This page contains citations of articles and graduate documents relating to railroads.
Maji, Avijit; Jha, Manoj K. (2009) Railroad yard location optimization using a genetic algorithm. Proceedings of the 2nd WSEAS International Conference on Natural Hazards, NAHA '09, Climate Changes, Global Warming, Biological Problems, CGB '09, Urban Rehabilitation and Sustainability, URES '09 pp. 151 - 156
Jha, Manoj K.; Olukun, C. (2004) Optimizing station locations along transit rail lines with geographic information systems and artificial intelligence Advances in Transport, vol. 15, pp. 11 - 20
Phillips, Claudia G.; Edwards, Hazel Ruth (2002) Socioeconomic, community-based approach for developing integrated mass transit systems: Application to city of Baltimore, Maryland. Transportation Research Record. Is. 1793, pp. 71 - 79
Sun, Huey-Lian; Tang, Alex P. (2000) The sources of railroad merger gains: Evidence from stock price reaction and operating performance. Transportation Journal, vol. 39, Is. 4, pp. 14 - 26
Rail Planning
Samanta Sutapa (2008)
Models and algorithms for a rail transit line alignment using GIS and genetic algorithm (d)
Advisor : Manoj K. Jha, Department of Civil Engineering
ABSTRACT
The increase in commuting populations and transit ridership in urban areas has given rise to the need for building new transit lines or extending existing ones. The objective of this dissertation research is to perform a microscopic analysis and develop models and algorithms for a rail transit alignment using Geographical Information System (GIS) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) in a given study corridor. Previous research suggests that several analytical methods have been developed to design various components of a transit system, such as optimization of station spacings, route spacing, and route length for rail transit alignments. While all this research has contributed substantially towards the development of a transit system, the applicability of these theoretical models remains limited for real-world problems.
The present research aims to perform a microscopic analysis in a given study corridor to obtain the locations and sequence of stations considering many-to-one travel pattern, variable demand for transit, identification of feasible locations for stations and optimization of various objective functions for station locations for an optimal rail transit alignment through GIS-GA integration.
An optimization algorithm is developed for optimizing station locations for three types of rail transit systems, namely (1) an on-the-ground rail transit system; (2) an underground cut and cover rail transit system, and (3) an underground deep tunnel rail transit system. The algorithm is developed in two stages. In the first stage, the search space is defined by identifying the potential station locations using a GIS and in the second stage a GA is applied to perform the optimal search.
The optimization model for station location is developed using several objective functions of demand and cost as both influence the optimal rail transit alignment. The first objective is to minimize the total system cost per person, which is a function of user cost, operator cost, location cost and variable demand. A bilevel optimization model is introduced for the station location optimization problem. In this model a number of clusters of riders are determined from local population data at the lower level in order to estimate demand and optimize the objective functions at the upper level. The second objective is to maximize the ridership or the service coverage. The user cost per person is minimized separately as the third objective because the user cost is one of the most important decision-making factors for using the transit system. A decision can be made based on the preferred parameters by a transit-planner based on the results obtained using different objective functions. A variable demand case is considered in the research which replicates a realistic scenario that can be expected while planning a rail transit line Optimal solutions are obtained by running an iterative process of re-estimating the variable transit demand by varying the locations and sequence of stations, which results in change in travel time and potential transit demand.
Once the optimal station locations are obtained, the stations are interconnected using a suitable rail line alignment. This is done by connecting each pair of stations using a GIS and GA based algorithm (customized Highway Alignment Optimization model).
The proposed model is applied on an artificially generated study area of size 20 miles x 20 miles around Washington DC in USA. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is verified on small scale examples first. Then the model is applied on radial corridors of 12 miles x 3 miles and a diagonal corridor of area 22 mile x 3 mile within the study area to obtain optimal rail transit alignments. The results show that a new rail line alignment can be established in a comprehensive, consecutive and automated process using the proposed model. Better results are obtained for radial corridors than for the diagonal corridor as many-to-one travel pattern is considered for the study. The iterative approach in the algorithm increases computational complexities but produces near optimal solution for a rail transit alignment. The results give a planner an initial idea about which objective functions to use for a specific type of study corridor under consideration.
Campbell, Scott Adam (2002)
Transit-oriented development: An overview (m)
Advisor : Siddharta Sen, Department of city and Regional Planning
ABSTRACT:
Transit authorities and the private sector are forming partnerships in attempt to develop innovative strategies to combat Urban Sprawl. One such strategy is known as TOD or Transit Oriented Development. This thesis will examine TOD by providing clear definitions of what constitutes TOD.
TOD's are compact, mixed-use developments situated at or around transit stops. Comprised of housing, office, neighborhood retail, and civic uses, these transit villages are jointly developed with the private sector and are carefully designed to be pedestrian-friendly, human-scale communities where residents can “live, work, and play.” TOD's increase the density of people near transit, including residents, employees, visitors, and customers in a built environment that is pedestrain friendly and connected to transit. Mixed-use buildings, projects, or areas with a mix of uses are active from early in the morning to late in the evening, making the environment safer for pedestrians and providing peak and off-peak customers for transit service. A TOD may be a single building, a group of buildings, or a multiple block district. This thesis will also identify the potential success of TOD in Owings Mills.
Demographic Analyses and Train Stations
Nembhard, Kyle Anthony (2009)
A comparison of household demographics relative to fixed guideway transit catchment in Baltimore City (t)
Advisor: Joyce Ann Pressley, Department of Architecture and Planning
ABSTRACT
This thesis examines household demographics near Metro and Light Rail stations in Baltimore City. This thesis used Census data from 1990 and 2000 and MTA 2008 Ridership Survey data in order to see if household incomes were higher in areas that were served by Metro and Light Rail while lower income households were located in areas that were only served by local bus. The hypothesis was that areas that are served by light rail and metro systems were attracting higher-income households and causing gentrification. The research found that no distinctive pattern exists in Baltimore City that suggests that housing was stratified based on its location relative to Metro or Light Rail.
Railroads and Behavior
Buckner, Brandon A (2009)
An analysis of informal transportation use in urban communities: Hacking in Baltimore, Maryland (t)
Advisor: Joyce Ann Pressley, Department of Architecture and Planning
ABSTRACT
Transportation equity is an increasingly important issue. It is based on the assurance that every person, regardless of race, income or location of residence, has equal access to efficient and affordable transportation. In many cities this issue is of prime importance due to the lack of sufficient, dependable and easily accessible transportation. These system deficiencies have a substantial impact on residents' ability to obtain jobs, link their children to better school systems and on the community and region's sustainable economic growth. Transportation equity is proving to be a constant struggle, especially in urban areas populated primarily by low income residents. The proposed disparity between low income communities and access to efficient public transportation has helped to increase the popularity of informal transportation systems.
This thesis focuses on Hacking in Baltimore City. "Hacks" in Baltimore City can be characterized as informal cab services, differing from regulated taxi services in that they are an illegal form of transportation. This study examines user samples from four neighborhoods within Baltimore City obtained from a referral sample of survey participants and from formal interviews conducted with transportation policy regulators. The results of this study highlights the extent to which hacks are utilized in order to compensate for public system service deficiencies, spatial deficiencies or cost barriers.
Transit Rail and Planning
Dunkley, Rayan J. (2021)
Optimization of Nodes in Mixed Small Cell Networks for Rapid Transit Communication System Using Four Distance Measures (d)
Advisor : Farzad Moazzami, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
ABSTRACT:
The implementation of WLAN access points, mobile cellular network distributed antenna systems, and microcells in rapid transit has created the opportunity for real-time monitoring of train (railcar) subsystems and mobile services to passenger network nodes (PN) at train stations. Particularly at underground train stations. New trains are equipped with an onboard ethernet network that can wirelessly communicate with wayside equipment via small cells.
The challenge will be the method used to assign nodes to the different access points under signal noise to ratio, utilization, priority, and cost of the connection with joint optimization. One approach to the challenge is applying the K-means clustering algorithm. The K-means algorithm is modified in two stages. First, using one distance measure (distance SNR) and secondly using four combined measures (distance SNR, utilization, priority, and cost).The adapted K-means method developed is a computationally efficient method for computing a jointly optimum distribution of wireless nodes over multiple small cells. The k-means algorithm is adapted to use four combined distance measures versus one. Each of the four measures is formulated based on the connectivity of each node to small cells. Where SNR is measured at each node to small cells, nodes with a short distance have a high SNR to small cells are grouped in the same cluster cells. Utilization is the fraction of link capacity used for transferring data. The train nodes are given priority over passenger nodes. The operating cost is dependent on the data use per charge when connected to WLAN and or cellular network. The four measures are normalized by rescaling each in ranges. All four measures are combined after normalization.Handover from WLAN to the cellular network occurs in two instances. First, when the cumulative effect utilization of nodes caused congestion at the access points. Secondly, when trains movement occurs from train station to between train station and vice versa.
The train to wayside data transfer (TWDT) and passenger wireless access at train stations (PWATS) are combined and enhanced by applying modified two-staged K-means clustering algorithms. The proposed clustering algorithm is adapted to include measures unique to a rapid transit wireless application. The weighting is adjusted to provide a weighted emphasis for each measure providing a non-linear objective function where one or more measures are given emphasis. Several results show clustering configuration when both trains are at the train stations when both trains move in opposite directions from the train station. The number of network nodes clustered to small cells is shown in clustered column charts and scatter plots simulated models.
Magnetic Levitation Trains and Security
Wright Brown, Cecelia (2005)
A case study of an anti-terrorism evacuation model of a magnetic levitation train station in an urban environment (d)
Advisor: Reginald L. Amory, Department of Civil Engineering
ABSTRACT
The terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 elevated the importance and urgency of transportation security as a constituent of our overall national security efforts. Consequently, transportation systems administrators have implemented new security measures that include an increase in the frequency and intensity of existing activities: conducting vulnerability or risk assessments, tightening access control, intensifying security presence, increasing emergency drills, developing or revising security plans, and providing additional training.
However, one deficiency in federal efforts to combat terrorism remains the lack of an explicit association between the terrorist threat, the development of a national strategy, and agency resources. This research explores one possible plan to deal with a terrorist threat by presenting an evacuation model based on preliminary drawings of a Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) train station. Two hypothetical scenarios are discussed, and both model: (1) Finding the optimal route to evacuate the train station and depopulate the urban environment; (2) Moving people out of the area of threat as expeditiously as possible; (3) Minimizing travel time by capturing the dynamic flow, congestion, and queuing effects that occur in a terrorist scenario; (4) Combining data from the model with decision-making software to better prepare authorities. The goals of train evacuation plans are to provide safe passage from the station to the train and from the train to the station for all people. Thus this study will establish guidelines for monitoring and limiting risks in these areas by establishing feasible, concise, evacuation routes that enable the movement of people from the train station and the urban environment to a location where there is reduced risk. By prioritizing risks through threat, vulnerability and criticality processes, which are tools in identifying evacuation weaknesses of a Maglev station, planners and decision makers are in a better position to manage the risk of a terrorist attack by more effectively targeting resources to eliminate or mitigate weaknesses. In addition, these tools also allow planners to better identify and evaluate various responses relative to various possible crises. This research models the processes by which planners can adequately evaluate their own infrastructure as well as presents possible models to test in their specific environments.
Historical Analyses
Ndanyi, Samson Kaunga (2013)
"On the whole their work has been very well": Black policemen and the expansion of capitalism in Kenya, 1895–1913 (t)
Advisor: Jeremiah Dibua, Ph.D. History and Geography Department
ABSTRACT
Black policemen in the British East Africa Police Force ameliorated the expansion of capitalism in Kenya. The use of black policemen in taxation and labor laws illustrates their deep involvement in the affirmation of capitalism, and it also demonstrates the integration of African countries into the western form of capitalist economy. Black policemen themselves appeared to accept their roles as tax collectors and labor enforcers. Based on their numerical strength and knowledge of the local topography, they emerged as the linchpin of capitalism, and paved the way for its firm entrenchment. This thesis explores the symbiotic relationship between black policemen and colonial capitalist economy in Kenya. It argues that black policemen were not so much involved with the prevention and detection of crime, but rather they focused on serving the exploitative economic interests of the colonial power. Without them the exploitation of Africa's resources would have been extremely difficult and this in turn would have made colonialism unsustainable, a situation that would have made the idea to colonize Africa an empty proposition. By examining the relationship between black policemen and colonial capital economy in Kenya, the thesis provides a space in which to understand the complexities of colonialism and capitalism in Africa. The period covered by the thesis is 1895–1913.
Note: Chapter Three focuses on Railroad Police
Thomas, Michael Cashen (2003)
The National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees (formerly the National Alliance of Postal Employees), 1913–1975 (t)
Advisor : JoAnn Robinson, Department of History Geography and Museum Studies
ABSTRACT
During the early part of the twentieth century Black postal workers in the United States faced several challenges and obstacles. Racism was rampant and overt throughout society and the postal workplace was no exception. One of the tactics that Black workers used in attempting to improve their lot was unionization. Starting their own unions often became their lone option. After being barred from the white postal unions, a group of determined Black workers decided to form their own union. They called themselves the National Alliance of Postal Employees. Throughout the years NAPE became well known for its intense and consistent advocacy on behalf of its members. But in 1970, Congress passed a law that denied the union the ability to engage in collective bargaining on behalf of its membership. NAPE challenged the law within the judicial system, but failed in its attempt to have the law overturned.
