Multiobjective Railway Alignment Optimization Using Ballastless Track and Reduced Cross-Section in Tunnel

Salvatore Antonio Biancardo, Francesco Avella, Ernesto Di Lisa, Xinqiang Chen, Francesco Abbondati and Gianluca Dell’Acqua
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Salvatore Antonio Biancardo: Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Federico II University of Naples, 80125 Naples, Italy
Francesco Avella: Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Federico II University of Naples, 80125 Naples, Italy
Ernesto Di Lisa: Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Federico II University of Naples, 80125 Naples, Italy
Xinqiang Chen: Institute of Logistics Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
Francesco Abbondati: Department of Engineering, Parthenope University of Naples, 80133 Naples, Italy
Gianluca Dell’Acqua: Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Federico II University of Naples, 80125 Naples, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-19

Abstract: The increasing need for railway planning and design to connect growing cities in inland mountainous areas has pushed engineering efforts toward the research of railway tracks that must comply with more restrictive constraints. In this study, a multiobjective alignment optimization (HAO), commonly used for highway projects, was carried out to identify a better solution for constructing a high-speed railway track considering technical and economic feasibilities. Then, two different and innovative scenarios were investigated: an unconventional ballastless superstructure, which is more environment-friendly than a gravel superstructure, and a reduced cross-section in a tunnel, which enables a slower design speed and then, less restrictive geometric constraints and earthmoving. The results showed that the first solution obtained a better performance with a slight increase in cost. Moreover, both scenarios improved the preliminary alignment optimization, reducing the overall cost by 11% for the first scenario and 20% for the second one.

Keywords: railway alignment optimization; decision process; cost-benefit analysis; facilities planning and design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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