HIGH SPEED RAIL TRANSPORT G. P. Kosta CBE/S. W. Rly./Hubli

BACKGROUND  World Scenario: Speed up to 500 Kmph, Dedicated track & Rolling Stocks.  Present Position – Indian Context MIXED TRAFFIC WITH SPEED VARIATION KMPH

Need for High Speed Transport Corridors  TO ADOPT LATEST TECHNOLOGY.  TO COPE UP HIGHER DEMAND for passenger and freight traffic.  TO COMPETE WITH OTHER SURFACE TRANSPORT SYSTEM.

INDIAN RAILWAYS Future Projections for INDIAN RAILWAYS  Increase in Passenger traffic by 30 to 40% in next 20 years.  Increase in goods traffic by 80 to 100%.  Nominal increase in track structure.

CHALLENGES BEFORE ENGINEERS  Present condition of Track  Formation treatment  Re-alignment of curves  Improving visibility at Level Crossings  Challenges to be faced in High Speed Transport Corridors  Challenges to be faced in High Speed Transport Corridors -  For maintaining Track  For maintaining Bridges  Safety at LC gates

GOLDEN QUADRILATERAL  New Delhi – Howrah  New Delhi – Mumbai  New Delhi – Chennai  Mumbai – Howrah  Mumbai – Chennai  Howrah – Chennai

OTHER SPECIFIED ROUTS  Ballary – Hubli – Vasco-Da-Gama section on South Western Railways and other sections.

ROLLING STOCK  Present rolling stock and speed  Passenger Trains at KMPH  Freight Trains at KMPH  Proposed rolling stock and speed  Passenger Trains at 160 KMPH  Freight Trains at 100 KMPH

TRACK FEATURES  Curves  Flattening of curves to accommodate speed up to 90 KMPH without restriction  Induction of HH rails on the curves.  P & C  1 in 16 or flatter T/Os  Use of thick web switches  CMS crossings

TRACK FEATURES Contd..  Bridges  Bridges- To be strengthen to take care of higher moving loads, high coefficient of augment, increased tractive and breaking forces and others.  Level Crossings  Manning of Unmanned LCs  Interlocking of Manned LCs  Provision of retro reflective boards for improvement in visibility

INPUTS FOR MAINTAINING HIGH SPEED CORRIDORS  Frequent Training to P. Way Staff  More safety seminars  More refresher courses  Revision in USFD testing schedule  Intensified high quality inspections  Modification in temping cycle  Strict check on flat tyre wheels  Introduction of automation of operation to minimise human error

ADVANTAGE  Increase in throughput  Improvement in turnaround capacity of wagons  More number of trains with no significant investment  Improvement in earnings

RECOMMENDATIONS  Realignment of curves to suit higher speed and if necessary realignment of completed gauge converted tracks having series of sharp curves  Formation treatment to unstable formations  Provision of fencing at all trespassing locations to ensure no trespassing across high speed corridor  Provision of ROB / RUB for smooth passage of road traffic  Use of SPURT Car for USFD testing of rails

RECOMMENDATIONS Contd.  Use of mobile flush but welding plant to minimise thermit weld failures and immediate attention  Use of corridor block for track works  Use of 130 m rail panels

CONCLUSION  Optimisation of existing Line Capacity  Improvement in turnaround of the wagon  Maximization of earnings with very less investment