Please note the date of 8 April 2015 in your diary. On this day, UIC Paris will host the Final Conference of the EC Funded SPECTRUM rail freight project which started four years ago in May 2011.
The Conference of the SPECTRUM project will not only focus on the results of the SPECTRUM project but will also highlight a number of other rail freight research projects to be presented by some high level experts and will discuss the added value of the results of SPECTRUM compared to other initiatives and recent developments in rail freight. It is also for this reason that it is organised “back to back” with the UIC Freight Forum meeting of 9 April.
The SPECTRUM project is coordinated by the NewRail research centre of the University of Newcastle, member of the UIC-IRRB, while UIC is a project partner as well as chair of the project’s Advisory Board. Other partners include Trafikverket, TCDD, Network Rail, Proctor & Gamble, TNO, the European Intermodal Association EIA, Railistics GmbH and 13 others.
SPECTRUM stands for: “Solutions and Processes to Enhance the Competitiveness of Transport by Rail in Unexploited Markets”.
SPECTRUM has explored the market opportunities for transport of low density, high value (LDHV) goods, utilising new and innovative rail concepts. Focus is on the extension of existing 21st century rail services and more visionary rail logistics services. Early project proceedings set the foundations for detailing concepts by defining technological and operational requirements.
Preliminary research was built upon with an assessment of existing conceptual designs and a shift in focus to assess technical and operational requirements.
SPECTRUM developed a detailed design concept for a high performance freight train that is efficiently lightweight, having driving performance characteristics that facilitate mixed running with passenger services and is capable of accommodating the required types of freight container unit.
Design work included:
• Optimised, lightweight, energy efficient freight wagon structures
• High speed running gear, including brakes and vehicle dynamics
• Electrical systems and coupling arrangements
• The handling of freight container units
Ultimately, a demonstrator is produced in order to validate the innovative high performance freight train design solutions developed in the project. Demonstrators such as the power conversion system that supports the reefers being carried, the running gear that supports high speed operation, critical aspects of the lightweight vehicle structure and the freight handling system are developed. ’Real life’ conditions in terms of scale, fabrication, installation maintainability and robustness are replicated.
