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Highlights • We study high-speed rail travelers' train choices for revenue management purposes using online booking data. • A new metric for quantifying a transport product's attractiveness is proposed incorporating booking lead time. • We apply two nonparametric machine learning methods requiring no utility maximization assumption. • Performances of SVR and ANN are comparable, and both methods clearly outperform the benchmark method. • Choice preferences of travelers in the Shanghai-Beijing rail market in China are revealed for the first time. Abstract This study explores two nonparametric machine learning methods, namely support vector regression (SVR) and artificial neural networks (ANN), for understanding and predicting high-speed rail (HSR) travelers' choices of ticket purchase timings, train types, and travel classes, using ticket sales data. In the train choice literature, discrete choice analysis is the predominant approach and many variants of logit models have been developed. Alternatively, emerging travel choice studies adopt non-utility-based methods, especially nonparametric machine learning methods including SVR and ANN, because (1) those methods do not rely on assumptions on the relations between choices and explanatory variables or any prior knowledge of the underlying relations; (2) they have superb capabilities of iteratively identifying patterns and extracting rules from data. This paper thus contributes to the HSR train choice literature by applying and comparing SVR and ANN with a real-world case study of the Shanghai-Beijing HSR market in China. A new normalized metric capturing both the load factor and the booking lead time is proposed as the target variable and several train service attributes, such as day of week, departure time, travel time, fare, are identified as input variables. Computational results demonstrate that both SVR and ANN can predict the train choice behavior with high accuracy, outperforming the linear regression approach. Potential applications of this study, such as rail pricing reform, have also been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We propose an effective way of managing reliever gateways when catastrophe occurs. • We deal with the case where the airports are connected by the high speed rail. • The fare restriction of HSR is needed to regain sufficient passenger flow. • The fare support is effective to regain the passenger flow using reliever gateways. Abstract On the basis of model analysis, this study proposes an effective method for managing reliever gateway airports when the main gateway airport is completely dysfunctional owing to a catastrophe. In particular, we deal with the case where the main and reliever airports are connected by high-speed rail (HSR), and we discuss a desirable and effective support policy for regaining passenger flow from/to the affected area. First, we analyze the market behavior under the usual condition as the base case by adopting the bi-level model, which is a supply-demand interaction model. Second, under the supposition of a catastrophe, we set up some scenarios of management policies, i.e. (i) no special policy and (ii) providing support to HSR passengers to induce them to the reliever gateways. Through such scenario analyses, we show that (i) HSR fare restriction is required to regain sufficient passenger flow and (ii) providing fare support to HSR passengers is an effective way to regain passenger flow using reliever gateways, which can contribute toward building a robust air transport network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper quantifies the substitution and complementary effects of high-speed rail (HSR) on air travel demand in terms of both route traffic and airport enplanement. Employing the difference-in-differences (DID) method, the first part of the analysis measures the effect of new HSR routes on parallel air route traffic with a focus on East Asian regions (Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan). The second part examines the effect of air-HSR integration on passenger enplanement at East Asian airports and compares with that in the Central European market. We find that in general the airport's access cost (reflected by the distance from central city) has a negative impact on the air traffic. The substitution effects of HSR are the most significant on short- and medium-haul (below 1000 km) air routes while introducing HSR services has encouraged long distance (over 1000 km) air travels in Mainland China. The complementary effect is investigated in the context of air-HSR integration, which has significantly positive impacts on airport enplanement at primary hub airports when fitted with on-site HSR links. The benefit is limited at secondary hubs and regional airports possibly by locations and HSR service frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Hyperloop is a proposed new mode of transport in which passengers or freight would travel in pods through a vacuum tube at very high speeds, enough to cover a hypothetical route between San Francisco and Los Angeles’ metropolitan areas in just 35 minutes. Whereas the “time-space compression” brought by this new technology can have significant impacts in residents’ travel behaviour and household mobility, similar to those documented for high-speed rail, this paper investigates how the proposed California Hyperloop could expand airline passengers’ choice of airports for long-distance domestic trips. Using an established method to determine airport catchment areas based on flight frequencies, access times, and travel costs, we provide an exploratory analysis of how airport competition could change if a Hyperloop service was introduced. Our results clearly show that the California airport network will move towards a single airport system, with significant short-term leakage effects between major airports. These effects should be taken into consideration in the economic assessment of potential Hyperloop routes connecting major cities. Highlights • We explore the short-term impact of a Hyperloop service on airport competition. • We analysed airport catchment areas based on flight frequencies and travel costs. • A Hyperloop would move the Californian network towards a single airport system. • Significant short-term net passenger leakage from North to South California. • LAX, BUR, and OAK airports benefit, while SFO would lose the most passengers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of high-speed rail (HSR) networks is leading to a very complex situation in terms of network configuration and the variety of services. This new panorama presents very different feasible connections between city-pairs, multiplying the possibilities of travelling. This paper evaluates the characteristics of all city-pairs served by HSR in Spain through a clustering analysis, with the goal of deriving an HSR city-pair link typology. This assessment offers a new perspective on the HSR network as a multi-role system encompassing eight types of links with very different characteristics. Identifying these types of HSR links will be a useful transport-planning tool for emerging HSR networks to anticipate the different kinds of links they will encompass and for future HSR cities to foresee the possibility of benefiting from one or another type of link and adapting their policies and strategies according to their potential services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The rapid expansion of China's high-speed rail (HSR) networks presents an opportunity to make urban economies more consumer-oriented. Many commercial and business districts have been planned in the areas surrounding stations. This study examines and critiques the impacts of HSR on commercial land markets in Jiangsu: a pioneering province for HSR development in China. After considering various locational and contextual factors, this study focuses specifically on how HSR stations and the frequency of train services have affected the dynamics of commercial land markets, using a spatial panel approach. The results show that the opening of HSR services has significantly impacted trade volumes, while the frequency of train services has significantly affected trade prices. Further analysis shows variation in the impacts of HSR stations and train service frequency on commercial land markets between Jiangsu's developed south and less-developed central and northern sub-regions. The findings suggest that the study of HSR impacts is sensitive to the selected spatial scale. Moreover, HSR development may not result in the creation of dynamic commercial economies for every city. Consequently, locally based policies are needed to take advantage of the transport-induced opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A collision scene of high-speed train-moose collision was applied to the study. • A full finite element model of the moose was developed and validated. • Considering the impact on the pantograph after the obstacle was hit. • The collision force and trajectory of the moose after being hit were analyzed. Collisions between trains and moose that cross a track are common occurrences according to rail accident statistics. A moose lying on a track after a crash may increase the risk of train derailment. In addition, a moose thrown into the air during a collision may also hit and damage the pantograph, which prevents a train from running. This paper developed a finite element (FE) model of moose and is aimed at investigating the train crash safety and moose motion trajectory in train-moose collisions for different moose crossing scenarios using the FE method. Material biomechanics tests were conducted to obtain the mechanical property parameters of moose. Drop hammer impact tests were performed to validate the constitutive models of different moose segments. The whole moose FE model was verified against previous vehicle-moose crash tests. The numerical impact scenes of moose crossing the rail at different collision positions were established in LS-DYNA. The results showed that the impact force depends on the contact area between the train and the moose. A larger contact area corresponded to a larger impact force. The moose would be pushed away by the V-shaped locomotive and would not cause a derailment, and the height of the moose thrown into the air cannot reach the height of the pantograph, which would prevent damage to the pantograph of a bullet train. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the effects of high-speed rail (HSR) on household income inequalities in Italy at the province level. Gini index, both including and excluding rent expenses, is used as dependent variable to evaluate the effects of the policy in the timeframe 2003–2019. Two-way fixed-effects model is employed to measure the relationship, while augmented synthetic control with staggered treatment adoption, and staggered difference-in-differences explore the sensitivity of results. Main findings suggest a general reduction of inequalities among the provinces receiving HSR treatment, but the effect is not long-lasting many years over the policy outset. Heterogeneities arise depending on whether the station is basic-type or multimodal, and whether the treated province is core or intermediate. Small-sized provinces particularly benefited from the HSR introduction, showing a clear potential to pursue economic convergence objectives. Mechanisms analysis shows that HSR induced the reduction of household income inequalities by positively influencing per capita GDP and employment levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have shown that high-speed rail (HSR) can reshape the spatial pattern of economic geography. However, there needs to be more logical argumentation and rigorous empirical design on the paths and mechanisms involved. This paper considers the impact of the border effect on HSR links and innovation clusters from the perspective of inter-regional collaborative innovation. It provides a logical and compact theoretical framework for HSR to reshape the pattern of the economic geography of innovation and then give a data-based empirical test. Using a benchmark sample of 285 cities in China from 2001 to 2020, the paper empirically examines the impact of HSR links on collaborative innovation and its mechanism in different border samples. The results show that HSR can break through various types of regional borders, shorten the tangible and intangible distances between regions, and increase cross-regional collaborative innovation through three primary mechanisms: market integration, matching human capital, and activating innovation activities. The paper also inspires how to improve collaborative innovation in regions with economic, cultural, policy, and administrative borders in addition to traditional geographical borders and verifies the negative superposition effect of regional borders to provide adequate references for policymakers. • The HSR can provide opportunities for innovative cooperation between cities. • The HSR between cities breaks through regional boundaries. • Study heterogeneous boundary effects based on the theory of the center-periphery. • Research on the three main micro mechanisms of "sharing, learning and matching". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessibility assessment of High-speed rail (HSR) should not be limited to station-to-station analysis, since "first and last mile" transport is crucial. Economic costs, time value, and travel time volatility significantly impact travel decisions but are underexplored. We conducted a multidimensional analysis of the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the accessibility of HSR stations from the perspective of departing passengers. With data collected from the API of navigation software, measurement methods for static characteristics of accessibility, including time accessibility, economic accessibility, and generalized travel cost accessibility, and dynamic characteristics, were proposed. In terms of dynamic characteristics, the daily fluctuation and long-period fluctuation of travel time were quantified using coefficients of variation. The empirical analysis was carried out for three cities with different scales and transportation system compositions, which are Chengdu, Mianyang, and Leshan. Results reveal significant time and economic accessibility advantages for private and public transport, respectively. The time value at the equilibrium point of the generalized travel cost between the two modes is higher in larger cities, reflecting greater reliance on public connecting transport in metropolitan areas. Private transport has a greater accessibility advantage in the areas of the HSR station away from the core city, while public transport has a more prominent advantage in other cases. Negative correlation is observed between daily fluctuations and linear distance, with public transport exhibiting weaker but more extreme fluctuations. During peak hours, private transport displays greater volatility towards the core urban area. These findings have important policy implications for HSR station location decisions and the planning and operation of connecting transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Definition of two different pumping timing sequences in high temperature superconducting Maglev-evacuated tube transport (HTS Maglev-ETT). • Experimental study on the working conditions' effect on levitation and guidance force of HTS bulk in two sequences. • Explanation of the phenomenon based on pinning effect of HTS bulk. • Comparison of the performance between two sequences. • Providing some comments for the levitation launch steps design of the HTS Maglev-ETT application. As a part of high temperature superconducting Maglev-evacuated tube transport (HTS Maglev-ETT), ETT technology provides a potential new solution to realize the proposition of higher ground speed transportation. In this system, due to the low pressure caused by tube evacuation, the temperature of liquid nitrogen (LN 2) changes and ultimately affects the performance of HTS bulks. Considering the significant necessity to guarantee HTS Maglev-ETT operational stability and safety, this paper focuses on the levitation and guidance performance variations of YBCO bulks caused by the pumping sequence under low pressure. One working condition is to pump the air out during the field cooling stage before levitating the vehicle, defined as "evacuating and then levitating" (E-L case). The other working condition is to pump the air out after the field cooling stage when the vehicle is already levitated, defined as "levitating and then evacuating" (L-E case). Based on the superconducting maglev measurement system (SCML-01) and a self-developed ambient pressure-reducing platform, the working conditions' effect on levitation and guidance force in the two sequences above is experimentally explored. Simultaneously, the difference between the two sequences is also discussed specifically. For a larger levitation force, the E-L case with high field cooling height (FCH) and low working height (WH) is an efficient condition; The L-E case with low FCH and low WH is suitable for a larger guidance force. In addition, the two specific conditions perform better under lower air pressure. All these conclusions are anticipated to provide a reference for practical startup procedures and future engineering design of HTS Maglev-ETT systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate and efficient prediction method for noise emanating from rotating sources such as helicopter rotors and aircraft propellers, is presented. Combining bifurcation analysis of the retarded time equation with different emission surface topologies, a new Emission Porous Surface (EPS) algorithm has been developed. The algorithm can be used in the framework of hybrid methods that combine Computational Fluid Dynamics, for noise generation, and integral formulations for noise propagation. A panel-by-panel reconstruction of the supersonic emission surface is also proposed, which allows to manage an unstructured mesh. The noise prediction method is applied to the analysis of the UH1H rotor in strong shock delocalization conditions, a well known and extensively studied case of High Speed Impulsive (HSI) noise. The present results are compared with experimental and numerical data available in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The large-scale transnational HSR construction evaluation problem in the B&R region is studied. • An index of comprehensive cooperation between China and other countries is proposed. • A method for calculating the weighted travel time of all road sections in the B&R region is proposed. • A method for predicting the comprehensive cooperation index of different countries is proposed. • Two indexes are proposed to depict the importance of port cities and road sections in the B&R region. Abstract This study deals with the large-scale transnational high-speed railway construction evaluation problem, which is a major issue in implementing the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative. We proposed a method for the selection of the most urgent need for transnational high-speed railway construction in the B&R region, which was tested on massive experimental data. The results show that 18 sections in the B&R region have priority conditions to build high-speed railways in current situations, which to a great extent coincide with those road sections covered by high-speed railway projects under construction or to be put into construction in the B&R region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates, both theoretically and empirically, the effects of high-speed rail (HSR) speed on airline traffic and price, taking into account the degree of substitutability between the two services. Our model incorporates two countervailing effects of HSR speed, namely the “travel time” effect and the “safety” effect: while increasing HSR speed reduces HSR travel time, it may bring about a safety concern especially in emerging HSR markets such as China. Our theoretical analysis suggests that HSR speed impact on airline traffic and price depends on the relative dominance of the travel-time and safety effects, and air-HSR substitutability may reinforce the HSR speed effect. Furthermore, HSR speed has a larger impact on airline traffic than on airline price. Our empirical results from a rare natural experiment of HSR speed reduction in China show that HSR speed reduction raises both airline traffic and price, suggesting the dominance of travel-time effect. More importantly, consistent with the theoretical prediction, the HSR speed effect is empirically stronger on short-haul routes where the airline and HSR services are more substitutable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-driving is a traffic operation measure that may lead to important energy savings in high speed railway systems. Eco-driving optimization has been applied offline in the design of commercial services. However, the benefits of the efficient driving can also be applied on-line in the regulation stage to recover train delays or in general, to adapt the driving to the changing conditions in the line. In this paper the train regulation problem is stated as a dynamic multi-objective optimization model to take advantage in real time of accurate results provided by detailed train simulation. If the simulation model is realistic, the railway operator will be confident on the fulfillment of punctuality requirements. The aim of the optimization model is to find the Pareto front of the possible speed profiles and update it during the train travel. It continuously calculates a set of optimal speed profiles and, when necessary, one of them is used to substitute the nominal driving. The new speed profile is energy efficient under the changing conditions of the problem. The dynamic multi-objective optimization algorithms DNSGA-II and DMOPSO combined with a detailed simulation model are applied to solve this problem. The performance of the dynamic algorithms has been analyzed in a case study using real data from a Spanish high speed line. The results show that dynamic algorithms are faster tracking the Pareto front changes than their static versions. In addition, the chosen algorithms have been compared with the typical delay recovery strategy of drivers showing that DMOPSO provides 7.8% of energy savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the low-cost configuration of the lateral active suspension system for the high-speed train. First, the full-scale railway vehicle dynamics with 17-degree-of-freedom are introduced, where the actuator saturation, suspension deflection, and random and periodic track irregularities are considered. Then, based on the internal model principle, some classic active vibration control methods, e.g., the PID, positive position feedback, repetitive, and resonant controls, are unified as an internal model (IM)-based form and an IM-based resonant control is further presented. After that, to suppress various vibrations, three principles are presented to set the damping ratio and natural frequency of the IM-based resonant controller according to the properties of the controlled plant and/or the external disturbances. In consequence, an active suspension with the IM-based resonant controller is designed to improve the ride quality of the high-speed train, where the H\infty method is used to calculate the unique gain. Moreover, the configuration of the active suspension is low cost and consists of two independent control systems, where one control system only has a pair of actuators and an accelerometer. Finally, the random and periodic track irregularities are employed to show the efficiency of the proposed resonant-control-based active suspension by comparing with the linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) and H\infty controllers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Hyperloop is high-speed ground-based transportation system concept; a supersonic train line stretching across the country in airless tubes, which stands as competition for air, train, and car transportation for distances of travel from 200 to 1100 km. This paper concentrates on software - applied in the Hyperloop pod called Goose 3 [1], which was developed by the team from University of Waterloo [2] - Waterloop [3]. This paper is concentrated on roadblocks, that were faced during the design and development process; to be more specific - building a reliable and scalable infrastructure that allows for complete control of the pod throughout the launch. In the pod, electronics and software play a crucial role, as traveling at high velocities requires immediate response to real-time vehicle conditions obtained from sensors on-board, which raises it’s own unique challenges. This paper looks at the work completed by team Waterloop in areas of design of the electrical and software system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-Speed vehicles can be considered as multiple mobile nodes that move together in a large-scale mobile network. High-speed makes the time allowed for a mobile node to complete a handover procedure shorter and more frequently. Hence, several protocols are used to manage the mobility of mobile nodes such as Network Mobility (NEMO). However, there are still some problems such as high handover latency and packet loss. So efficient handover management is needed to meet Quality of Service (QoS) requirements for real-time applications. This paper utilizes the cross-layer seamless handover technique for network mobility presented in cellular networks. It extends this technique to propose QoS-aware NEMO protocol which considers QoS requirements for real-time applications. A novel analytical framework is developed to compare the performance of the proposed protocol with basic NEMO using cost functions for realistic city mobility model. The numerical results show that QoS-aware NEMO protocol improves the performance in terms of handover latency, packet delivery cost, location update cost, and total cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trains with different numbers of cars running in the open air were simulated using the delayed detached-eddy simulation (DDES). The numbers of cars included in the simulation are 3, 4, 5 and 8. The aim of this study was to investigate how train length influences the boundary layer, the wake flow, the surface pressure, the aerodynamic drag and the friction drag. To certify the accuracy of the mesh and methods, the drag coefficients from numerical simulation of trains with 3 cars were compared with those from the wind tunnel test, and agreement was obtained. The results show that the boundary layer is thicker and the wake vortices are less symmetric as the train length increases. As a result, train length greatly affects pressure. The upper surface pressure of the tail car reduced by 2.9%, the side surface pressure of the tail car reduced by 8.3% and the underneath surface pressure of the tail car reduced by 19.7% in trains that included 3 cars to those including 8 cars. In addition, train length also has a significant effect on the friction drag coefficient and the drag coefficient. The friction drag coefficient of each car in a configuration decreases along the length of the train. In a comparison between trains consisting of 3 cars to those consisting of 8 cars, the friction drag coefficient of the tail car reduced by 8.6% and the drag coefficient of the tail car reduced by 3.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electromagnetic levitation system is commonly used in the field of magnetic levitation system train. Magnetic levitation technology is one of the most promised issue of transportation and precision engineering. Magnetic levitation systems are free of problems caused by friction, wear, sealing and lubrication. In this paper, a new prototype of the magnetic levitation system is proposed, designed and successfully tested via SIMLAB platform in real time. In addition, the proposed system was implemented with an efficient controller, which is linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) and compared with a classical controller which is proportional-integral-derivative (PID). The present system has been tested with two different criteria: signal test and load test under different input signals which are Sine wave and Squar wave. The findings prove that the suggested levitation system reveals a better performance than conventional one. Moreover, the LQR controller produced a great stability and optimal response compared to PID controller used at same system parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking the opening of high-speed rail (HSR) as a quasi-natural experiment, this study adopts a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) method for investigating the impact of HSR on green development with the panel dataset including 281 cities in China from 2006 to 2019. According to the empirical results, HSR can facilitate green development, which holds by a series of robustness tests. HSR tends to exert a greater effect on green development in urban agglomeration cities and non-resource-based cities. Further analysis reveals that HSR can improve green development by fostering service industries' agglomeration and urbanization. In addition, the spatial spillover effect of HSR on green development is also confirmed. Our researches offer recommendations to enhance the development of HSR network and to improve the policies related to green development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clarifying the relationship between high-speed rail (HSR) and a city's carbon emissions is the critical premise behind transportation decarbonization and China's carbon target. Based on HSR's operational data, total carbon emissions data, and socio-economic statistics, this study examines how HSR affects a city's carbon emissions and the varying effects among different categories of cities using the Spatial Difference-In-Difference model from both static and dynamic perspectives. HSR would decrease a city's carbon emissions through the scale effect under the influence of the complex external and internal environment and the resulting uncertainty, with both substitution and stimulation. We find that, at the static level, the operation of HSR in cities with HSR stations, can statistically reduce carbon emissions by 0.58% at the 1% level. It also reduces the carbon emissions of neighboring cities' to a greater extent through the spillover effect, which is characterized by being multi-directional and multi-processed. The dynamic effect of HSR is related to its three-stage phase development, including the start-up phase, the expansion phase, and the intensification phase, which is characterized by a significant time lag. The intensity of HSR's carbon reduction effect on cities tends to increase initially and then decrease, as the HSR network improves and gradually reaches saturation. The impact of HSR on a city's carbon emissions varies with city characteristics, including economic growth, industrial structure, and city population. These findings can theoretically and empirically support the carbon reduction effect of HSR, and provide important decision-making reference for HSR construction driven by China's carbon target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Service reliability of the high-speed rail ballastless track structure. • The effect of wavelength distribution characteristics of the track irregularities. • An improved response surface method and an explicit solution of serviceability limit state the function of the ballastless track. • The improved response surface method can adaptively adjust the variable interpolation coefficient to increase the iterative convergence speed. The spectral feature of the track irregularity has a great impact on the running stability of high-speed trains. This study assesses the service reliability of the high-speed rail (HSR) ballastless track structure considering the effect of wavelength distribution characteristics of the track irregularities. The serviceability limit state (SLS) function of the ballastless track is established with respect to the derailment coefficient and wheel-unloading rate. To overcome the problem of high computational cost in the iteration of reliability assessment for the vehicle-track system, this study proposes an improved response surface method (RSM) and the explicit solution of the SLS function of the ballastless track can be realized. Compared with the traditional RSM, the improved RSM can adaptively adjust the variable interpolation coefficient to increase the iterative convergence speed. To obtain the vertical and lateral wheel-rail forces, a 3-D vehicle-track coupling model is established based on multibody dynamics and the finite element method (FEM). To analyze the wavelength effect of the track irregularities, a binary wavelet-based inversion algorithm is proposed to generate time series of both the vertical and alignment irregularities from the track irregularity spectrum (TIS). By comparing it with the MCS method, it is found that by using the improved RSM method, the convergence condition of the reliability index can be satisfied only by tens of iterations and the total computation time is 1.92 × 104 shorter than using MCS. Finally, the effect of different wavelengths of the track irregularity on the service reliability of track structure is discussed. The results show that the wavelength of 32 to 64 m is the main unfavorable wavelength range affecting the track service reliability under the normal operation condition of HSR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study empirically examines the effects of high-speed rail (HSR) projects on individual happiness by matching city-level HSR data with individual-level happiness data. This study finds that the opening of an HSR project can promote individual happiness, with a coefficient of 0.076. This study constructs instrumental variables, namely, urban slope and area, and performs a series of robustness checks to address the potential omitted variable bias. Results show that in the study of happiness, the omitted variables of the HSR project are less biased. Further analysis reveals that provincial capitals, individuals with a rural hukou, men, the elderly, and healthy individuals are likely to benefit from the HSR project. In addition, the HSR project can improve the happiness of residents through the environment, commodity prices, and income. This study provides a new perspective on the tradeoff between the costs and benefits of HSR projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the analysis of site monitoring results from a high-speed railway tunnel excavated in shallowly buried soft ground with irregular surface topography using the cross diaphragm method. The surface and subsurface settlements, the normal pressures between surrounding ground and primary lining and between primary and secondary linings were systematically monitored at three tunnel cross sections. The specific surface settlement characteristics associated with tunnelling under irregular surface topography conditions in comparison to those under horizontal surface conditions are illustrated. The “rebound” phenomenon of a relative settlement curve from the intermediate anchor to the top of the access tube is observed, which can be introduced to determine the stability of a tunnel project during construction. The normal pressures measured between the soft ground and the primary lining show close agreement with the theoretical analysis results. The normal pressures measured between the primary lining and the secondary lining should be used before the influences of cell installation effects and other related factors have been considered. But the pressure measurements can still provide valuable information of a tunnel project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the impacts of Madrid-Seville High-Speed Rail (HSR) on land-cover change in the five HSR connected cities – Madrid, Ciudad Real, Puertollano, Cordoba, and Seville. The analysis period ranges from 1991 to 2006. The study finds that, in the Madrid-Seville region, the land development process concentrates mostly toward the two largest cities, Madrid and Seville, while other smaller HSR served cities are also benefited. The process of land development in each city varies largely. HSR contributes more to Ciudad Real and Cordoba than to Puertollano, with booming urban development in the former two cities. To study the accessibility impacts of HSR, binary discrete choice models are adopted. The results suggest that, the land development in smaller cities can be mainly explained by the improvement of regional accessibility and population growth. However, to model the urban development process in Madrid and Seville, the inputs with only accessibility and population are not sufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

There have been extensive studies on the monetary valuations for the transit service attributes such as fares, frequency, and in- and out-of-vehicle time. On the contrary, five categories of the elements relating to tangible, comfort, convenience, customer care, and safety and security have not been sufficiently evaluated. This paper explored the valuations based on the service improvements of Korean high-speed rail. The survey for attribute selection identified 11 user-tailored items for the betterment. Factors pertinent to comfort were predominantly preferred. Subsequently, choice experiments were conducted in the form of train-type choices. Binary logit models were then specified and estimated using the data collected. Monetary values were obtained in both individual attributes and a service bundle. Policy implications were also investigated in terms of price discriminations. The direction for future studies, particularly in examining user heterogeneity, was finally suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents a 0–1 programming model aimed at obtaining the optimal inventory policy and transportation mode for maintenance spare parts of high-speed trains. To obtain the model parameters for occasionally-replaced spare parts, a demand estimation method based on the maintenance strategies of China’s high-speed railway system is proposed. In addition, we analyse the shortage time using PERT, and then calculate the unit time shortage cost from the viewpoint of train operation revenue. Finally, a real-world case study from Shanghai Depot is conducted to demonstrate our method. Computational results offer an effective and efficient decision support for inventory managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the influence of the pantograph fixing position on aerodynamic characteristics of high-speed trains, the aerodynamic models of high-speed trains with eight cars were established based on the theory of computational fluid dynamics, and eight cases with pantographs fixed on different positions and in different operational orientations were considered. The pantographs were fixed on the front or the rear end of the first middle car or fixed on the front or the rear end of the last middle car. The external flow fields of the high-speed trains were numerically simulated using the software STAR-CCM+. The results show that the pantograph fixing position has little effect on the aerodynamic drag force of the head car and has a large effect on the aerodynamic drag force of the tail car. The influences of the pantograph fixing position on the aerodynamic lift forces of the head car, tail car and pantographs are obvious. Among the eight cases, considering the total aerodynamic drag force of the train and the aerodynamic lift force of the lifted pantograph, when the pantographs are fixed on the rear end of the last middle car and the lifted pantograph is in the knuckle-upstream orientation, the aerodynamic performance of the high-speed train is the best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relocation of 400,000 Beijing municipal employees to Tongzhou promises to reduce congestion and pollution in the city center. Further, the relocation could facilitate economic cooperation and integration of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei megaregion. Together, these initiatives can help make Beijing and Northern China more resilient, though critical issues of the connectivity of Tongzhou to the rest of Beijing and the megaregion need to be addressed. This paper focuses on two questions related to the success of these efforts: (1) How many additional commuters can be expected to use the existing subway stations in Tongzhou as a result of the relocation; and (2) How can Tongzhou be better connected to the megaregion's high-speed rail network and a major airport. To answer the first question, a GIS-based model was used to analyze subway ridership data to estimate changes in rush hour commuters at Tongzhou's subway stations under three scenarios. The results estimate substantial increases in commuters unless large proportions of the workers move their residences to Tongzhou. To answer the second question, a Moving Platform Infrastructure Network (MPIN) was conceptualized as an innovative alternative to provide needed access to high-speed rail and a major airport. The resulting MPIN provides fast and environmentally sensitive connections, while potentially reducing congestion at the Beijing South railway station. In addition, the MPIN concept could be used in other parts of the megaregion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new approach is developed to ensure the stability of the coefficient of friction at different braking modes for the entire speed range of braking high-speed ground transport. The new approach is a combination of friction materials with individual effort effects on the brake disc. A brake pad design and its performance are confirmed experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the implementation of the patient-mobility policy and the development of intercity transportation in China, interprovincial patient mobility has become an important phenomenon. However, little is known whether or to what extent intercity transportation reshapes the delivery of high-quality health care. This study mapped the accessibility of 41,259 township-level divisions to 1152 tertiary hospitals in multiple patient-mobility scenarios according to whether to seek interprovincial health care and whether to adopt intercity transportation. Our analysis included different transportation systems, such as conventional rail, high-speed rail (HSR), and air transport. Then the geographical detector model was used to contrast the spatial influences of different accessibility patterns on mortality. Our results show that HSR had the largest influence on the utilization of high-quality health care, while air transport was statistically insignificant. HSR can promote the equitable distribution of high-quality health care in that HSR decreases the Gini index and urban-rural disparity in accessibility by 9.52% and 13.25%, respectively. Further, a synergistic effect exists between the intercity transportation and the patient-mobility policy, which could reduce the Gini index and urban-rural disparity in accessibility by an additional 5.07% and 22.50%, respectively. Achieving high-quality universal health coverage relies on sustainable transportation policies and services. • The impact of intercity transportation on the delivery of high-quality health care. • Intercity transportation can promote health equity and narrow the urban-rural disparities. • High-speed rail has the most significant impact. • There is a synergistic effect between intercity transportation and the patient-mobility policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement asphalt emulsion (CA) mortar is a key material in the nonballast slab track. Its properties are largely dependent on the compatibility between asphalt emulsion and cement. The mixing stability of asphalt emulsion with cement is investigated by analyzing the viscosity of CA paste. Viscosity and the critical particle volume fraction of CA paste are proposed as indexes in evaluating the mixing stability of asphalt emulsion with cement, and factors influencing the mixing stability of asphalt emulsion are studied. Mixing stability is dependent on mixing method, superplasticizer, and emulsion type. The premixing cement method, superplasticizer, and good asphalt emulsion can increase the critical particle volume fraction of CA paste, which is helpful in achieving a low water–to–cement mass ratio (W/C). Anionic emulsion has much better mixing stability with cement than does cationic emulsion. The critical particle volume fraction of CA pastes with anionic emulsion increases stably with the mass ratio of asphalt emulsion to cement (AE/C), but the critical particle volume fraction of CA pastes with cationic emulsion increases little with AE/C. This work proposes a method for choosing an asphalt emulsion with good mixing stability, and provides methods to improve the mixing stability of asphalt emulsion with cement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of a nation-wide high-speed rail (HSR) network has emerged as a hugely expensive and ambitious infrastructure project in China. As of December 2012, some 8,800 kilometers (km) of double-track HSR lines came into service in the country, accounting for 40% of the total HSR length in the world. The network is expected to expand to 34,000 km or longer in around two decades. As the first HSR system specially built and operated in an economically developing country, it helps integrate the sprawling economy and lift the quality of life of the increasing urban population. China's experiences in HSR are expected to be of value to other countries aiming to adopt bullet train systems, especially those at a similar level of industrialization and urbanization. This work specifically examines material stocks and flows associated with the HSR infrastructure construction in China. A major distinction from the construction of HSR tracks in Europe is that nearly 70% of the HSR tracks in China are laid upon bridges or inside tunnels, which are structures that demand great amounts of raw materials. The entire network, once completed by 2030, will cumulatively require 83 to 137 million tonnes (Mt) of steel and 560 to 920 Mt of cement. This is still a small share of China's use of material resources. Nonetheless, the massive application of the steel- and cement-intensive structures deserves consideration when assessing the environmental performance of HSR over its entire life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the proposal of magnetic levitation system as a future mode of transportation which can lift streamlined vehicles in the U.S. Since automobile is the major mode of self transit nowadays but due to problems brought by automobiles including air pollution, heavy traffic of freeways and higher death and injury cases. Through these existing problems occurred, it is desirable to have other available options for mode of transportation. Thus the two noncontact suspensions including tracked air cushion vehicle and magnetic levitation vehicle was proposed to be operated that are specifically attractive for their capacity to move at high speeds of more than 300 miles per hour which is operated among urban centers that provided a safe, smooth ride and pollution free.

• Propose a novel two-city spatial equilibrium model with consideration of the high-speed rail (HSR) station location. • Investigate eight urban spatial structures of micropolis due to the diversity of station locations. • Obtain insights into how technical and socioeconomic parameters affect the model solution. • Conduct a case study of fifty city pairs in China. This paper aims to provide some new insights into the impacts of high-speed rail (HSR) on urban spatial structure. A two-city spatial equilibrium model is proposed to investigate the subtle effects of HSR station location on urban spatial structure, households' location choices of work and residence, and housing rents across the two cities (one metropolis with higher wages, another micropolis with lower wages). We systematically analyze and summarize eight spatial structures for micropolis, as a result of a great diversity of station locations. The conditions and analytic solutions of each structure are derived. It is shown that the HSR station of micropolis closer to metropolis may decrease the number of metropolis residents. The effects on intercity and intracity commuting depend on endogenous urban spatial structure. Numerical results from an example and a case study conducted for fifty city pairs in China, illustrate and verify our analyses and findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]