Urban Rail Transit Operation Organization

Author: Chief Editor: Fu Liyan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-11-01
Features:
Introduction This book conducts a comprehensive study and description of urban rail transit operation organization from a systematic perspective. The content includes an overview of urban rail transit, passenger flow forecasting and analysis, transportation plan preparation, transportation capacity theory and enhancement, principles and preparation of train operation schedules, train operation organization, station work organization, shunting work organization, fare theory and ticket management, operation indicator analysis, operation reliability analysis, and transportation enterprise financial management. This book can serve as a textbook or teaching reference for relevant majors in higher transportation institutions, or be used by professionals engaged in urban rail transit planning, construction, and operation management for reading and reference. Excerpt:
(3) Light Rail Transit. The term "light rail" refers to the relatively lighter load that light rail vehicles impose on the tracks compared to suburban trains or subway trains. Light rail evolved from old-fashioned streetcar systems, with early light rail systems often being direct conversions of existing streetcar systems. In the late 1970s, some countries began constructing entirely new modern light rail systems. Compared to old-fashioned streetcar systems, modern light rail systems offer advantages such as faster travel speeds, more comfortable rides, and lower noise levels. Similarly, when classifying and studying light rail systems worldwide, it is found that multiple technical standards coexist and develop. High-technology standard light rail is close to light subway, while low-technology standard light rail is closer to streetcars.
(4) Monorail Transit. Monorail is a city passenger transportation system where vehicles or trains run on a single rail beam. Monorail lines typically use elevated structures, and vehicles mostly employ rubber tires. From a structural perspective, monorails can be divided into straddle-beam monorails and suspended monorails. Straddle-beam monorails are a type where trains straddle the rail beam, while suspended monorails are a type where trains are suspended below the rail beam.
(5) Automated Guideway Transit System. In some literature, the Automated Guideway Transit System is referred to as a New Transportation System, naturally referring to the narrow definition of a New Transportation System. The main technical features of this transportation system include concrete sleepers for tracks, rubber tires for vehicles, a set of guidance wheels to guide vehicle operation, automatic train control, and the ability to achieve driverless operation.
1.1.2 Classification by Right-of-Way and Train Operation Control Method
Based on whether the urban rail transit system has dedicated right-of-way and the train operation control method, rail transit systems can be categorized into types such as dedicated right-of-way with signal control, dedicated right-of-way with visibility-based operation, mixed right-of-way with visibility-based operation, etc.
(1) Dedicated Right-of-Way, Signal-Controlled Operation Type. The characteristics of this type are dedicated lines with no grade crossings with other urban traffic lines. Due to dedicated right-of-way and signal control, the travel speed is high, and the safety of operation is good. Rail transit systems of this type include suburban railways, subway systems, high-technology standard light rail, and automated guideway transit systems.
(2) Dedicated Right-of-Way, Visibility-Based Operation Type. The characteristics of this type are dedicated lines with no grade crossings with other urban traffic lines, and relatively good operation safety. However, due to the lack of signals and operation based on visibility distance, the travel speed is slightly lower. Rail transit systems of this type are mainly medium-technology standard light rail.
(3) Mixed Right-of-Way, Visibility-Based Operation Type. The characteristics of this type are lines shared with other transportation vehicles and pedestrians, and grade crossings with other urban traffic lines. In addition to signal control at intersections, the rest of the line segments operate based on visibility distance, resulting in slightly lower travel speed and safety. Rail transit systems of this type are mainly low-technology standard light rail and streetcars.
1.1.3 Classification by Peak Hour Single-Direction Transport Capacity
Based on the peak hour single-direction transport capacity of urban rail transit systems, rail transit systems can be categorized into high-capacity, medium-capacity, and low-capacity types.
(1) High-Capacity Rail Transit System. The peak hour single-direction transport capacity of this type reaches over 30,000 passengers, and the main rail transit systems of this type include heavy subway and light subway.
(2) Medium-Capacity Rail Transit System. The peak hour single-direction transport capacity of this type is between 15,000 and 30,000 passengers, and the main rail transit systems of this type include micro-subway, high-technology standard light rail, and monorail transit.
(3) Low-Capacity Rail Transit System. The peak hour single-direction transport capacity of this type is between 5,000 and 15,000 passengers, and the main rail transit systems of this type include low-technology standard light rail, automated guideway transit systems, and streetcars.