Costs have been rising and timelines lengthening to infuriating extremes for transit projects in the US. What’s causing this, and how can it be solved?
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Covenants, Easements & Wayleaves: Mind the Gap of London Infrastructure Knowledge (Part 3)
This series has revealed a hitherto unknown complex and often murky relationship between London’s underground railways and its environment. Unsurprisingly in the twenty-first century, with so much of London having been tunneled, excavated, bombed, developed, …
Continue readingMonday’s Friday Reads – 15 January 2023
• Woolwich Elizabeth station much busier than predicted, to test escalator decrowding ideas (IanVisits) • Alstom signs €500m contract for Saudi catenary-free tramway system (Railway Technology) • European cities don’t regret 30 km/h speed limits …
Continue readingFuture of tunnelling means more risk management on ‘undervalued’ events (NewCivilEngineer)
While techniques, practices and resources in tunnelling are continually improving, risk will never be eliminated and the ways to manage it must be updated and maintained alongside them. Tunnelling is one of the most complex …
Continue readingImproved track laying technology used on East West Rail (RailTechnology)
East West Rail has completed the first stage of track laying for the project using an innovative track laying solution. The New Track Construction (NTC) train has completed 58 shifts, laying the foundation for the ambitious …
Continue reading$12B Brightline West new passenger railway advances (RailwayAge)
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has authorized construction and operation of a modified alignment of the high-speed passenger rail project proposed by private-sector firm Brightline West, subject to environmental mitigation measures. Brightline West says its …
Continue readingThe Evolution of Tunnel Boring Machines (ConstructionPhysics)
Tunneling is an important technology for modern civilization, as a tunnel is often the only reasonable way to create a direct path between two points. When the Hoosac tunnel was completed in 1875, it turned …
Continue readingMonday’s Friday Reads – 23 October 2023
• TfL & Google Maps collaborate to make cycling better for Londoners & world (TfL) • Glasgow Subway services could soon run later (Glasgow Live) • ULEZ already raising air quality at 144 more London schools (OnLondon) …
Continue readingDithering & long processes make the UK’s infrastructure too expensive (SamDumitriu)
“Unachievable.” The Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s assessment of High Speed 2 (HS2) does not pull its punches. Back in 2013, the high-speed line to connect London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds was estimated to cost about £56.7bn …
Continue readingWhere is the UK railway strategic rolling stock & depot plan? (RailEngineer)
2018 saw the last Long Term Passenger Rolling Stock Strategy (LTPRSS). Yet with the UK’s rolling stock fleet comprising of 14,000 vehicles and costing £3 billion per annum, there is clearly a need for the …
Continue readingTrain operators propose 32 000 km high speed rail ‘Metropolitan Network’ (RailwayGazette)
Proposals for a huge expansion of the high rail speed network have been drawn up by Deutsche Bahn working in partnership with nine other major European operators. This would be necessary to achieve the Green …
Continue readingEarth Friendly Concrete foundation for HS2 (RailEngineer)
As one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the UK, HS2 is set to transform the country’s transport network. Concrete is an essential component of this project. From the foundations of the track to …
Continue readingThe digital twin tech turning the Piccadilly line underground green (ERPToday)
It might not be the longest or busiest line of the underground network, but the Piccadilly line has a fascinating history – it made London the first city in the world with an underground railway …
Continue readingHow Montréal’s REM learnt from the Paris RER – Automatic for the People
Move over RER, Montréal’s new fully automated Réseau express métropolitain (REM)’s first segment has opened. Once fully completed, the REM line will link directly across Montréal Island north, south, and west. Essentially, a Regional Express …
Continue readingThe impacts of capital investment in London’s Underground: Long-term analysis (TransportationResearch)
Abstract The deferred repair of infrastructure is often a pressing issue since infrastructure failures can have severe economic consequences for both operators and users. Although the benefits of non-expansion capital spending are well-known within the industry, …
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