Abstract

The authors describe how Sao Paulo State granted a 20-year concession for operating a busway, one requirement for which was that the concessionaire replace the diesel bus operation with electric traction (trolleys). This was not a"greenfield concession"but is probably the only"busway"concession undertaken so far worldwide. With roughly 16,000 buses fighting their way through heavy traffic under traffic policies geared to automobiles, bus services was slow and unreliable. Then Sao Paulo adopted certain practices aimed at improving bus operations. Between 1983 and 1987, it implemented a segregated trolleybus corridor between Sao Mateus and Jabaquara, to be opened as a private concession regulated by the state of Sao Paulo. The concession was to operate for 20 years but the winning consortium had to invest in only part of the equipment, because part of it was in place. This made things less risky for the private consortium and allowed thestate to complete an environmentally friendly project with the help of the private sector. The concession has so far been a success - an example to be followed. After an initial increase, demand for the busway began to fall in 1998 and 1999. This was part of a general decline in demand for the bus system because of: a) A drop in jobs resulting from the economic slowdown. b) A growth in the use of automobiles. c) Competition from illegal buses (vans), which offer door-to-door service. The state was late in completing the aerial network for the trolleyway and rehabilitating sections of the roadway. This delayed replacement of diesel buses by trolleybuses. State representatives indicated it might be better in future to find a mechanism through which the concessionaire instead of the state would undertake infrastructure works and would also handle administration of integration terminals. Document type: Book

Abstract

Mobility is a vital part of human life. Mobility needs can be met in a variety of ways: motorized and non-motorized individual traffic, local public transport using buses and trains, or mixed systems like taxis and park and ride systems. Individual traffic in particular causes major environment problems and problems of traffic congestion. Strengthening public transport is often favored, but this preference is not reflected in the number of local transport users. This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that a central problem involved in local public transport usage is its complexity. The article presented here develops demands on a personalized local public transport guidance system, analyzes existing systems and presents a solution for a personalized support system for users of local public transport systems. The software Hermes was developed for this purpose. It accompanies the travelers through all steps of public traffic usage — from checking time tables to purchasing tickets to a navigation system for pedestrians guiding the user to a street address destination. Document type: Part of book or chapter of book

Abstract

This report starts with a history of high speed rail worldwide and then outlines the history of China's move toward a high-speed rail network. It explains why China is uniquely suited for a high-speed rail system. System performance indicators, such as: speed, capacity, safety, fares, ridership, and operating and maintenance costs, are examined for China and other countries. The relationship between high-speed rail and economic development is discussed along with preconditions necessary for successful implementation of a high-speed rail project. Document type: Book

Abstract

International audience; The current Air traffic System in Europe relies on airspace and airport capacity estimates computed by the Air National Service Providers (ANSPs) using demand forecast and Air traffic Controllers operations schedules. The Demand Capacity Balancing (DCB) aims at reducing the Air Traffic Management resources held in reserve to cope with demand peaks by providing the system with demand smoothing means. A recent study on the subject suggests introducing a congestion-based route fee that encourages users to avoid crowded slots for a given departure and arrival airport [1]. An optimal equilibrium point can then be reached through a clever choice of penalties incurred by flying at departure times adversely impacting congestion. Alternative routes may also be considered in the planning, as for a whole category of customers price tag is more important than travel time. However, taking into account that for short haul flights alternative means of transportation may be a viable option, DCB can be addressed in a wider scope by considering surface vehicles along aircraft. A side effect of this holistic approach is the ability to cope with disruptive events. The present work describes a simulation and optimization model tailored to this particular problem.

Abstract

The aim of this research is to define a breakage limit for the fastening system of the "Eurobalise" device of the ERTMS/ETCS rail signalling system on the European railways. The widespread presence of the system along the European railway line and the increasing of high-speed lines have led the research to find design solutions able to increase the attack system strength, avoiding its detachment from the sleepers. Mechanical tests on tensile, shear and bending configurations have been carried out to evaluate the jointing systems between Eurobalise and sleepers. Additional full-scale tests allowed the definition of the load actions and of the breaking points. The connection between balise and sleepers is able to react to the train’s aerodynamic actions, confirming the system reliability even for the passage of high-speed trains. Through the experimental approach were defined standard test procedures useful to improve the sheet data of this kind of fastening system.