency range, which allows the investigation of specific aspects such as rail corrugation. Some numerical results are presented in terms of contact forces and rail–wheel vibration speed in the paper. The effect of wheelset and track flexibility in specific frequency range on train–track interaction dynamics is briefly discussed.

In this article, the results of the research in a field of which uses active global navigation satellite system (GNSS) geodetic networks for the inventory of geodetic geometric tram tracks are presented. The applied measurement technique has been adapted for the designing of the geometric layout of tram tracks. Several configurations of receivers and settings of an active GNSS networks with the objective to increase the accuracy of positioning and the availability of accurate localization are investigated. The measurement methods are optimized in order to increase the accuracy of determining positions from 3 mm up to 6 mm. Thus, the study of deformations in geometric layouts—according to the authors—is already possible. The implementation techniques of the mobile satellite measurements in a field of tram track inventory process are presented in this article. The course of the measurements and the results of the inventory of the tram system in Gdansk, Poland have been discussed. The results have turned out to be extremely useful for the geometric track layout evaluation. It has been proved that the applied method allows a comprehensive tram network inventory to be performed based on satellite measurements. The presented method is fast and cost-efficient.

Nowadays, the railway is considered as a means of fast, aggregate and secure transportation. The issue of the rail and wheel contact is one of the most fundamental aspects in the railway system since inappropriate interactions create problems such as wear and a negative effect in the dynamic functioning of the train. In this research, we analyze one of the most important phenomenon in a railway system which is the contact of the rail and wheel. This review is done in the scope of the most fundamental deteriorating aspect of the rail and wheel system, the wear. The wear in the contact of objects along with its occurrence between the wheel and rail is also analyzed.

High levels of pollution and congestion in urban centres are an increasing concern for local councils in the UK. Heavy goods vehicles delivering urban freight to city centres are a leading cause of this problem. This paper discusses the concept of using light rail networks to deliver freight to city centres from surrounding businesses. Specifically, various innovative designs are considered for the interior of the metro carriage and developed into visual models using Autodesk Inventor software. A full evaluation of all the designs developed is completed, resulting in a proposed design for consideration. The conclusion reached is that the proposed interior design is viable and coincides with the future metro fleet designs and concepts.