Rail network

A rail network is the necessary infrastructure for trains, metro or tram.

Description

A rail network is the necessary infrastructure for trains, metro or tram. The track consists of two parallel steel rails, anchored perpendicular to members called ties (sleepers) of timber, concrete, steel, or plastic to maintain a consistent distance apart, or rail gauge [ref wikipedia]. Turnouts, also known as points and switches, are the means of directing a train onto a diverging section of track [1]. Signalling is used to control the direction of the switch and to prevent collisions.

The rail network can be used both for passenger and freight transport.

Vulnerable or unsafe parts of a railway network are level crossings with other infrastructure, switches, steep curves (risk of run off the rails) and stations.

Functions

Economic

By connecting geographic locations, rail networks facilitate the transport and movement of people, goods, and services, creating economic impact (i.e. jobs and income). In many countries, rail transport is the preferred transport mode for bulk goods (some of it dangerous), especially on long-distances. Due to the increasing expansion of cities and urban centres, the demand for large-scale passenger and freight transport has steadily grown world-wide. Historically, in many regions and countries this increased demand has been met by expanding the road networks, but rail networks provide many (indirect) economic benefits over road networks. According to a study by Deloitte Access Economics (2011) some of the benefits of rail networks are:

• “Improved land use and urban densification;
• Lower carbon emissions
• Reduced congestion
• Fewer accidents
• Removing barriers to social inclusion
• Improving land values; and
• Enhanced energy security."

Threats to rail networks are mostly limited to crime (theft of valuable materials such as copper and metal) and vandalism. There is, however, also a looming chance for terrorist assaults like in Madrid (2004) causing a direct economic damage of more than € 5 million on railway infrastructure and indirect economic impact due to delays and blockades in rail traffic. Hence, security measures that focus on resilience can generate positive leverage compared to the necessary investments.

Safety

Vulnerable or unsafe parts of a railway network are level crossings with other infrastructure, switches, steep curves (risk of run off the rails) and stations.

Footnotes and references

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