Quarterly Report of RTRI

PAPERS

Two Greens; A New Signal Aspect for High-Speed Train on Wayside Signaling

Hiroshi UGAJIN, Hiroaki SHIROTO, Kohei FUJINAMI, Koji OMINO

1999 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 13-17
Published: 1999
Released on J-STAGE: July 10, 2008

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2219/rtriqr.40.13

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Prior to the practical use of a new wayside signal aspect for high-speed trains in the Hokuhoku Line, its visibility and compatibility were tested about the signaling method which is of a double green aspect given before the appearance of a single green aspect for the proceed signal. Twenty four test runs were thoroughly performed with participation of twelve drivers, on the line of 30 km at the maximum speed of 160 km/h. Drivers succeeded in identifying without difficulty signals given by the new system for each of test runs.

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Safety Criteria for Evaluation of Railway Vehicle Derailment

Hiroaki ISHIDA, Masaki MATSUO

1999 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 18-25
Published: 1999
Released on J-STAGE: July 10, 2008

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2219/rtriqr.40.18

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Criteria for evaluating safety of railway vehicles concerning derailment are reviewed. In the case of quasi-static wheel climb derailment, the safety criteria in current use are available. Recently oscillatory wheel load fluctuations of considerable amplitude have been observed on Shinkansen vehicles running at high speeds, but there were no established evaluation methods for the dynamic derailment under such a specific condition. Based on a study on these dynamic phenomena through computer simulation, we propose to use the time duration of Y/Q in order to assess the safety against derailment. Moreover, the necessity to control the right to left static wheel load unbalance ratio and its limit value on assembling bogies are suggested in this paper with field data obtained from turnout running tests.

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Study on Level Crossing Design and Evaluation Method based on Cognitive Model

Hisaji FUKUDA, Takafumi INOUE, Yukimasa SATO, Yumeko HAYASHI

1999 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 26-31
Published: 1999
Released on J-STAGE: July 10, 2008

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2219/rtriqr.40.26

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In this paper, we propose crossing designs and an evaluation method based on psychology, traffic engineering, graphic design, etc. from a global standpoint of road traffic flow, in order to prevent crossing, accidents caused by cars entering crossing immediately before train. We have made an information processing model that distinguishes conspicuity of detection / recognition from the concept of visibility, draw up a standardization plan considering a basic crossing design and setting according to crossing features, and develop an evaluation method based on the distance and response time.

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Development of Digital ATC system

Ikuo WATANABE, Mitsuyoshi FUKUDA, Yasuhiro USHIJIMA, Tetsuo TAKASHIGE

1999 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 32-36
Published: 1999
Released on J-STAGE: July 10, 2008

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2219/rtriqr.40.32

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We are developing a Digital ATC system, in which the ground equipment detects train location by using track circuits and transmits digital coded data through track circuits. Transmission items include the track circuit identification number, the number of unblocked sections, and other data required for train operation. The on-board equipment generates a onestep braking profile using an on-board database, the data received through track circuits, and its own position detected by the integration of axle rotation. We have carried out field tests on the Kagoshima line of JR Kyusyu. We verified that the Digital ATC system functions as originally designed.

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Uncertainty Analysis in Railway Safety Assessment

Hiroshi FUKUOKA

1999 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 37-42
Published: 1999
Released on J-STAGE: July 10, 2008

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2219/rtriqr.40.37

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Uncertainty is one of the most important concepts for safety assessment. In this paper, uncertainty is introduced into the safety assessment of railway system. After some discussions on the safety assessment framework of railway safety, we examine what categories of uncertainty are necessary. Then we introduce a case study on an externally initiated accident sequence to discuss the usefulness and difficulty of uncertainty for railway safety.

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Development of Method for Predicting Railway Embankment Collapse Due to Rainfall Based on Disaster Examples

Tomoyasu SUGIYAMA, Hisashi MURAISHI, Tatsuo NOGUCHI

1999 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 43-49
Published: 1999
Released on J-STAGE: July 10, 2008

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2219/rtriqr.40.43

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Slope collapses of embankment and cut slope along railways are often triggered by heavy rainfall of typhoon, etc. and have much influence on train running safety. It is of vital importance to locate risky sites along the railway to control train operation. For this purpose, it is desirable to develop a practical damage estimation method which can accurately predict the risk of slope collapse and can simply be applied by railway workers in the field. This paper deals with a method of estimating the risk of railway embankment collapse due to heavy rainfall through a multivariate analysis. This paper proposes to define the critical rainfall as a product of the amounts of the accumulated rainfall and the maximum hourly rainfall.

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Wind-Induced Accidents of Train/Vehicles and Their Measures in Japan

Toshishige FUJII, Tatsuo MAEDA, Hiroaki ISHIDA, Toshiaki IMAI, Katsuji ...

1999 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 50-55
Published: 1999
Released on J-STAGE: July 10, 2008

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2219/rtriqr.40.50

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Since train vehicle accidents caused by strong winds sometimes occur in Japan, Japan railway companies requested the Railway Technical Research Institute to promote research and development of preventive measures. To respond to this request, we have investigated aerodynamic forces acting on train vehicles and characteristics of strong winds and proposed several software and hardware preventive measures. This report presents the results of our investigation and the measures adopted in Japan Railway lines.

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Technology of "HERAS-II," New Version of Hazards Estimation and Restoration Aid System

Kenji TOMITA, Shinji SATO, Fumiaki UEHAN

1999 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 56-60
Published: 1999
Released on J-STAGE: July 10, 2008

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2219/rtriqr.40.56

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The Hazards Estimation and Restoration Aid System, "HERAS," developed by RTRI in 1992, automatically estimates the damage grade of each point based on inputted earthquake elements. When combined with the Urgent Earthquake Detection and Alarm System, "UrEDAS," developed by RTRI, it provides the quickest and most accurate restoration aid. HERAS has useful databases for the daily maintenance of structures and can easily select the weak points against an optional hypothetical earthquake. This system is also useful for repair and reinforcement of structures before a disastrous event occurs. A new version of HERAS called "HERAS-II" that has a new hazard estimation method and databases was developed in 1997. This paper explains the difference between the old type "Old HERAS" and new "HERAS-II," and introduces the databases and the tools of HERAS-II.

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REVIEWS

Human Factors Approach to Railway Safety

Hiroshi UGAJIN

1999 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 5-8
Published: 1999
Released on J-STAGE: July 10, 2008

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2219/rtriqr.40.5

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In order to prevent railway accidents and accidents at crossings from occurring due to human error, and to strive for even greater improvement in safety in railway operation, RTRI psychology and ergonomics staff are engaged in research and development in their respective fields of responsibility. The review summarizes what the staff studied from actual accidents, what methods they used to achieve the results of their research, or used to try to achieve those results. In the references, only literature published in English is given.

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Recent Trends of Development of Disaster Prevention Technologies

Tatsuo NOGUCHI

1999 Volume 40 Issue 1 Pages 9-12
Published: 1999
Released on J-STAGE: July 10, 2008

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2219/rtriqr.40.9

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In recent years, a large number of natural disasters have occurred which have attracted public attention in Japan. Research and development for natural disaster prevention for railways has been pursued as one of the most important subjects in RTRI. This paper describes the recent trends of disaster prevention technologies, mainly on slope disasters, strong wind disasters and snow problems.

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