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Infrastructures
Special Issues
Railway Infrastructure Resilience: Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Sustainability
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Railway Infrastructure Resilience: Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Sustainability

A special issue of Infrastructures (ISSN 2412-3811).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2024) | Viewed by 11919

Special Issue Editors

Dr. André Paixão

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Transportation Department, National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC), Av. do Brasil 101, 1700-066 Lisbon, Portugal
2. CONSTRUCT, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: instrumentation and monitoring of transport infrastructures; structural analysis of railway tracks; asset management of railway and road infrastructures; railway track degradation behavior; sustainable materials and technologies for transport infrastructures; mechanical and morphological characterization of bound and unbound granular materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. José Nuno Varandas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CERIS, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
Interests: earthquake engineering; soil-structure dynamic interaction; structural analysis of railway tracks; development of computer simulation tools for the dynamic and the long-term response; IoT infrastructure
Dr. Rosângela Motta

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Polytechnic School, Transportation Engineering Department, University of São Paulo, Av Prof Almeida Prado, Trav do Biênio, 83, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Interests: railway and road infrastructure; railway and road track sustainable materials; monitoring of railway tracks; laboratory evaluation of railway and road materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue on "Railway Infrastructure Resilience: Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability" aims to bring together state-of-the-art research and advancements in the field of railway infrastructure, tackle the challenges faced by this critical transport system, and ensure its long-term sustainability. Railways play a vital role in promoting economic growth and sustainable mobility, as well as in reducing carbon emissions. However, they face various challenges, including the impacts of climate change, technological advancements, population growth, and evolving user demands. With the increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather events, such as heatwaves, flash floods, blizzards, and other extreme climatic conditions, railway infrastructure is significantly affected, leading to operational and safety risks. This Special Issue seeks to explore innovative solutions, methodologies, and best practices to enhance the resilience and sustainability of railway infrastructure, ensuring its efficient operation, safety, and durability in the face of these challenges.

This Special Issue invites contributions from researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders in the field of railway infrastructure to address this critical need. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Strategies for adapting to climate change and resilient design practices for railway infrastructure;
  • Risk assessment and management for railway systems;
  • Asset management and maintenance practices for resilient infrastructure;
  • Technological innovations in railway infrastructure design;
  • Integration of intelligent transportation systems in railway networks;
  • Innovative materials and technologies for resilient infrastructure;
  • Enhancing the safety, security, and efficiency of railway operations;
  • Socio-economic impacts and cost–benefit analysis of resilient infrastructure;
  • Case studies highlighting successful resilience measures for railway infrastructure.

Authors are encouraged to submit original research articles, review papers, case studies, and conceptual contributions that explore the challenges and opportunities associated with enhancing the resilience and sustainability of railway infrastructure. This Special Issue provides a platform to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange, with the ultimate goal of advancing the understanding and practice of resilient railway infrastructure planning, design, and management in the face of increasing severe weather events.

Dr. André Paixão
Dr. José Nuno Varandas
Dr. Rosângela Motta
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Infrastructures is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • resilient long-term infrastructure design
  • climate change adaptation strategies
  • risk assessment and management
  • asset management for railway resilience
  • technological innovations in railway infrastructure
  • intelligent transportation systems
  • sustainable materials for long-term resilient infrastructure
  • safety and security in railway operations
  • socio-economic impacts of resilient railway infrastructure
  • case studies on successful resilience measures

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 7873 KiB  
Article
Structural Performance of Porcelain Insulators in Overhead Railway Power Systems: Experimental Evaluations and Findings
by Pablo Agüero-Barrantes and Alexandra Hain
Infrastructures 2024, 9(8), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9080138 - 21 Aug 2024
Viewed by 774
Abstract
This paper addresses the critical knowledge gap in the structural performance of porcelain insulators in overhead railway power systems through experimental evaluations. The focus is on porcelain insulators as part of a contact wire registration assembly (CWRA) in the railway power system. While [...] Read more.
This paper addresses the critical knowledge gap in the structural performance of porcelain insulators in overhead railway power systems through experimental evaluations. The focus is on porcelain insulators as part of a contact wire registration assembly (CWRA) in the railway power system. While porcelain insulators are the most widely used high-voltage insulator material, no previous studies have investigated the impact of age on their ultimate load capacity in overhead rail systems. The paper presents the experimental design for tension and a novel 45-degree test setup that replicates field conditions, as well as an overview of the test specimens, which were both new and retired from the field. The results indicate that aging has no impact on the strength of insulators in direct tension tests, but retired insulators in the CWRA show a reduced capacity. Additionally, the location of the drop bracket has a notable influence on the failure mode and stiffness of the assembly. The findings contribute to future improvements in system design and performance. Future research should include material testing, finite element studies, and dynamic testing of the full CWRA setup to further understand insulator performance and support resilient power transmission and distribution systems. Additionally, similar tests should be conducted on polymeric insulators, due to their prevalence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Infrastructure Resilience: Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Sustainability)
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18 pages, 6074 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Seasonal Effects on Railway Vertical Track Modulus
by Antonio Merheb, Joseph Palese, Christopher M. Hartsough, Allan Zarembski and Liedi Bernucci
Infrastructures 2024, 9(8), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9080120 - 23 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1008
Abstract
Adequate vertical track support is essential for safe and efficient railway operations. Insufficient support leads to distorted track geometry, increased dynamic loads, component stress, poor ride quality, rolling stock damage, and derailment risks. Current inspection practices focus on assessing the condition of the [...] Read more.
Adequate vertical track support is essential for safe and efficient railway operations. Insufficient support leads to distorted track geometry, increased dynamic loads, component stress, poor ride quality, rolling stock damage, and derailment risks. Current inspection practices focus on assessing the condition of the track components and geometry, rather than the root causes of degradation. To improve this condition, this study presents the use of a methodology that utilizes an autonomous vertical track deflection measurement system mounted on a loaded rail car (36 tonnes/axle) to support track maintenance decisions in a heavy haul railroad located in southeast Brazil. The system continuously measured substructure stiffness along the railway line. Over one year, data were collected from over 8000 km of track. The study highlighted seasonal effects on track degradation over time, identifying areas with significant deflections and high deflection rates, which contribute to issues such as differential settlement and reduced lifespan of track components. Additionally, the study revealed seasonal effects, with deflections peaking during wet weather and decreasing during dry cycles. A method to classify weak track areas was developed, facilitating monitoring and enabling more effective maintenance planning, contributing to the reduction of overall track maintenance costs and enhancing safety and operational efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Infrastructure Resilience: Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Sustainability)
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21 pages, 5602 KiB  
Article
Steel Slag Sub-Ballast for Sustainable Railway Track Infrastructure
by Rubens Alves, Ana Ramos, Alexandre Castanheira-Pinto, Sara Rios and Jesús Fernández-Ruiz
Infrastructures 2024, 9(7), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9070106 - 4 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1408
Abstract
Railway lines require a significant amount of natural raw materials. Industrial by-products can be used instead, reducing the costs of natural aggregate exploration. This work analyzes a ballasted track’s short- and long-term performances when replacing conventional sub-ballast aggregate with steel slag. After an [...] Read more.
Railway lines require a significant amount of natural raw materials. Industrial by-products can be used instead, reducing the costs of natural aggregate exploration. This work analyzes a ballasted track’s short- and long-term performances when replacing conventional sub-ballast aggregate with steel slag. After an extensive laboratory characterization of the steel slag, the material performance was analyzed in a 3D numerical model of a ballasted track when included in a railway track. An empirical model was implemented and calibrated to predict the long-term permanent deformation induced in the track after many train passages. The results are compared with the allowable deformation limits required for conventional high-speed ballasted track railway lines. An additional analysis was conducted to assess the influence of steel slags on the critical speed of conventional railway tracks when used. The results show a residual impact on the critical speed value compared to the conventional sub-ballast made with natural aggregates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Infrastructure Resilience: Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Sustainability)
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18 pages, 8146 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Different Track Sub-Ballast Solutions Considering Traffic Loads and Sustainability
by Guilherme Castro, Jonathan Saico, Edson de Moura, Rosangela Motta, Liedi Bernucci, André Paixão, Eduardo Fortunato and Luciano Oliveira
Infrastructures 2024, 9(3), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9030054 - 9 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2734
Abstract
The railway industry is seeking high-performance and sustainable solutions for sub-ballast materials, particularly in light of increasing cargo transport demands and climate events. The meticulous design and construction of track bed geomaterials play a crucial role in ensuring an extended track service life. [...] Read more.
The railway industry is seeking high-performance and sustainable solutions for sub-ballast materials, particularly in light of increasing cargo transport demands and climate events. The meticulous design and construction of track bed geomaterials play a crucial role in ensuring an extended track service life. The global push for sustainability has prompted the evaluation of recycling ballast waste within the railway sector, aiming to mitigate environmental contamination, reduce the consumption of natural resources, and lower costs. This study explores materials for application and compaction using a formation rehabilitation machine equipped with an integrated ballast recycling system designed for heavy haul railways. Two recycled ballast-stabilised soil materials underwent investigation, meeting the necessary grain size distribution for the proper compaction and structural conditions. One utilised a low-bearing-capacity silty sand soil stabilised with recycled ballast fouled waste (RFBW) with iron ore at a 3:7 weight ratio, while the second was stabilised with 3% cement. Laboratory tests were conducted to assess their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, and a non-linear elastic finite element numerical model was developed to evaluate the potential of these alternative solutions for railway sub-ballast. The findings indicate the significant potential of using soils stabilised with recycled fouled ballast as sub-ballast for heavy haul tracks, underscoring the advantages of adopting sustainable sub-ballast solutions through the reuse of crushed deteriorated ballast material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Infrastructure Resilience: Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Sustainability)
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24 pages, 18564 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Computational Analyses of Sustainable Approaches in Railways
by Mohammad Adnan Farooq, Naveen Kumar Meena, Piyush Punetha, Sanjay Nimbalkar and Nelson Lam
Infrastructures 2024, 9(3), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9030053 - 8 Mar 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2555
Abstract
Railway transportation is widely recognized as an environment-friendly and sustainable means for conveying freight and passengers over long distances. This article investigates the effectiveness of utilizing scrap tire rubber granules and geosynthetics to enhance track performance in response to the growing demands for [...] Read more.
Railway transportation is widely recognized as an environment-friendly and sustainable means for conveying freight and passengers over long distances. This article investigates the effectiveness of utilizing scrap tire rubber granules and geosynthetics to enhance track performance in response to the growing demands for railway transport and the consequent escalation of train-induced loading. A multi-faceted methodology, incorporating experimental, numerical, and analytical techniques, is employed to examine the efficacy of these sustainable approaches. Results from three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) analyses conducted on slab tracks for high-speed railways reveal that the addition of a resilient layer, comprising scrap tire rubber granules, reduces vertical stress within the track substructure. Laboratory investigations on an innovative composite material consisting of soil, scrap rubber granules, and polyurethane demonstrate its potential to enhance track performance. Findings from two-dimensional (2D) FE analyses conducted on pile-supported railway embankments highlight an enhanced transfer of load to the pile head following the installation of a geogrid layer at the embankment base. Finally, the results from the analytical approach indicate a reduction in track settlement and a decrease in the track geometry degradation rate on reinforcing the ballast layer with 3D cellular geoinclusion. The novelty of this study lies in the comprehensive assessment of the innovative composite material under drained and cyclic loading conditions, the investigation of the influence of train loading on geosynthetic tension and the load transfer mechanism in railway embankments, and the development of an innovative computational methodology capable of assessing the effectiveness of 3D cellular inclusions in improving the ballasted railway track performance. The findings from this article underscore the effectiveness of these sustainable approaches in mitigating the challenges posed by increased loads on railway tracks, providing valuable insights for the ongoing efforts to optimize railway transportation infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Infrastructure Resilience: Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Sustainability)
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13 pages, 3940 KiB  
Article
A Method for Measuring the Mass of a Railroad Car Using an Artificial Neural Network
by Mark A. Denisenko, Alina S. Isaeva, Alexander S. Sinyukin and Andrey V. Kovalev
Infrastructures 2024, 9(2), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9020031 - 10 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2129
Abstract
The fast, convenient, and accurate determination of railroad cars’ load mass is critical to ensure safety and allow asset counting in railway infrastructure. In this paper, we propose a method for modeling the mechanical deformations that occur in the rail web under the [...] Read more.
The fast, convenient, and accurate determination of railroad cars’ load mass is critical to ensure safety and allow asset counting in railway infrastructure. In this paper, we propose a method for modeling the mechanical deformations that occur in the rail web under the influence of a static load transmitted through a railway wheel. According to the proposed method, a railroad car’s weight can be determined from the rail deformation values. A solid model of a track section, including a railroad tie, rail, and wheel, is developed, and a multi-physics simulation technique that allows for the determination of the values of deformations and mechanical stresses in the strain gauge installation areas is presented. The influence of the loaded mass, the temperature of the rail, and the wheel position relative to the strain gauge location is considered. We also consider the possibility of using artificial neural networks to determine railroad cars’ weight without specifying the coordinates of the wheel position. The effect of noise in the data on the accuracy of determining the railroad car weight is considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway Infrastructure Resilience: Addressing Challenges and Ensuring Sustainability)
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