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In this paper, the cabin noise of four airport express rail systems, namely the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport MRT, the Hong Kong Airport Express, RER B service from Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and the Shanghai Maglev, have been measured. These four airport express rail systems have different specifications and maximum speeds, ranging from 100 to 300 km/h. The results show a significant low-frequency noise content below 100 Hz, which would not be captured if the measurements were conducted in dB(A). The difference between Leq in terms of dB(C) and dB(A) ranges from 11.3 to 17.0 dB. The maximum speed of the Taoyuan Airport MRT was found to be the lowest at 100 km/h and with the lowest Leq in terms of 66.4 dB(A) and 81.4 dB(C). The Shanghai Maglev has a maximum speed of 300 km/h but a relatively low Leq of 69.7 dB(A), although its top speed is almost three times the maximum of the other airport rail systems. It also has the lowest Lmax of 73.1 dB(A) among the four rail systems. Moreover, the Paris RER B railway system, with its top speed of 120 km/h, was measured to have the highest Leq and Lmax values of 72.8 dB(A) and 83.8 dB(A), respectively.

Transportation infrastructure and market integration play an important role in building China’s new development pattern of dual circulation. Taking 220 cities in 19 urban agglomerations in China as the study sample, this study analyzes the impact of rapid transit development on urban economic growth from 2008 to 2019 and examines the heterogeneity of the difference in market integration capability in promoting urban economic growth based on the two-way fixed effects model. The main conclusions are as follows: 1) the improvement of travel convenience brought about by the development of expressways and high-speed railways significantly promoted urban economic growth; 2) market integration has significantly restricted the promotion of the construction of expressways and high-speed railways to urban economic growth. In other words, cities with less market integration have greater economic benefits from expressway and high-speed railway construction; 3) there is a certain substitution of the role of expressways and high-speed railways in promoting urban economic growth, and for cities that already have a relatively complete expressway network, further construction of high-speed railways will inhibit the promotion effect of expressway development on urban economic growth; 4) expressway and market integration have a stronger role in promoting urban economic growth in the eastern region than in the central and western regions, while high-speed railway and market integration promote the economic growth in the eastern region, and the impact on economic growth in the central and western regions is not significant. The findings of this study have implications for optimizing the planning of expressway and high-speed railway construction and promoting high-quality regional development in China and other developing countries.

The application of directed energy to spacecraft mission design is explored using rapid transit to Mars as the design objective. An Earth-based laser array of unprecedented size (10 m diameter) and power (100 MW) is assumed to be enabled by ongoing developments in photonic laser technology. A phased-array laser of this size and incorporating atmospheric compensation would be able to deliver laser power to spacecraft in cislunar space, where the incident laser is focused into a hydrogen heating chamber via an inflatable reflector. The hydrogen propellant is then exhausted through a nozzle to realize specific impulses of 3000 s. The architecture is shown to be immediately reusable via a burn-back maneuver to return the propulsion unit while still within range of the Earth-based laser. The ability to tolerate much greater laser fluxes enables realizing the combination of high thrust and high specific impulse, making this approach favorable in comparison to laser-electric propulsion and occupying a parameter space similar to gas-core nuclear thermal rockets (without the requisite reactor). The heating chamber and its associated regenerative cooling and propellant handling systems are crucial elements of the design that receive special attention in this study. The astrodynamics and the extreme aerocapture maneuver required at Mars arrival after a 45-day transit are also analyzed in detail. The application of laser-thermal propulsion as an enabling technology for other rapid transit missions in the solar system and beyond is discussed. • High-efficiency laser-thermal propulsion enables fast interplanetary missions. • Single 10-m wide, 100 MW laser array on ground can power a 45-day transit to Mars. • Slower missions benefit from 10 × increase in payload mass versus chemical propulsion. • Design of thrust chamber, cooling system and laser reflector is considered in detail. • Unprecedented mass to power ratios of 0.01 kg/kW or less may be achievable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the cabin noise of four airport express rail systems, namely the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport MRT, the Hong Kong Airport Express, RER B service from Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and the Shanghai Maglev, have been measured. These four airport express rail systems have different specifications and maximum speeds, ranging from 100 to 300 km/h. The results show a significant low-frequency noise content below 100 Hz, which would not be captured if the measurements were conducted in dB(A). The difference between L e q in terms of dB(C) and dB(A) ranges from 11.3 to 17.0 dB. The maximum speed of the Taoyuan Airport MRT was found to be the lowest at 100 km/h and with the lowest L e q in terms of 66.4 dB(A) and 81.4 dB(C). The Shanghai Maglev has a maximum speed of 300 km/h but a relatively low L e q of 69.7 dB(A), although its top speed is almost three times the maximum of the other airport rail systems. It also has the lowest L m a x of 73.1 dB(A) among the four rail systems. Moreover, the Paris RER B railway system, with its top speed of 120 km/h, was measured to have the highest L e q and L m a x values of 72.8 dB(A) and 83.8 dB(A), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have focused on the potential influence of land-use and built-environment features around rapid-transit stations (e.g. heavy or light rail or bus rapid-transit) as key determinants or mediators of patronage. Many find statistically significant associations, yet their effects are relatively weak as compared to demographic, socio-economic, service quality, and larger-scale network accessibility factors. Yet most studies have ignored areas surrounding stops on bus lines that feed into rapid-transit stations. This study examines Los Angeles's multimodal transit network to understand how walkability around feeder bus-stops might affect boardings at LA Metro's rapid-transit stations. A multilevel generalized linear model is implemented and fitted with bus-stop walkability data and relevant controls to explain the number of linked person-trips from feeder bus-stops to rapid-transit stations and how this might be associated with land use and design characteristics around feeder bus stops. Results indicate a weak but statistically significant influence and policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, rapid rail transit systems have played a unique role in transportation systems due to the demand increase in accommodating passengers. This study proposes a simulation–optimization method to improve the resiliency of the train timetable in rapid transit rail lines under uncertainty associated with the passenger flow and train running times. The aim is to evaluate the resiliency of the train timetable through a discrete-event simulation (DES) model and to provide an optimized schedule with the maximum degree of resiliency against random disruptions caused by passenger flow fluctuations. The problem is first formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model. The validity of the DES model is justified using convergence test analysis of the response variable, i.e., average passenger wait time, during the simulation run. Due to the complexity of the problem, a variable neighborhood search (VNS) and a genetic algorithm (GA) are proposed to solve large instances of the problem. A self-adaptive tuning approach is proposed to adjust the GA parameters. The benefit of the simulation–optimization approach is verified through numerical experiments based on real cases adopted from Line No. 1 of the Tehran underground metro system. The results indicate that the simulation-based optimization method could improve the resiliency of train services by almost 16.7%, on average, as against the all-stop service operation. The average improvement of using VNS as against the GA is about 47%. Also, VNS method provides better-quality solutions by average optimality gap of about 14% in all test instances when compared to an exact solution method, i.e., branch-and-reduce algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the Canada Line rapid rail transit project in Vancouver, British Columbia, a decade after its completion and the 2010 Winter Olympic Games for which it was accelerated. The case resides at the intersection of two project classes with well-documented patterns of underperformance: transit mega-projects and sporting mega-events. Beyond connecting a number of Vancouver 2010 venues, the Canada Line is notable for its use of a public-private partnership procurement (PPP) model, as well as the significant real estate development seen nearby. In particular, the article focuses on outcomes classified under three headings: procurement model, community impact, and land use impact. Prior to providing avenues for future research, this article finds that while the PPP model avoided substantial cost overrun risks, the lucrative operational concession was where the growth coalition pushing the project was able to make it sufficiently attractive for private partners, while externalizing cost on third-parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present era, rapid transits are one of the most affordable means of public transport with various useful integrated application systems. The majority of the integrated applications are deployed in concern over safety and precautionary measures against the worst side-effects of unfortunate emergencies. For such cases, high-end reliable and autonomous systems provide possible positive solutions. Wireless Sensor Network is one of the suitable choices for rapid transit applications to gain positive results with inexpensive implementation cost. However, managing few network consequences like fault tolerance, energy balancing and routing critical informative packets are considered to be the challenging task due to their limited resource usage restriction. In this paper, a novel fuzzy logic-based fault tolerance and instant synchronized routing technique have been proposed specifically for the rapid transit system. On utilizing the fuzzy logic concepts, most of the computational complexities and uncertainties of the system is reduced. The central thematic of the proposed design is concerned over the synchronized routing and permanent faults which abruptly depicts the non-functional nature of the sensor nodes during normal operations. Moreover, our proposed simulation outcomes proved to be improvised evidence on obtaining maximum packet delivery ratio which tends to handle an emergency situation in the compartments of rapid transits.

In the present era, rapid transits are one of the most affordable means of public transport with various useful integrated application systems. The majority of the integrated applications are deployed in concern over safety and precautionary measures against the worst side-effects of unfortunate emergencies. For such cases, high-end reliable and autonomous systems provide possible positive solutions. Wireless Sensor Network is one of the suitable choices for rapid transit applications to gain positive results with inexpensive implementation cost. However, managing few network consequences like fault tolerance, energy balancing and routing critical informative packets are considered to be the challenging task due to their limited resource usage restriction. In this paper, a novel fuzzy logic-based fault tolerance and instant synchronized routing technique have been proposed specifically for the rapid transit system. On utilizing the fuzzy logic concepts, most of the computational complexities and uncertainties of the system is reduced. The central thematic of the proposed design is concerned over the synchronized routing and permanent faults which abruptly depicts the non-functional nature of the sensor nodes during normal operations. Moreover, our proposed simulation outcomes proved to be improvised evidence on obtaining maximum packet delivery ratio which tends to handle an emergency situation in the compartments of rapid transits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We present a new methodology for RTS (Rapid Transit System) planning and alignment. • We focus on Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area RTS alignment. • We apply space syntax syntactical measures to analyze RTS road alignment. • The RTS alignment is congruent with segments of high through-movement potential. • We emphasize the capacity and relative quickness for RTS impact assessment. This paper presents a technique aimed to assist in planning of surface rapid transit alignment in a metropolitan area by applying space syntax configurational approach. The technique proposed in this study was applied to the proposed surface rapid transit network for the Metropolitan Area of Tel Aviv. For this research a bi-modal model of the spatial structure, which includes the street network as well as the planned rapid transit routes, was analyzed. The results show that that a substantial share of the network's alignment can be described solely by measuring through-movement potentials. This finding demonstrates the significant role of spatial accessibility analysis in transit planning. Consequently, this study provides a reproducible methodology for identifying the routes which hold the highest potential to serve as strategic movement corridors at a metropolitan scale, thus improving current RTS (Rapid Transit System) planning practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel approach, which is task-based, is presented. • The formulation offers a framework for integrating other planning problems. • A personnel-time clustering is presented for reducing the model size. • A Fix-&-Relax algorithm, which benefits of the structure of the model, is employed. • Realistic computational experiments are presented. Human resources related problems are of vital importance for all the companies. Within the transportation world, they usually represent a very important part of the overall expenses. This paper presents a network-flow based crew scheduling model for rapid transit networks, where distances are not big but service frequency is very high. The crew scheduling problem has been traditionally modeled as a set covering/partitioning problem. Here, the presented approach faces the problem in a different way taking benefit from a linear payment policy and enabling an easier integration with other planning problems such as rolling stock circulations. For solving this new model an ad-hoc mathematical decomposition based on time-personnel clustering is proposed. Then, a Fix and Relax matheuristic is employed to solve the resulting problem. Commercial Branch and Bound and heuristics are also tested so as to compare the performance of the presented solution approach. In order to demonstrate the quality of the results, experiments for real case studies drawn from the main Spanish train operator, RENFE, are presented showing a good balance between optimality and computational times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Paper utilizes spatio-temporal methods in quasi-experimental research design. • Calculates slope-aware pedestrian accessibility on a 3D pedestrian network. • Proposes new Spherical Distance Weights for capturing 3D spatial relations. • Combines spatial weights with temporal distance for 4D relations in space and time. • Models suggest an increase in the value of pedestrian access to new rapid transit. Abstract The land value uplift effects of rapid transit infrastructure provide evidence of willingness to pay for more sustainable forms of development and suggest a rationale for land value capture. The present research utilizes spatio-temporal methods in a quasi-experimental research design to examine changes in property values associated with pedestrian accessibility to the West Island Line heavy rail extension in Hong Kong. Several innovations in methods and techniques are proposed that respond to the econometric challenges involved in conducting research in high density, topographically-rich cities. Of these, the paper incorporates landscape topography throughout its estimation process, including the calculation of slope-aware measures of walkable accessibility on a 3D pedestrian network and proposes a new Spherical Distance Weights method for capturing horizontal and vertical spatial association among observations in 3D space. Finally, these weights are combined with measures of temporal distance for a 4D approach that accounts for relations among observations in space and time. Spatio-temporal difference-in-differences results reveal a significant change in the value of pedestrian access to the new transit stations of between 26% and 41% after opening. Interestingly, uplift occurred across both the new stations as well as for properties around the previous terminus, highlighting the network effects associated with changes in accessibility. Beyond demonstrating that rail transit is valued, these findings confirm the assumptions behind the city's Rail + Property value capture approach, suggesting it remains a viable model for sustainable finance and urbanism in other high-density and transit-oriented cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract It is widely recognised that digital technology – and in particular dynamic ride sharing systems (DRS) – is leading to fundamental changes to vehicular transport and in particular, offers the prospect of substantially more cost effective forms of transport. A much anticipated transformational wave is that of autonomous vehicles (AVs) which carry the prospect of considerably cheaper and far more convenient individualised transport. That eventuality when married to DRS in the form of shared AVs (SAVs) — is seen as individualised transport's 'killer app' with the attendant risk of its convenience and low cost drawing clients away from public transport systems. To address this problem digital technology is now enabling hybrid modular transport systems (MTS) designed to act variously as a rapid (bus like) transit system, a feeder role for mass transit systems or, alternatively, a low density urban DRS service. In this article a road based modular DRS (MDRS) is described which is comprised of low capacity (up to 10 people) pods which can be articulated into a single vehicle or dynamically separated into individual transport units. There is, therefore, the potential when the pods are detached, to be used for off-peak low capacity last mile feeder services. When the pods are coupled together in bus length vehicles, they can act as a quasi-rapid transit system or as a feeder to them. Such a modular DRS system (MDRS) is shown to have the potential to reduce congestion through decreasing the size and number of vehicles at particular periods of the urban transport cycle. A further major increase in cost effectiveness is envisaged to be an urban based autonomous MDRS system which captures the key cost and convenience benefits of AVs and SAVs while curbing excess use of individual vehicles and abandonment of public transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]