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Rail Articles

Boosting railway infrastructure in Bulgaria

3 December 2008 | By Anton Ginev, Director General, National Railway Infrastructure Company, Bulgaria

The task of the modernisation plan of the Railway Infrastructure of Republic of Bulgaria is to develop the advantages of the country cross-road position and its transit potential with an aim to enhance the country’s integration into the European structures and to support the sustainable development of the Southeast Europe…

High-speed set to gather pace in Poland

3 December 2008 | By Cezary Grabarczyk, Minister of Infrastructure, Poland

Although Poland is finding developing high-speed railway lines difficult, the country recognises that by having better transport infrastructure and by having easier ways to move between agglomerations, the quicker its economic development will be.

Comprehensive overhead-line inspection

3 December 2008 | By Uwe Richter, Overhead Contact Line Expert, Eurailscout

How the modern contacting and contactless inspection and analysis of overhead-line systems on normal and high-speed routes are a guarantee of safe railway operation without disturbances.

Contact-free high-speed data transmission

3 December 2008 | By Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl Heinz Kraft, University of Applied Sciences, Department of Electrical Engineering, Wolfenbüttel, Germany

This paper deals with a solution to the problem of transmitting on-board information between railway cars connected by means of automatic couplers.

Smarter safety means smarter business

3 December 2008 | By Anson Jack, Director of Policy, Research and Risk, Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB)

How RSSB’s knowledge, analysis, technical expertise and powerful information and risk management tools deliver a unique mix to the industry across a whole range of subject areas.

Neopul’s dedicated work in Ireland

3 December 2008 | By Paulo Real Oliviera, Project Manager, Neopul

Details of how Neopul is actively working on some important projects in Ireland which include the Laois Traincare Depot, the LUAS Red Cow Rail Diversion and the LUAS B1-400 extension.

ERTMS: offering an end-to-end solution to all transport organisations

3 December 2008 | By Robert Sarfati, Director Consultant at SYSTRA, Chairman of the UIC ERTMS/GSM-R Operators Group and Chairman of ETSI Technical Committee for Rail Telecommunications

GSM-R is the bearer for ERTMS/ETCS, the European Train Control System, gradually introducing a true intelligent traffic management system all over the railway lines in Europe. This global system is now extending to several countries worldwide as a recognised operating system.

Banverket seeks investment to cope with growth

27 September 2008 | By James Abbott, Technical Editor

With traffic increasing steadily, Banverket is seeking more money to finance new lines, adding extra capacity and improving maintenance in the Swedish rail system. Over the past decade, rail traffic growth in Sweden has been impressive. Passenger loadings are up by almost three quarters, while freight traffic has grown by…

ERTMS – philosophies with a driver supporting signalling system

27 September 2008 | By Sven-Hakan Nilsson, ERTMS Programme Manager, Banverket

The new European signalling system, ERTMS, will have a big impact on how the driver operates the train. ERTMS is in fact a signalling system that gives possibilities to support the driver in planning and driving of the train. This is a big difference for a lot of countries where…

‘Vision Zero’ and OLA improved level crossings

27 September 2008 | By Olle Mornell, Project Manager of Safety, Operational Department, Swedish Rail Administration (Banverket) and Helena Höök, Quality Controller & Strategist of Traffic Safety, Department of Operational Management, Swedish Road Administration (Vägverket)

Two severe accidents in 2004 and 2005 brought focus on the dangers of level crossings. According to ‘Vision Zero’, fatalities and severe injuries are not acceptable in the transport system. Since level crossings concern many key players, Banverket took the first steps to cooperation and Vägverket provided the OLA working…

Successful completion of Sweden’s biggest ever signal replacement

27 September 2008 | By Helen Hellströmer, Chief Communications Officer Banverket Produktion, Ann Linblad, Journalist/Editor, Banverket Produktion and Henrik Engberg, Communications Consultant, Engberg Information AB

During the Easter period of 2008, Banverket Produktion carried out the biggest ever signal replacement in Sweden and one that could possibly be considered the biggest in the whole of Europe.

The imminent inauguration of the Bothnia Line

27 September 2008 | By Lennart Westberg, Managing Director/Project Director, Botniabanan AB

Building of the Bothnia Line began on a modest scale in 1999. In October 2008, Stage 1 is expected to be taken into operation – this is when a subsection is being opened for goods traffic. The entire line will be ready for goods and passenger services in autumn 2010.

RENFE finds unexpected answers to crowd congestion at Atocha

27 September 2008 | By Manuel Rodríguez Simons, Corporate Director for Civil Protection, Safety and Risk Prevention, RENFE OPERADORA

Sitting at the heart of Madrid’s extensive rail network, Atocha station is the biggest public transport interchange in the Spanish capital. Local rail lines, high-speed intercity services and metro lines from across the city come together here to provide an essential link for commuters, tourists and local residents alike. With…

Madrid-Barcelona-French Border high-speed railway line

27 September 2008 | By Antonio Fernández Gil, Director of the Madrid-Barcelona-French Border Line Project, ADIF

Details of the stretch of railway line between Madrid, Barcelona and the French Border, which is managed by RENFE and ADIF.

Poceirão-Caia PPP call for tenders – a vital infrastructure project

27 September 2008 | By João Pereira Fernandes, Lisbon-Madrid Axis Director, RAVE

On 2 June 2008, the launch of the international call for tenders for the Poceirão-Caia Public-Private Partnership rail infrastructure concession took place, which will be part of the high-speed line from Lisbon to Madrid.