 After joining a road train, drivers will be able to sit back and relax Road trains that link vehicles together using wireless sensors could soon be on European roads. An EU-financed research project is looking at inexpensive ways of getting vehicles to travel in a 'platoon' on Europe's motorways. Each road train could include up to eight separate vehicles - cars, buses and trucks will be mixed in each one. The EU hopes to cut fuel consumption, journey times and congestion by linking vehicles together. Early work on the idea suggests that fuel consumption could be cut by 20% among those cars and trucks travelling behind the lead vehicle. Spanish trials The lead vehicle would be handled by a professional driver who would monitor the status of the road train. Those in following vehicles could take their hands off the wheel, read a book or watch TV, while they travel along the motorway. Their vehicle would be autonomously controlled by the lead vehicle. Funded under the European Commission's Framework 7 research plan, Sartre (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) is aimed at commuters in cars who travel long distances to work every day but will also look at ways to involve commercial vehicles. Tom Robinson, project co-ordinator at engineering firm Ricardo, said the idea was to use off-the-shelf components to make it possible for cars, buses and trucks to join the road train. "The goal is to try and introduce a step change in transport methods," he said. "We're looking at what it would take to get platooning on public highways without making big changes to the public highways themselves," said Mr Robinson. A system that involved wiring up motorways with sensors to help control the road trains would be prohibitively expensive, he said. "Each of the vehicles will have their own control and software monitoring system," said Mr Robinson. "There may well be a platoon sensor envelope that collates information and presents it to the lead vehicle so it can understand what is happening around all the vehicles." The idea is to make platoons active so vehicles can join and leave as they need. Mr Robinson speculated that those joining a platoon or road train may one day pay for the privilege of someone else effectively driving them closer to their destination. Sartre will run for three years. The project partners are currently doing preliminary research to find out all the elements needed for a working system and the situations in which it might be used. There were also behavioural elements to consider, said Mr Robinson, such as whether all the vehicles will need to have their hazard lights on while in a platoon. Also, he said, there had to be a way to ensure the vehicles in a platoon are organised to make drivers feel safe. "Car drivers do not want to be between trucks," he said. Towards the end of the research project trials will be held on test tracks in the UK, Spain and Sweden. There are also plans for public road trials in Spain. The first platoon will involve two trucks and three cars. | |
Monday, November 9, 2009
Road Trains' Get Ready to Roll
Sunday, November 8, 2009
German Wonderful Trains .......... Wow
The fastest train of Deutsche Bahn AG is enjoying highest reputation.
At speeds up to 300 km/h the ICE takes you to your destination quickly and safely, offering best comfort. With a wide range of service offers and modern, comfortable interior, travelling with ICE becomes a real pleasure.
Travelling safely at top speed
The ICE service operates between many cities at hourly or two-hourly intervals and even goes as far as Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands. Cross-platform interchanges from ICE to ICE is possible at many stations, without any stairs or long-distances to walk. The comfort and convenience of the ICE are sure to win you over. ICE trains are fully air-conditioned and have a low noise level.
Comfort in every aspect
In all ICE trains you have a wide choice of seats. When reserving your seat at the counter you can state whether you wish a window or aisle seat, whether you prefer a row seat or face-to-face and if you would like a seat with a fxed table. On request you may receive a reservation for a seat in an area with improved mobile phone reception. If you want to travel in a relaxed atmosphere, we recommend reserving a seat in the silent area. In both 1st and 2nd class coaches you will find comfortable seats that can be reclined or raised. There are also fixed or hinged tables at all seats.
Passengers travelling with young children are recommended to reserve a seat in the parent-and-child compartment. All ICE trains have special facilities for the disabled, e.g. wide doors, wheelchair parking and handicapped accessible toilets. A baby’s changing table is also available on all ICE trains. Please reserve these seats at the counter or at our call center.
The Service
Our friendly service crew will gladly help you with any questions or requests. A PA system provides information about the next stop and connections available. The information leaflet "Ihr Reiseplan" at your seat also features the available services and connections.
Passengers can buy daily newspapers at the Bordbistro.
During the journey you can leave your luggage in one of the ICE lockers in the vestibules, e.g. when visiting the BordRestaurant. The deposit will be returned to you when you remove your luggage. The service crew on the train also takes orders for taxis or porters. The taxi or porter will then be waiting for you when you reach your destination.
Some first class coaches feature individual video screens at the seat. Almost all 1st and 2nd class seats have an integrated audio connection. You can choose between three radio stations and the ICE programs which features classical music/jazz, rock/pop and the children’s channel.
Food and Beverages
There is a Bordbistro and/or Bordrestaurant on all ICE trains. Depending on the time of the day, you can choose from various breakfast menus to suit any taste or from à la carte main dishes. In addition to the standard dishes the menu often features German and European regional specialities. The Bordbistro serves snacks and a wide selection of beverages which you can partake of there or take back to your seat. In 1st class coaches a selection of beverages and meals from our menus can be served at your seat upon request. In 2nd class snacks and beverages are also available at your seat.
City Night Line
There are three categories of travel to choose from on the night train: seat, couchette or comfortable sleeper. Reservations are compulsory.
DB is setting new standards in travel, design and style with the introduction of its new sleeper carriages. Elegantly curved corridors, soft lighting, attractive design, high-quality materials and careful planning provide a pleasant ambience.
Depending on your booking you will find either a shower and toilet or a wash basin inside your compartment as well as many other new extras: a call system, a card key, as well as storage for your cases. The tap water in the sleeper carriages even offers drinking water! Sleeping should not be a problem – even at speeds of 200 kph the cushioned axles ensure you sleep undisturbed throughout the night.
The new sleeper carriages also provide a deluxe suite with two to six beds! This spacious compartment offers, for example, two wash basins, the option of having a shower and toilet, and two tables at which you can enjoy your complimentary breakfast.
And night travel does not have to be expensive. Please enquire about special SparNight offers with overnight rail travel within Germany and to some European destinations.
DB Autozug - Motorail
Arrive refreshed after travelling by rail and still be mobile when you get to your destination.
Travelling by motorail is the ideal way to combine rail and road travel. Motorail trains operated by DB Autozug depart from 14 German stations to some 20 destinations in Germany and in European holiday regions. Overnight travel is particularly recommended so that passengers do not lose a day of their holiday.
All trains have air-conditioned sleeper compartments or seated coaches. The couchettes are in the process of being fully modernized and air conditioned couchette cars will be available on long-distance routes in the future. There are three tariffs for motorail travel according to season. The price depends on the route, travel date, number of people and category of travel selected.Local Trains
A new generation of local trains offers greater comfort and faster journey times.
Comfortable seats, spacious multi-purpose compartments and entry at platform level without steps are some of their features. The rolling stock is gradually undergoing further improvement.
Departure at regular intervals with easy-to-remember departure times, designed to connect without long waiting times, makes local travel and the transition from local to long-distance travel easy and pleasant.
The following local trains are available in Germany:
InterRegio-Express (IRE)
The InterRegio-Express connects cities and offers travelling in comfortable modern trains. It leaves at regular intervals and links local to long-distance trains.
Regionalbahn (RB)
The Regionalbahn offers basic service from all local stations. It provides the connection between the regions and the city centres. It also gives connections to the Regional-Express.
Stadt-Express (SE)
The Stadt-Express offers quick direct connections to city centres. Outside of the S-Bahn network it stops at all stations, within the S-Bahn network it only stops at selected stations.S-Bahn
The S-Bahn runs frequently and is the basic means of travelling within cities and high density areas.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Rawalpindi Expressway
The proposed expressway between Secretariat II intersection and Chandni Chowk will be completed in two years at a cost of Rs13 billion.
Mr Shairf directed the relevant authorities to complete the formalities within minimum time so that the construction work could be started at the earliest. He said the elevated highway would be completed expeditiously to provide better transport facilities to the citizens of Rawalpindi and to solve of traffic problems on the Benazir Bhutto Road.
He was talking to reporters at the Islamabad airport after attending a meeting on the muchawaited project. Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, MNA Khwaja Mohammad Asif, Rawalpindi Commissioner Zahid Saeed, RPO Mohammad Aslam Tareen, DCO Imdadullah Bosal, CPO Rao Mohammad Iqbal, National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak) vice-president Qazi Iftikhar and other officers were also present.
Mr Sharif said third party evaluation as well as other measures should be adopted for ensuring high standards of construction.
Commissioner Zahid Saeed and Nespak vice-president Qazi Iftikhar said that due to the heavy cost of the original plan, under which the elevated expressway was to be built from The Mall to Double Road, the chief minister had issued instructions last month to rationalise the expenditure. After reports by various committees, a revised project has been prepared which involves comparatively less expenditure. They said earlier the estimated project cost was Rs30 billion.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Comprehensive System to Improve Public Transport’
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LAHORE: The government has devised a comprehensive system to provide better transport facilities to people across the province, Transport, Excise and Taxation Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman said on Sunday.
In a statement, he said the government would purchase new buses for the provincial metropolis soon, adding new automatic ticketing system would also be introduced. He said the government was determined to provide modern transport facilities to the people and was giving 25 percent subsidy to the operators for this purpose.
Talking to different delegations, the minister said public transport was an indicator of the development and public awareness in any country. He said providing modern facilities to the people was the government’s priority and public transport was being improved to fulfil this demand.
He said no nation could progress without an efficient transport system. He said the government would encourage only those operators— locals or foreigners— who were capable of managing the transport system and providing better transport facilities to passengers. He said the government would opt for a balanced policy while allotting routes to buses and would not allow vehicles without permits to ply their trade on roads.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
CDA Islamabad Shelves Rapid Mass-Transit and CNG Bus Service Projects
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Financial crisis, lack of skilled staff
CDA shelves RMTS, CNG bus service projects
* Official says civic agency has set aside plans to improve traffic and public transport system
* Traffic and transport problems will aggravate
ISLAMABAD: The traffic and transport problems in the federal capital are likely to aggravate, as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has shelved its Rapid Mass Transit System (RMTS) and CNG bus service projects.
Keeping in view the traffic problems, the CDA had planned to launch RMTS and CNG bus service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, but due to financial crisis and lack of skilled staff the authority has shelved these projects. “Current traffic problems would further increase, as the CDA has set aside its plans to improve traffic system in the city, a senior official of the civic agency told Daily Times on Friday.
He said last year the authority had planned to launch CNG bus service through a joint venture with a private company. In the first phase the company had to ply 50 buses and later on increase their number to 300, he said. The official said the CDA had also signed an agreement with a private company in this regard.
He said the CDA had also made a plan to launch RMTS between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. According to the plan, the CDA had hired a consultant to conduct feasibility study of the project, but he did not start work due security reasons and refused to carry out the study, he said, adding, the CDA failed to hire another consultant to conduct the study, he said.
He said Islamabad, being the federal capital and centre of economic and services activities, is attracting traffic from all over the country. Since Rawalpindi and Islamabad are twin cities, an increased commuting takes place between the two cities, he added. So far the relevant authorities have failed to introduce an organised transport system due which people rely on the minibuses, he said, adding, the service of these buses is far below than an acceptable standard.
He said the twin cities were growing at a rate of more than four percent per annum, comparatively higher than national growth indicating significant increase in migration to these cities. Present population of Islamabad alone is 1.2 million, he said, adding that currently both the cities accommodated a population of over 2.78 million.
It is learnt that approximately 1,800 passenger vans are plying on Saddar, Pak Secretariat, Peshawar Mor, Karachi Company, Faisal Mosque, Adiala Jail and Pirwadhai routes of the twin cities, but they are unable to cope with the ever increasing heavy rush of passengers.
The officials said due to negligence of the authorities the vans plying on these route were mostly overloaded creating suffocation, especially during the rush hours in the morning and afternoon when people and students have to dash to their destinations. “Due to shortage of vans the public transporters not only indulge in overloading but also did not complete their routes creating problems for commuters on daily basis,” he said.
NAB Completes Probe into Lahore Rapid Mass Transit System Scam
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LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has completed investigations of the misappropriation of Rs 401.15 million through bogus bills in the Lahore Rapid Mass Transit System and is seeking shifting of the case along with complete record from the Anti-Corruption Court to the Accountability Court.
Through an official letter, NAB Chief of Staff Ashfaq Ashraf has asked Anti-Corruption Director General Kazim Ali Malik to shift the case with complete record to the Accountability Court. After receiving the letter from the NAB, Malik said he issued directions to the officials concerned to shift the case.
According to a report, a reference would be submitted in the (accountability) court after approval from the NAB chairman. The government had already paid Rs 250 million to a France-based company for the project. The report said the NAB director general authorised an inquiry as the Punjab Transport Department officials had misappropriated Rs 400 million through bogus invoices. Transport Department Section Officer Shah Nawaz, his son Umar Farooq, his brother Afzaal Gulzar, his brother-in-law Javed Yousaf, cashier Shamshad Gulzar, his wife Farhat Shamshad, Accounts Officer Tahir Sherazi and Senior Auditor Hafeezur Rehman have been arrested.
