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| Image source: Economist.com |
Technology for railway transportation appears less dynamic than other facilities for mass mobility. Comparatively, trains have much longer economic lives, while systems improvements seem to be few and far between. Their impact, though very substantial, has a gradual ripple effect. However, high oil prices, monstrous road traffic and increasing pressure to expand space for cargoes as well as changing preferences for modes of transport engender the acceleration of innovations in train technology.
The focus of better technologies is on traction, braking, and route-planning to smooth levitating effects, with trains appearing to glide at a fascinating velocity of 500kph (310mph). Avant-garde schemes for moving platforms that berth expeditiously with the transport facility’s fast pace have been formulated.
Technology change in gaining traction is demonstrated by GE’s PowerHaul, which features slip control that enables a single locomotive coal train to accommodate up to 31 cars. Computerization automatically replicates the operator’s actions throughout the train, rendering obsolete sending messages via radio.
Brakes technology zeroes in on lessening the distance required for a full stop. To put a train of a hundred cars running at 80kph to a complete halt can take 2 kilometers of track. Brake shoes turn hotter the faster a train’s wheels spin, which decrease friction and hence braking power. To address this, sturdier brake-shoe materials made with resins, elastomers and mineral fibers have been developed, and these have the capacity to raise friction at higher temperatures with reduced wobbling. Further, electronically induced brakes can be applied on all cars at once.
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| Image source: Economist.com |
Train cars’ weight gets in the way of safe braking, thus, a software called Leader that simulates and analyzes the best loading and sequencing of cars at a given route has been introduced. It also instructs operators on optimum accelerating and braking schemes to put fuel costs at minimum.
Another novel technology known as magnetic levitation designed by the North American Maglev Transport Institute electronically controls the train, pushing it along a magnetic field powered by electricity gushing through a guideway a few centimeters beneath, with in place sensors that set magnetic power. Maglev trains are so light they require consume a third less of the energy required by fast conventional trains.
Lisa Dudzik is a contracts and claims manager from Perth, Australia. For over 18 years, she has overseen large-scale construction projects across several industries, including those for high-capacity subways and stations, roads, and highways. She holds an MBA and is currently undertaking an LL.M. in International Commercial Law. Visit this YouTube channel for additional resources on similar topics.
