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27 pages, 1540 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Attitude on High-Speed Rail Technology Acceptance among Elderly Passengers in Urban and Rural Areas: A Multigroup SEM Analysis

by Adisorn Dangbut, Fareeda Watcharamaisakul, Thanapong Champahom, Sajjakaj Jomnonkwao, Panuwat Wisutwattanasak, Thanakorn Phojaem and Vatanavongs Ratanavaraha

Infrastructures 2024, 9(10), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9100174 - 3 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 694

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of the attitudes of the elderly on the acceptance of Thailand’s high-speed rail technology according to the technology readiness index (TRI) and technology acceptance model (TAM) theories as guidelines for policies or strategies to enhance passengers’ intentions to [...] Read more.

This study investigates the impact of the attitudes of the elderly on the acceptance of Thailand’s high-speed rail technology according to the technology readiness index (TRI) and technology acceptance model (TAM) theories as guidelines for policies or strategies to enhance passengers’ intentions to use high-speed rail. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 3200 elderly people aged over 60 years in the surveyed areas along high-speed rail routes in Thailand, before the use of statistical analysis and multigroup structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze variations in the participants’ attitudes toward urban and rural areas. The results that were thus obtained from both groups showed their differing attitudes toward the acceptance of technology. The TAM theory considers the attitude toward high-speed rail use in urban areas to be important, while, in rural areas, attitudes and perceived usefulness are important. With respect to the ease of use of high-speed rail, the most important factors were attitudes toward use and perceived usefulness. For the TRI theory, innovativeness features as the most positive influence on the perceived ease of high-speed rail use in both groups. Optimism and innovativeness were positive influences, but discomfort and insecurity carried a negative influence with respect to the perceived ease of use and usefulness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))

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19 pages, 1337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Success Factors and Partnership Evaluation of Air–Rail Integration Development: A Case of a High-Speed Rail Project Linking Three Airports in Thailand

by Waralee Rattanakijsuntorn, Benyapa Suwannarat, Nitchamol Samittivate and Chanuwat Nithikittiwat

Infrastructures 2024, 9(7), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9070115 - 18 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1170

Abstract

As the air–rail integration continues to emerge around the globe, the successful and maintainable implementation of such schemes can be influenced by many factors within administrative, social, infrastructural, and economic aspects. With the existing airport rail link system that shifted from air–rail integration [...] Read more.

As the air–rail integration continues to emerge around the globe, the successful and maintainable implementation of such schemes can be influenced by many factors within administrative, social, infrastructural, and economic aspects. With the existing airport rail link system that shifted from air–rail integration at beginning to air–rail cooperation at present, this work aims to assess the success factors of air–rail integration development in Thailand and evaluate the partnership level required to achieve a long-term and indefinite horizon of relationship based on an ongoing airport rail link project in the country. The factor assessment results from using fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) revealed different perspectives from regulators and operators, while directing the high influence of administrative, economic, and infrastructural factors. The partnership evaluation suggested the highest level of partnership; although, the operators still express doubt whether the competitive advantages incurred from the partnership and the partnership itself would be sustainable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))

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31 pages, 10417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stresses in Saturated and Unsaturated Subgrade Layer Induced by Railway Track Vibration

by Mohammed Y. Fattah, Qutaiba G. Majeed and Hasan H. Joni

Infrastructures 2024, 9(4), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9040064 - 25 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1530

Abstract

The theoretical and practical studies of the cyclic loads resulting from the movement and passage of trains on the unsaturated subgrade to determine the effect of the degree of saturation and moisture content on the foundations and infrastructure of the railway lines, especially [...] Read more.

The theoretical and practical studies of the cyclic loads resulting from the movement and passage of trains on the unsaturated subgrade to determine the effect of the degree of saturation and moisture content on the foundations and infrastructure of the railway lines, especially the settlement in the railway lines as a result of the development of the train loads. Thirty-six laboratory experiments were carried out using models that simulate a railway with nearly half the scale of the real one, using an iron box of (1.5 × 1.0 × 1.0) meters and a layer of clay soil with a thickness of 0.5 m representing the base layer, were constructed inside it. Above it, there is a layer of crushed stone representing a 0.2 m thick ballast, topped by a rail line of 0.8 m long installed on three sleeper beams with dimensions of 0.9 m (0.1 × 0.1 m). The subgrade layer has been constructed at different saturation degrees as follows: 100, 80, 70, and 60%. The tests were carried out using different load amplitudes and frequencies. These experiments investigated the effect of the subgrade degree of saturation on the value of the stresses generated on the surface and the middle (vertical and lateral stresses) and the settlement of the subgrade. In the case of unsaturated subgrade soil, an increase in load frequency has a clear effect on increasing the generated stresses in the subgrade layer, especially with lower saturation levels. However, the results and measurements of these experiments found that the load frequency almost had no effect on the values of the stresses generated on the surface and inside the subgrade layer with a 100% degree of saturation. The results of the investigation demonstrated that, while load frequency had a minimal effect on track-panel settlement, it increased with the load amplitude and subgrade soil saturation degree. The change of settlement of the track panel with the number of cycles has a high rate at the beginning; after a while from that, it decreases gradually until, after some value of the number of cycles, the settlement changes at a very low rate and gradually. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))

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15 pages, 3460 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Concept of a Universal Tram Driver Console with Interchangeable Panels for a Polish Tram Simulator

by Artur Kierzkowski, Łukasz Wolniewicz, Algimantas Danilevičius, Ewa Mardeusz, Maciej Kin, Łukasz Bakinowski, Dawid Barabasz and Przemysław Wielkopolan

Infrastructures 2024, 9(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9030041 - 24 Feb 2024

Viewed by 2116

Abstract

This paper presents a concept for a universal tram driver console that has been developed based on research results regarding the review of tram control panels. These efforts were carried out as part of the project “Innovative training system for tram drivers, based [...] Read more.

This paper presents a concept for a universal tram driver console that has been developed based on research results regarding the review of tram control panels. These efforts were carried out as part of the project “Innovative training system for tram drivers, based on a full-cab simulator with the application of cognitive science” POIR.01.01.01-00-0135/22, with funding from the Smart Growth Operational Programme. This project involves the development of a tram driver training system based on a full-cabin tram simulator mounted on a motion platform, integrated with eye-tracking technologies and skin conductance response analysis for tram drivers’ assessment. The presented research results regarding the development of a universal control panel structure for a tram simulator have led to the creation of a panel based on interchangeable panels. The arrangement of individual switches was determined based on the identification, selection, critical evaluation, and analysis of data from current solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))

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19 pages, 1112 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Generic Component for Analytic Hierarchy Process-Based Decision Support and Its Application for Postindustrial Area Management

by Marcin Michalak, Jacek Bagiński, Andrzej Białas, Artur Kozłowski and Marek Sikora

Infrastructures 2024, 9(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures9010002 - 20 Dec 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2079

Abstract

This paper presents a generic component for Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-based decision support in risk management. The component was originally dedicated to railway transportation issues; however, its generality enabled it to extend its functionality for other domains too. To show the generality of [...] Read more.

This paper presents a generic component for Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-based decision support in risk management. The component was originally dedicated to railway transportation issues; however, its generality enabled it to extend its functionality for other domains too. To show the generality of the module and possibility of its application in other domains, an environmental case was run. Its goal was to select methods for planning the post-mining heap revitalization process, especially decision-making focusing on the selection of the most advantageous revitalization option on the basis of the Analytic Hierarchy Process and different, non-financial factors, e.g., social, environmental, technological, political, etc. Taking into account expert responses, the suggested solution was related to energy production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))

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23 pages, 9394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improvements in Urban Rapid Transit Boarding and Alighting Safety during System Modernization

by Igor Gisterek and Adam Hyliński

Infrastructures 2023, 8(12), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures8120179 - 15 Dec 2023

Viewed by 2542

Abstract

Urban rail transport has advantages that determine its particular usefulness. However, despite decades of technical development, it is still difficult to speak about satisfactory solutions. Safe, independent access to this transport and public infrastructure for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) is an essential [...] Read more.

Urban rail transport has advantages that determine its particular usefulness. However, despite decades of technical development, it is still difficult to speak about satisfactory solutions. Safe, independent access to this transport and public infrastructure for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) is an essential element of civil rights and an interesting subject of scientific research. In relation to that, the interface between rail vehicle and platform, despite multiple efforts aiming at improving this situation, is one of the hardest problems to overcome. This paper presents a summary and analyses of distinctive features of selected transit systems that are interesting from the viewpoint of finding various solutions to improve the safety of passengers on platforms. This analysis led to preparation of a new, improved standard of the vehicle–platform interface, illustrated with an example of the city of Wrocław, as discussed further in this paper. Some of the main conclusions of this paper are that insufficient progress has been made with developing the vehicle–platform interface, there are a multitude of systems and ways of (more or less effectively) ensuring independent access for PRM, and further research and development work is needed to optimize engineering solutions in this domain so they are both sustainable and economical. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))

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21 pages, 2232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation Methodology of the Railway Stations Using the AHP Method in the Transport Hubs from the Freight Transport Point of View

by Adrián Šperka, Juraj Čamaj, Milan Dedík and Zdenka Bulková

Infrastructures 2023, 8(12), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures8120177 - 10 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2251

Abstract

Currently, it is necessary to support not only public passenger transport at the expense of individual car transport but also to ensure the modal split of goods from road transport to railway transport. Moreover, it is important to modernize the railway infrastructure, especially [...] Read more.

Currently, it is necessary to support not only public passenger transport at the expense of individual car transport but also to ensure the modal split of goods from road transport to railway transport. Moreover, it is important to modernize the railway infrastructure, especially hubs and other important railway stations in important settlements and big cities. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly invest in railway lines as well as railway stations. The contribution deals with the determination of the methodology for the evaluation of railway stations in freight transport based on current scientific publications and the AHP method. Its main goal is to determine the size of the peak on the network-railway station on the infrastructure manager’s railway network. One of the benefits is the subsequent determination of the next procedure from the given peak in terms of operation, considering the economic complexity of the entire procedure. The methodology is preceded by an extensive analysis of input data in Slovakia and abroad. This methodology defines the parameters or factors that influence decisions for a particular railway freight station. Subsequently, based on the proposed methodology, a practical application is also developed, within which four railway stations on the ŽSR network are evaluated. In a broader sense, the contribution also points to improving the quality of railway infrastructure in cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))

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Review

Jump to: Research

13 pages, 505 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Potential Role of Railway Stations and Public Transport Nodes in the Development of “15-Minute Cities”

by Michał Wolański

Infrastructures 2023, 8(10), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures8100141 - 5 Oct 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3156

Abstract

In 2016, Carlos Moreno proposed the concept of “15-minute cities” based on the principles of proximity, diversity, density, and ubiquity. In fact, he re-formulated (“re-invented”) some of the already existing planning principles, making them recognized and desired by non-professionals. Moreno, however, paid little [...] Read more.

In 2016, Carlos Moreno proposed the concept of “15-minute cities” based on the principles of proximity, diversity, density, and ubiquity. In fact, he re-formulated (“re-invented”) some of the already existing planning principles, making them recognized and desired by non-professionals. Moreno, however, paid little attention to the external connectivity of neighborhoods, assuming that most needs would be satisfied locally. This paper aims to discuss the concept of “15-minute cities” from the transport planning point of view and investigate how the concept can contribute to such planning. The research review conducted in this paper suggests that similar actions in the past caused a modal shift from the use of cars to public transport, rather than a radical limitation of total transport needs. To simplify, if a neighborhood is well designed, people are more likely to walk, ride a bike, and use public transport, but the majority will still commute outside of the neighborhood for work. In the metropolis of the ideal “15-minute city”, Barcelona, the majority of the inhabitants travel to work either by car or public transport, which proves that they need to move outside the neighborhood. This leads us to the conclusions that (1) “15-minute cities” should incorporate the transit-oriented development concept and include public transport nodes, such as railways or underground stations, as the central point of walkable, multifunctional neighborhoods, and (2) railway/underground station planners should pay more attention to the creation of a proper mix of services at and around the stations according to “15-minute cities” principles. In the future, there should also be more emphasis on re-allocating workplaces to neighborhoods, as well as on researching the actual impact of the (improved and current) “15-minute cities” design on transport volumes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Railway in the City (RiC))

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