Lecture 4 - Sector + Application Range

Question 1

Why switching from combustion engine driven cars to electric cars is not the solution for the world’s problems in transport and with climate change?

Answer 1

Electric energy has to be renewable energy, the physical resistances are the same, cars still demand too much space

Question 2

Requirements on passenger rail transport

Answer 2

• Fast connections between metropolitan areas
• More frequent mass transport within metropolitan areas
< 500 thousand inhabitants: Tramway system recommended

Question 3

Name and describe the grades of Automation defined by UITP:

Answer 3

a. GoA 0: no automation, completely dependent on the driver
b. Goa 1: dependent on the driver, but it is equipped with ATP (automatic train protection) system
c. GoA 2: the starting and stopping of the train is automatic via ATO (automatic train operation) system, the driver is responsible for the door closure and reaction in the event of any malfunction, and the train is also equipped with ATP
d. GoA 3: similar to GoA 2, but there exists no driver, instead, a train attendant is on board the vehicle and reacts in the case of any malfunction.
e. GoA 4: All the functions including the starting and stoping the train, the door closure and reaction in the event of any malfunction are done automatically and there is no driver or train attendant

Question 4

What is the biggest and fastest growing market for railways in the world by continent?

Answer 4

Fastest growing market: Africa/Middle East.

Biggest market: Europe (East and West Europe together)

Question 5

Biggest railway rolling stock production company in the world and where is located?

Answer 5

CRRC in China, 10,03 billion Euro
Bombardier in Canada/Germany, 4,83 billion Euro
Alston in France, 3,03 billion Euro
Siemens in Germany, 2,21 billion Euro

Question 6

Where does Autonomous Operation makes sense?

Answer 6

Shunting yards (shunting operation), trams and rail buses

Question 7

Laws for Railways

Answer 7

For conventional: EBO, BOA, i.a. UVV

Other railways: BOStrab

Question 8

Standards and Guidelines for Europe

Answer 8

TSI: Technical specifications for Interoperability (of Railways)
EN: European Standards (For Railways applications and Others)

Question 9

Standards and Guidelines Wolrdwide

Answer 9

ISO: Standards for International Organization
IEC: Standards for International Electrotechnical Commission

Question 10

Standards and Guidelines for Germany

Answer 10

DIN: Standards of the German Institute for Standarization
VDI: Guidelines of the Association of German Engineers
VDE: Guidelines of the Association of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Information Technology

Question 11

Characteristics of Mainline Vehicles – Long-Distance Trains

Answer 11

• Connections between (large) cities
• International connections
• Connections from the city to the countryside
• High driving speed – Low acceleration
• Large intervals between trains (at hourly intervals)
• Large distance between stops
• Relatively low transport capacity

Question 12

High speed train

Answer 12

Train with max. speed of 250-300 km/h (in Germany) and average driving speed of 120-220 km/h, the dimensions are larger than the others, the distance between stops and the min. curve radius are relatively large. The train protection system is signalling or LZB or similar.

Question 13

Mainline train

Answer 13

Train with max speed of 160-200 km/h (in Germany), average speed of 100-150 km/h. The distance between stops is 20-50 km. It’s protection system is signalling or LZB or similar

Question 14

Regional train

Answer 14

Train with max speed of 120-160 km/h (in Germany), average speed of 40-80 km/h. The distance between stops is 2-10 km. It’s protection system is signalling

Question 15

Suburban rapid

Answer 15

Train with max speed of 100-140 km/h (in Germany), average speed of 40-60 km/h. The distance between stops is 750 m - 3 km. It’s protection system is signalling

Question 16

How fast is a tramway allowed to drive on a street-bound track in a German inner city and why?

Answer 16

50km/h, because this is the maximum allowed speed inner cities in Germany

Question 17

Buff Strength Test Force acc. to DIN EN 12663:

Answer 17

Measure of structural stiffness and therefore the weight
The force is to be applied at the height of buffer and/or
Coupling depending on the vehicle design and with.
• Empty vehicle ready for operation
• Maximum payload

Question 18

What are the most common platform heights in the German mainline railway system?

Answer 18

380 mm, 550 mm, 760 mm

Question 19

Name boarding aids for Rail vehicles

Answer 19

Sliding step, regional multiple unit-train. Vehicle bound entrance aid. Plattform bound entrance aid. Folding steps, high floor light rail vehicles

Question 20

Vehicle Classification According Floor Level

Answer 20

• High-Floor vehicle: Floor height > 1000 mm (S-Bahn, Loco-hauled trains)
• Semi-low-floor vehicle: 600 mm < Floor height < 1000 mm (Regional Electric Multiple Units)
• Low-floor vehicle: Floor height < 600 mm (Regional Diesel Multiple Units)