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

Social

Rail is one of the more sustainable modes of travel, allowing for the movement of large numbers of passengers quickly and efficiently between and within key urban centres. Light rail and metro transport services connect key areas of cities with high frequency and offer relatively inexpensive transport options for urban residents, while reducing traffic and the need for car travel.

Economic

By connecting geographic locations, rail networks facilitate the transport and movement of people, goods, and services, creating welfare (economic impact). 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, but could also have an impact on the efficiency of transportation, also referred to as the economic impact of security measures.

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.

Security Issues

Rail transportation possesses a number of unique qualities which make it particularly vulnerable to acts to terrorism or sabotage. Rail passenger facilities are designed as large open spaces which facilitate the and quick and easy movement of passengers in boarding and exiting trains. In addition, both freight and passenger rail networks travel long distances, potentially offering multiple attack points, easy escape and vast areas which are difficult to patrol and secure.

• Passenger rail facilities provide high densities of passenger targets and are easily penetrated. Measures used to secure airports and airplanes are likely to be impractical due the expectation that passenger rail transportation, including commuter lines and subways, be fast and inexpensive.
• While freight rail does not offer terrorists the same high densities of passenger targets, it does provide alternative opportunities for attack, notably in the use of such trains to transport hazardous materials and dangerous cargoes.