Bangkok--1 Sep--Asian Institute of Technology
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Distinguished Adjunct Professor Research Seminar series got underway on 28 August 2015 with Prof. Buddhima Indraratna of the University of Wollongong, Australia, as the inaugural speaker.
Delivering a seminar on the topic "Advancement of Railway Infrastructure: Higher Speeds and Greater Loads,” Prof. Indraratna, who taught at AIT in the late 1980s and early 1990s, spoke about the latest research in railway transport, emerging issues and challenges faced by the transport sector, and highlighted the dynamics of high-speed railways.
Prof. Indraratna said that Australia has some of the longest freight trains in the world, leading to situations where the locomotive is in one town, while the last train bogey is in another. This creates a challenge since the same train may be commuting on differential railway substructures at the same time. He added that modernization of railways needs to cater to the consumer demand for higher train speeds, greater traffic densities and increased axle loads for sustainable productivity.
Stating that until 1990, the share of all modes of transport were almost the same; but it was in the runup to the Sydney Olympics that led to an upsurge in demand for railways. Further, the volume and movement of freight is expected to double over the next 10 years, while congestion and loss of productivity is expected to cost 30 billion dollars in 2015.
Quoting from research conducted at the University of Wollongong, Prof. Indraratna highlighted the advances made in preventing particle breakage, confining lateral pressure, use of energy absorbing rubber mats to prevent impact damage. and the use of recycled tyres into shock mats.
The guest speaker was introduced by Prof. Sivanappan Kumar, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), AIT, who complimented Prof. Indraratna for his exemplary achievements.