Railway Transportation Systems

"... an excellent reference source that can be used for all aspects of rail systems research. It is a useful addition to any rail researcher's book shelf." -Professor Mark Robinson, NewRail, Newcastle University, UK "This book is thoroughly researched and clearly presented with lots of helpful and well-illustrated examples. ...a very useful resource for railway engineers and anyone needing information on railway systems from around the world." -Professor Simon Iwnicki, Institute of Railway Research, University of Huddersfield, UK "... presents railway transportation system[s] in a simple and logical way. The book's layout and structure makes it easier to understand and follow... A quick look over the content also indicates that it will be a useful reference to researchers especially coming from non-railway discipline[s] to perform research in railway." -Uday Kumar, Lulea Railway Research Center, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden "... this 475-page book is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of all engineering aspects of passenger and freight transport by rail." -Railway Gazette International

Christos N. Pyrgidis is a professor in railway engineering for the civil engineering department at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Greece. He earned a diploma in civil engineering (AUTh, 1981). In addition, he specialized for five years at the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees (ENPC) Paris, France, in transportation infrastructure (1984-1985: CES 'Infrastructure et Transports'); transport economics (1985-1986: DEA 'transport') and railway engineering (1986-1989: PhD in 'transport'). From 2004 to 2007 he was the Greek representative to the Administrative Board of the European Railway Agency (ERA). Pyrgidis is a member of the ERRAC Academia Permanent Advisory Group and member of the Scientific Committee of SHIFT2RAIL Joint Undertaking (S2R JU). He has published more than 100 articles in scientific journals and international congresses. He is the author of another book, which is entitled Railway Transportation Systems: Infrastructure, Rolling Stock, Exploitation (in Greek).

The Railway as a Transport System Definition Constituents The Railway System Technique Classification of Railway Systems The Capabilities of the Railway System Historical Overview of the Railway, and Future Perspectives References Loads on Track Classification of Loads Vertical Loads on Track Transversal Loads on Track Longitudinal Forces References Behavior of Rolling Stock on Track Behavior of a Single Railway Wheelset Behavior of a Whole Vehicle Derailment of Railway Vehicles References Tramway Definition and Description of the System Classification of Tramway Systems Constructional and Operational Characteristics of the System Integration of Tramway Corridors across the Road Arteries Integration of Stops Tramway Depot Facilities Requirements for Implementing the System Applicability Verification of Alternative Alignments Historical Overview and Present Situation References Metro Definition and Description of the System Classification of Metro Systems Constructional and Operational Characteristics of a Metro System Metro Stations Depot Facilities Requirements for Implementing the System Historical Overview and Present Situation References Monorail Definition and Description of the System Classification of the Monorails and Techniques of the System Constructional and Operational Characteristics of the System Advantages and Disadvantages of Monorail Systems Requirements for Implementing the System Historical Overview and Present Situation References Automatic Passenger Transport Railway Systems of Low and Medium Transport Capacity Definition Cable-Propelled Railway Systems Self-Propelled Electric Systems References Suburban Railway Definition and Classification of Suburban Railway Systems Constructional and Operational Characteristics of the System Advantages and Disadvantages of the Suburban Railway Requirements for Implementing the System Applicability Verification of the System References Rack Railway Definition and Description of the System Classification of Rack Railway Systems Evolution of the System and Application Examples Constructional and Operational Features of Rack Railway Systems Advantages and Disadvantages of Rack Railway Systems Requirements for Implementing the System References Cable Railway Systems for Steep Gradients Definition and Description of the System The Funicular The Inclined Elevator Advantages and Disadvantages of Cable Railway Systems for Steep Gradients Requirements for Implementing the System References Organisation and Management of Passenger Interurban Railway Transport Services and Basic Design Principles Service Level of Interurban Passenger Railway Transport: Quality Parameters Scheduling of Passenger Train Services Selection and Purchase of Rolling Stock References High-Speed Trains Distinction between High Speeds and Conventional Speeds High-Speed Train Issues Specifications and Technical Solutions for the Achievement of High Speeds Historical Review and Current Situation of High-Speed Networks and Trains Interoperability Issues References Tilting Trains Definition and Function Principle of Tilting Technology Tilting Techniques and Systems Main Constructional and Operational Characteristics of Tilting Trains Requirements for Implementing the System Historic Overview and Present Situation References Metric Track Gauge Interurban Railway Networks Definition and Description of the System General Overview of Metric Gauge Interurban Railway Networks Main Constructional Characteristics of Interurban Metric Track Gauge Lines Advantages and Disadvantages of Interurban Metric Gauge Lines Requirements for Implementing the System References Organisation and Management of Freight Railway Transport Services and Cargo Movement Service Level of Freight Railway Transport: Quality Parameters Scheduling of Freight Train Services Combined Transport Mass Transport Transportation of Dangerous Goods References Heavy Haul Rail Transport Definition and General Description of the System The Inte