Rail Transport Infrastructure

This book details many of the different types of infrastructure that are present in a rail system. It is an overview, and presents a reasonable level of depth to the various engineering systems, such as track and signalling.

The book discusses at length rail tunnels, and their related infrastructure, which includes the tunnel itself, fire systems, water management, and ventilation. The configuration of different rail tunnels is also discussed, and the advantages and disadvantages of each is also discussed.

Many of the features of modern stations are shown and detailed in photos. The many different aspects of station design are discussed, so as passenger flows through the station. As with tunnels, there are different configurations for stations, which in some cases depend on the tunnel design, should the station be underground. Light rail station design is also discussed.

Loading and structure gauges are important in their own right, as well as the definitions of track gauge. Platform heights, which is related to station design, is also discussed. The basics of the structure of signalling are also detailed. An explanation is provided of some very simple signalling, and track sections are explained. Indications and aspects of signals are also explained. Finally, there is some discussion of infrastructure related to the network design of a rail system, such as stabling yards, and maintenance centres. Signal boxes and control centres are also discussed.

Contenu

Chapter 1 Introduction. 1

Chapter 2 Describing a Rail System.. 2

Number of passengers per day. 2

Route Length. 3

Number of Stations. 5

Traffic Type. 5

Power Supply. 6

Gauge. 7

Number of Lines. 8

Chapter 3 Types of Passenger Rail Systems. 11

Light Rail Systems. 14

Heavy Rail 29

Other Rail Systems. 45

Chapter 4 Overview of Rail Infrastructure. 56

Track. 56

Signalling. 65

Electrical (Traction systems) 74

Tunnels. 80

Bridges. 86

Road and Pedestrian Level Crossings. 88

Control Systems. 91

Chapter 5 Stations. 96

Styles and Configurations of Stations. 97

Straight and Curved Platforms. 105

Terminal Stations. 108

Interchange Stations. 109

Components of a Station. 111

Access in and out of Stations. 121

Light Rail Stations. 123

Chapter 6 Other Infrastructure. 127

Passenger information systems. 127

Stabling. 129

Maintenance Centres. 131

Control Centres. 132

Signal Boxes. 133

Chapter 7 Freight Infrastructure. 137

Introduction. 137

Overview of Freight Systems. 137

Different Types of Freight 149

Freight Terminals. 156

Chapter 8 Structure/Loading Gauge, Geometry, Heights and Grades. 162

Loading and Structure Gauge. 162

Superelevation (Cant) 169

Platform Heights. 169

Grades. 172

Chapter 9 Signalling. 177

Introduction. 177

Automatic Block Signalling. 178

The Special Case of 2 Aspect Signalling. 184

4 or more aspect signalling headways. 187

Computer Assistance in Driving Trains, and ATP.. 188

Chapter 10 Stabling. 196

The Tidal Nature of Commuter Services. 202

Well designed stabling. 203

Different Configurations of Stabling. 204

Stabling of Freight 207

Chapter 11 Underground Tunnels & Stations. 209

Fire Protection and Safety for Underground Stations. 212

Infrastructure in an Underground Station. 215

Tunnels. 218