Railway systems and their transition
Summary
This course provides foundational knowledge of transport systems, with a particular emphasis on rail systems, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, amongst others in the context of climate change.
Content
- Railways: Past, present, and future, from railroad tycoons to "Taktfahrplan" and today's challenges.
- Transport systems and railway's role: Get an overview of the different modes of transport and the key role of railway.
- Railway assets: Learn about fundamental technologies required for a railway system such as track, power supply, signaling and rolling stock, and how to manage these assets focusing on life-cycle costs.
- Customer channels: From ticketing to customer information in smooth or disrupted travel experiences.
- Planning and development: Understand the basics of planning and developing the transportation offer, infrastructure and rolling stock considering customer needs and capacity optimization.
- Safety and Security: Learn about managing risks and maintaining operational continuity.
- Sustainability and climate goals: Railway's emission and land use efficiency
- Financial and regulatory landscape: Examine basic financial and regulatory constraints.
Keywords
Railway, infrastructure, asset management, transport systems, rolling stock, customer service, safety, sustainability, mobility, urban development
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Explain the role of railway in the transportation systems landscape and the evolution leading to a legacy system in place.
- Characterize the basics of planning and developing transport infrastructure.
- Identify fundamental railway technologies and their life-cycle management.
- Take into consideration the technological, financial, and political aspects of railway in its engineering and design.
- Assess / Evaluate the sustainability and climate goals of railway systems and assess measures.
- Develop skills for strategic decision making to evaluate railway in the mobility landscape.
Transversal skills
- Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
- Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
- Take responsibility for environmental impacts of her/ his actions and decisions.
Teaching methods
Lectures and case studies to discuss real-life challenges in railways
Expected student activities
Attend the lectures and participate in the excursion for practical insights; active involvement in discussions during the lecture.
Assessment methods
Term paper: Group work 3-4 students (40%)
Individual oral exam at the end of semester (60%)
Supervision
| Office hours | Yes |
| Assistants | Yes |
| Forum | Yes |
Dans les plans d'études
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Oral (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Railway systems and their transition
- Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Exercices: 1 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Type: optionnel
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Oral (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Railway systems and their transition
- Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Exercices: 1 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Type: optionnel
- Semestre: Automne
- Forme de l'examen: Oral (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Railway systems and their transition
- Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Exercices: 1 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Type: optionnel