“Introduction of High Speed corridors on IR Impact and challenges before Civil Engineers”

by

Tribhuvan Gupta

Chief Engineer/Const./Central

Northern Railway

&

Vineet Kumar Srivastava

Dy. Chief Engineer/Const./D-I

Northern Railway

Definition of High speed

As per UIC :• As regards infrastructure, - A line is described as

a “high speed line” when it is a new one designed to enable train operation at speeds above 250 kmph throughout the whole journey, or at least over a significant part of the journey.

• In case of upgraded conventional lines, speeds of 200-220 kmph can be considered high speed if it results in substantial reduction in journey time.

Milestone in High Speed (Kmph)Milestone in High Speed (Kmph)

• 1964 JNR 220.0 (max.)• 1988 DB 407.0 (test run)• 1990 SNCF 515.3 (test run)• 1997 JNR 285.0 (max.)• 1998 SNCF 300.0 (max.)• 1999 DB 330.0 (max.)• 1999 JNR (Maglev) 552.0 (test run)• 2000 New York-Boston line 240.0 (comm.)

Some High Speed Some High Speed TrainsTrains in the world in the world

Railway Year Max. speed (Kmph)

Axle Load (tonne)

Length

of train (m)

Hauled Vehicles

Seats

JR 1992 350 10 205 2 528

DB AG 1999 330 16 200 4 380

SNCF 1981-85 300 17 200 8 350

Eurostar 1995-96 300 17 319 14 530

Passenger Train Speeds in IndiaPassenger Train Speeds in India

Train Speed in Kmph

Max Average Trial

Shatabdi Exp (NDLS-AGC)

140 95 160

Rajdhani (NDLS-HWH)

130 81 145

Rajdhani (NDLS-BCT) 120 80 136

Issues in High Speed TrainsIssues in High Speed Trains

• Identification of corridors on IR up to 2020• Techno-economic feasibility studies • Competition from cheap air travel & expressways• Safety, reliability and comfort• Expected tariff structure• Energy and environmental responsibility• Involvement of imported technology & technology

transfer

Up gradation of existing linesUp gradation of existing lines

• Loss of line capacity by about 3 paths for each high speed train

• Intermittent speed restrictions leading to lack of long stretches for high speed

• High energy consumption; energy ∞ (speed)3

• Environmental issues : noise, objections, law suits

Construction of new dedicatedConstruction of new dedicated high speed lineshigh speed lines

• Curves to be flat• Grade separation at crossings• Dedicated rolling stock• Advanced signaling • safety devices • High cost & Low return

Rolling stockRolling stock

• The rolling stock should be compatible with high speed and should provide safe and comfortable travel.

• Locomotive WAP-5(cleared for max speed 160 Kmph)

• Coaches LHB (cleared for max speed of 160 Kmph) (28 No. available)

(Only nominated rakes to be permitted for high speed)

Track structure as per RDSOTrack structure as per RDSO

• Rails : 52 Kg (90 UTS)

• Sleepers : PSC (60 Kg)

• Ballast Cushion : 250 mm (minimum)

• Sleeper Density : 1540 nos/km (minimum)

Track maintenanceTrack maintenance• Mobile maintenance unit (MMU) should be operational.• Each division to have dedicated fleet of track machines.• Fixed maintenance corridor blocks to be available.• No push trolley/motor trolley inspection in face of the

high speed train.• On foot inspections schedule to be laid down.• Real time communication of engineering staff with

station masters, drivers and guards for imposing engineering speed restrictions, availing engineering blocks, etc

Contd….

• Fuel and other imprests for petty repairs of small track machines and T&P items to be liberally upgraded

• Adequate material imprest and separate vehicle for PWIs

• Non-core P-way works like de-weeding, cess repairs, etc. to be out sourced through P-way zones.

• Adequate leave reserve of PWIs to be maintained.• No vacancy to be left in P.way and other safety

categories.• IRSE Officers to be posted with tenure of 4 to 5

years (AEN & DEN).

Track monitoringTrack monitoring

• Track monitoring by machines.• The frequency of track recording by TRC shall

be once in two months as existing.• OMS recording to be conducted at 15 days.

Permissible track tolerancesPermissible track tolerances• Track geometry standards, as per RDSO

report (C&M Vol. 1), are proposed to be adopted for 150 kmph train, as an interim measure on NDLS-AGC section.

• One round of through gauging on all the sleepers.

• No backlog of deep screening.

• DTM should be introduced.

• Gangs to be headed by PWI grade III.

• Zero missing fittings.

Detection mechanism of Detection mechanism of

discontinuity in railsdiscontinuity in rails • To provide walkie-talkie sets to key men,

patrolmen, PWMs & PWIs and Officers.

• VHF sets to have channels of S&T and operating Branches also.

• Adequacy of existing system of USFD to be reassessed.

• USFD organisation to be modified to have sub-divisional control.

Increased emphasis on Increased emphasis on passenger comfortpassenger comfort

• The limits of TGI values to be enhanced from existing 80 to 85 to ensure better maintenance of track.

• No fish plated joints to be allowed except under suitable speed restrictions.

Review of maximum permissible cant, cant Review of maximum permissible cant, cant deficiency, cant gradient etc. on curves.deficiency, cant gradient etc. on curves.

• Board have tentatively permitted cant deficiency (Cd) of 125 mm against 100 mm permitted on curves upto 20. Final clearance after trials.

• The existing limits for rate of change of cant i.e. 55 mm per second for design of transition length for a curve will be applicable.

The capability of aged bridgesThe capability of aged bridges

• To withstand the increased dynamic augment at high speeds

• The tendency of resonance was noted on multiple spans of 18.3 m and above while doing trial at speed higher than 160 kmph with WDM4 loco. It needs to be observed during trial.

• All bridges should be ballasted deck type with LWR on them.

Suitability of steel channel sleepersSuitability of steel channel sleepers

• Steel channel sleepers to be permitted as an interim measure.

• No speed restrictions are considered necessary on steel channel sleepers.

• Observe the behaviour of these sleepers at least for one year on a monthly basis.

• Sub-structure of bridges with steel channel sleepers to be kept under watch.

• FRP sleeper\ imported wooden sleepers.

Level CrossingsLevel Crossings

• All Level Crossings enroute, to be manned, interlocked and provided with telephone.

• All level crossings to be grade separated in a time bound manner.

• Construction of ROBs to be on BOT basis.

Need of fencing along the trackNeed of fencing along the track

• Demarcation of Railway Boundary with verified land plans is must for construction of fencing.

• Fencing to be provided selectively depending on the possibility of trespassing of stray cattle etc.

• Height of fencing should be 2 m and the bottom 0.3 m to be left clear to allow passage to accumulate water etc.

• Out sourcing of security patrolling to prevent tress passing and damage to fencing

Criteria for rolling stockCriteria for rolling stock • Board/RDSO to lay down the revised

criteria for Rolling stock with due consideration for passenger comfort and safety against derailment,consider tilting body coaches and steerable bogies as available abroad.

• Day light maintenance of R.S. to be laid down.

Study of yard lay outStudy of yard lay out

• No high speed if the run through lines is a platform line.

• Speed restrictions to be imposed in such yards

• Separate through lines to be provided in a planned manner.

• Towns to have bye pass lines which will help to have separate line in future.

SignallingSignalling

• Digital speed indicator showing max permissible speed, actual speed & speed to be maintained for punctual running

• Provision of double distant wherever not provided

• Automatic warning to Driver of signal aspect

C & M – I ReportC & M – I Report

• Track parameters studied – Unevenness, Alignment, Gauge, X- level and twist

• Max acceleration in cab and coach floor – 0.3g and occasional peak of 0.35g accepted, if no resonant tendency is shown

• Ride Index (Loco) – 3.75 to 4.0 satisfactory

(3.75 is to be preferred)

• Ride Index (Coach) – 3.25 to 3.50 satisfactory

(3.25 is to be preferred)

Planning on Indian RailwaysPlanning on Indian RailwaysNDLS-AGC SectionNDLS-AGC Section

( targeted for March 2005)( targeted for March 2005)

• NDLS – TKD 18 Km speed of 120 kmph (existing)

• TKD-AGC 175 Km speed of 150 kmph Total 193 Km (existing 130 kmph)

• NR NDLS-PWL 57 Km• NCR PWL-AGC 136 Km

• Total 193 Km

Stations on NR (150 kmph)Stations on NR (150 kmph)

• Junction Cabin ( Tughlakabad)

• Faridabad

• Faridabad New Town

• Ballabgarh

• Asaoti

• Palwal

Typical works for high speed by upgradation of Typical works for high speed by upgradation of conventional track being done by NRconventional track being done by NR

• Removal of wooden sleepers• Provision of thick web switches in facing direction• All turnouts to be fan shaped layout. Replacement

of 72 UTS rails with 90 UTS rails.• Need based CTR & patch RR to remove small

stretches of 52 kg rails between 60 kg. turnouts.• Fencing of vulnerable locations.

Contd.

• AT welds to be joggled & provided with wooden block.

• Removal of IMR defects and kinky welds.

• Deep screening and destressing.

• Tamping in design mode.

• Panel interlocking of stations.

Observations during Foot plate inspection Observations during Foot plate inspection of NDLS-PWL section on 05.02.05of NDLS-PWL section on 05.02.05

• AEN was having VHF set with facility of communication with Engineering and operating staff.

• Trespassing has reduced but fencing is not fully effective.

• Need for Exclusive AEN & his team for up gradation of Track

• Separate high speed corridor may be better option as up- gradation interferes in the smooth traffic flow on the already saturated trunk route.

RUNNING OF 150 KMPH HIGH SPEED RUNNING OF 150 KMPH HIGH SPEED TRAIN ONTRAIN ON

NEW DELHI – AGRA SECTIONNEW DELHI – AGRA SECTION..  

• CCRS vide his letter dt.21-11-03 had raised several issues pertaining to various departments.

•   Civil Engg - 35• S&T - 14• Electrical }• Locos } - 10 • Electric traction - 1 •   Total - 60

Summary of important itemsSummary of important itemsCivil EngineeringCivil Engineering

Item Railway’s remarks

Policy decision to run train at speeds higher than 140 KMPH on existing lines carrying mixed traffic.

Railway Board has decided to run one train only at 150 KMPH on TKD Agra section (NDLS-AGC).

Provision of grade separation in lieu of LC

Presently all LC's are to be manned & interlocked. Out of 95 LCs, 26 are still to be interlocked.

contd…

Item Railway’s remarks

Provision of fencing to prevent tress passing.

Fencing to be done in phases. 22 km (7 km NR & 15 km NCR) will be done in first phase.

Need for reliable disaster management.

Disaster management plan already exists in IR.

Installation of anemometer at location of high wind velocity

No need in this area.

contd….

Item Railway’s remarks

Modification to SOD, if required.

No need for 150kmph.

Modification in G&SR (Placement of detonator banner flag etc.)

Emergency braking distance is 1200m only (during trials, therefore, no change is required)

Ensure lower limits of vertical & horizontal acceleration.

No change in the limits.

contd…

ItemItem Railway’s remarksRailway’s remarks

Reliability of assets against failures such as rails and welds

Existing system of keyman patrolling/cold weather patroling is O.K.

Study of Yard layout platform line is not run-through line.

High speed is not to be applicable on such lines.

TrackTrack

Capability of steel bridges to withstand dynamic augment

Since it is passenger train, therefore, it is not critical.

Adequacy of existing curves for High speed keeping in view Cd, Ce and Cg

Cant deficiency of 125 mm will bepermitted (Only 7 curves, one on NR & 6 on NCR).

Using of swing nose crossing and check rail on switches.

Use of SNC requires changes in interlocking hence not desirable. Use TW switches.

contd….

Formation treatment to be done in patches.

No formation problem in this section.

In case of back long of tamping cycles/USFD – reduce speed.

This will be ensured.

Reduce frequency of track monitoring to once a week.

Once in a fortnight by OMS-2000. Once in 2 months by TRC.

Elimination of manual maintenance. Track M/C to be provided at DEN level.

Mechanised maintenance is planned.

contd…

The adequacy of existing standards of track structure and turnouts.

As per RDSO minimum, 52 kg rail 90 UTS, PSC sleeper with 1540 no./km, 250 mm ballast cushion.

Suitable track structure for making tamper proof at vulnerable locations such as high bank, bridge approaches.

No instance of sabotage. (Anti-sabotage ERCs are being procured).

Suitability of steel channel sleeper.

No limitation by RDSO, but observe behavior for one year.

contd…

Advisability of wooden sleeper on bridges.

Will remain as an interim measure.

Review of inspection by push trolley and use of Rail Dolly.

No push trolley in face of the high speed train. Rail dolly to be used only under block protection.

                                                      

ICE 1 the first german high speed train

                                                      

Thalys train which link Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne/Düsseldorf

                                                    

                                                    

Swedish tilting train X2000

                                                   

Japanese maglev train

                                                    

Acela, the american tilting train

AbbreviationsAbbreviations

• JNR-Japanese National Railway• DBAG-Deutsche Bahn Auswirkungen• SNCF-Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais• ICE-Intercity Express• ACELA- Excellence &Acceleration• TGV-Train a Grand Vitesse• MAGLEV – Magnetic Levitation• C&M – Civil & Mechanical