Expert advice

05 Jul 2017 AECOM
The challenge of building a safe and efficient high-speed rail route involves looking beyond just the new high-speed section, say rail specialists Edwin Marks and Mat Brough. As the new generation of high-speed rail starts to be designed and built, some routes will be run solely on dedicated high-speed rail track, but others will use a combination of high-speed and existing main line. For high-speed train drivers the transition from high-speed to main line can be an exaggerated version of what car drivers experience when they come off the motorway onto a winding country road. These transitions are among the key considerations where safety requires special attention. Towards a safer high-speed rail The first step towards a safer new railway is quantifying the change in velocity between high-speed rail and conventional main line to understand the need to focus on the transitions. As an example, Britain’s new HS2 trains will travel on dedicated track at speeds of up to 400k
15 May 2017 AECOM
A holistic and integrated approach to urban development and growth is pointing the way to the future for cities in the Middle East writes IQ reporter Hilary Hastings. Iconic buildings and mega developments have long been a feature of sky-lines and development in many Middle Eastern cities; their silhouettes instantly recognizable and standing as powerful symbols of success. However, with growing populations and fluctuating oil prices there is a changing emphasis in the approach to urban development which is less about landmarks and more about the future and long-term sustainability. “In many cities we are seeing a shift from the construction of one-off buildings and developments to a more holistic and strategic view of urban development and attracting investment,” says Dr. Erin Brady, AECOM’s Principal of Design, Planning and Economics, Middle East, based in Abu Dhabi. “Cities compete for trade, tourism and investment and the changing oil market has strengthened
15 May 2017 AECOM
A holistic and integrated approach to urban development and growth is pointing the way to the future for cities in the Middle East writes IQ reporter Hilary Hastings. Iconic buildings and mega developments have long been a feature of sky-lines and development in many Middle Eastern cities; their silhouettes instantly recognizable and standing as powerful symbols of success. However, with growing populations and fluctuating oil prices there is a changing emphasis in the approach to urban development which is less about landmarks and more about the future and long-term sustainability. “In many cities we are seeing a shift from the construction of one-off buildings and developments to a more holistic and strategic view of urban development and attracting investment,” says Dr. Erin Brady, AECOM’s Principal of Design, Planning and Economics, Middle East, based in Abu Dhabi. “Cities compete for trade, tourism and investment and the changing oil market has strengthened
05 Jul 2017 AECOM
The challenge of building a safe and efficient high-speed rail route involves looking beyond just the new high-speed section, say rail specialists Edwin Marks and Mat Brough. As the new generation of high-speed rail starts to be designed and built, some routes will be run solely on dedicated high-speed rail track, but others will use a combination of high-speed and existing main line. For high-speed train drivers the transition from high-speed to main line can be an exaggerated version of what car drivers experience when they come off the motorway onto a winding country road. These transitions are among the key considerations where safety requires special attention. Towards a safer high-speed rail The first step towards a safer new railway is quantifying the change in velocity between high-speed rail and conventional main line to understand the need to focus on the transitions. As an example, Britain’s new HS2 trains will travel on dedicated track at speeds of up to 400k