Reducing land take and energy use of high-speed railways through the robust design of operations

Hasegawa, Daisuke (2017). Reducing land take and energy use of high-speed railways through the robust design of operations. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

I address the problem of the high capital cost of high-speed railways and the need to reduce their energy use through the design of robust operations at the planning stage. Given the cost structure and benefits of different solutions, reducing the size of termini and maintaining robust operations in and near the termini is identified as a promising option for cost reduction. Two methodologies from manufacturing industry, namely, the Lean principle for cost reduction and the Taguchi method for robust design, are confirmed as suitable tools to realise the objective of improving the design of high-speed railways. I developed a novel approach that combines Lean and Taguchi techniques to deal with characteristic features of high-speed railways, such as the severe requirement for robust operations.
Finally, the worth of the combined approach has been demonstrated by means of case studies of current British conventional railway practice, current Japanese high-speed railway operations and the planned High Speed Two (HS2) line. The latter work has shown the possibility of a reduction in the proposed number of platforms at Euston Station, the main terminus of HS2 in London, as well as energy saving for traction.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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