Author(s)

M. Galaverna, A. Imovilli & G. Sciutto

Abstract

Railways as an urban transport system: roles, technologies and analysis tools M. Galaverna, A. Imovilli, G. Sciutto Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica, Universita degli Studi di Genova, Via all'Opera Pia, 11 a, 1-16145 Genova, Italy 1 Introduction Railway is the most effective, safest and most economical mode of transport that allows large amounts of people to travel inside urban areas. Moreover, the use of electric traction makes the railway an urban transport system that is "clean" in terms of the severe problem of air pollution. Unfortunately, building new metrorail systems is often unfeasible, due to huge obstacles of economic and environmental nature. In view of these considerations, there is currently a growing interest in the possibility of utilizing the existing railway lines, both state-owned and licensed Actually, in most cases, railway lines go through medium and large Italian cities; however, only in few cities do railway lines play a key role

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