Technologies and Strategies for Promoting Metro Rail Sustainability: A Case Study in China: Fid-Bau Portal

Technologies and Strategies for Promoting Metro Rail Sustainability: A Case Study in China

Zhang, Zhujing / Wang, Guangbin / Zhou, Zhefeng / Xu, Xiaodong / Lin, Wensheng

Metro rail systems play a key role in urban development due to its relatively low ratio between energy consumption and transport capacity. As sustainable development became an international priority in the last decade, public authorities and the society have shown interest for more sustainable methods for delivering metro rail services. Research revealed that the sustainable level of a transportation system is related to system effectiveness and efficiency. Emerging technologies offer possibilities to promote such practice through intelligent operation and maintenance. As such, this paper presents a technology integration framework to facilitate effective and efficient operation and maintenance for metro rail projects. Cloud computing, fully automated operation, building information modeling, prognostic and health management, and artificial intelligence have been identified as key technologies for promoting metro rail sustainability. The framework, therefore, is formed by these technologies, along with their summarized functions and their inter-relations. In addition, strategies such as development of collaboration intensive environment and facilitate deepen cooperation between industry and academic are also acknowledged, which are expected to be integrated with the technology implementation. Moreover, case study of a pilot metro rail project in China with the proposed technology integration framework and strategies is presented. This paper provides valuable insights into the successful delivery of sustainable metro rail system.