To support the operational safety and lightning protection design of high-speed maglev railways, this paper quantitatively evaluates how suspension height and operating speed influence lightning susceptibility. It characterizes trends of the critical background electric field with respect to these two variables, tracks the evolution of surface hotspot distributions and identifies dominant attachment locations and their sensitivity.

A coupled procedure of “electrostatic field–aerodynamic flow field–scaled assessment” is proposed. The electrostatic model provides surface field-enhancement factors and their spatial distribution, while turbulent-flow simulations characterize near-wall density variations induced by speed. Under a unified leader height, a critical criterion based on a density-scaled breakdown field maps these two fields to a train-wise critical background electric field. Representative regions (nose, roof and bottom or tail) are used to build statistical metrics for hotspot migration and dominance with speed.

Increasing suspension height weakens electric-field coupling to ground, raises the critical background-field threshold and reduces the relative contribution of bottom and edge regions. At the same suspension height, a rigidly grounded train has a lower critical threshold than an electrically floating one. Within 0–500 km/h, the train-wise threshold decreases slowly with speed. Region-wise, roof-tail and bottom-mid sections show a decreasing trend with speed, while the nose stagnation point increases slightly; over the entire speed range, the dominant region remains the roof-tail section.

Within a unified framework, suspension height and operating speed affect lightning attraction through two distinct channels. Suspension height mainly modifies the threshold and hotspot distribution by changing geometric polarization, whereas speed alters discharge-initiation difficulty through aerodynamically induced density variations. The framework evaluates these effects separately and in combination, explaining the slow variation of the global threshold and the subtle evolution of hotspot locations and providing a physics-based reference for lightning protection design and operational safety assessment of high-speed maglev railway systems.

The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of modal shift intention from road freight transport to rail freight in Morocco, focusing on the perceived economic, energy and environmental performance of rail freight.

A quantitative survey was conducted among key freight transport stakeholders, including road carriers, industrial shippers, logistics operators and experts. A total of 483 valid questionnaires were collected. Measurement scales were derived from the literature and adapted to the Moroccan context. Data were analyzed using SPSS through descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation tests and multiple linear regression.

The results indicate generally positive perceptions of rail freight, particularly regarding energy efficiency and environmental performance. All three perceived performance dimensions have a positive and significant effect on modal shift intention. Perceived energy performance emerges as the strongest predictor, followed by environmental impact, while economic performance shows a significant but more moderate influence. The model demonstrates strong explanatory power. Research limitations/implications – The study relies on perceptual data and a non-probabilistic sampling approach, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research could integrate objective cost, energy and emission data; apply longitudinal designs or extend the model by incorporating institutional, infrastructural and policy-related variables to further explain rail freight adoption. Practical implications – The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, rail operators and logistics managers by highlighting the key levers for promoting rail freight development. Strengthening rail energy efficiency, improving service reliability and enhancing intermodal integration can significantly increase stakeholders’ willingness to shift freight from road to rail. Social implications – By encouraging modal shift toward rail freight, the study supports broader societal objectives related to environmental protection, energy security and sustainable development. Increased use of rail freight can contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower road congestion and improved quality of life in urban and industrial areas.

This study provides one of the first empirical investigations of rail freight modal shift determinants in Morocco, offering an integrated analysis of economic, energy and environmental factors within a single conceptual framework.

This paper presents an integrated technical and economic assessment of hot axle box detectors (HABD) and hot wheel detectors (HWD) important components of derailment prevention strategies, whose role extends beyond auxiliary monitoring to become cornerstones of derailment prevention and operational resilience. Building upon the International Union of Railways (UIC) Network Monitor Phases 1–3, the study synthesises international benchmarking evidence, cost–benefit analysis and operational practice to provide a coherent framework for decision-making, deployment and harmonisation.

The methodology combines three layers: (1) international benchmarking of national rules, detector spacing and alarm thresholds across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia; (2) a cost–benefit model based on avoided accidents, fatalities and disruption, tested through sensitivity analyses of detector density and false-alarm rates; and (3) operational doctrines covering alarm logic, reliability, availability, maintainability and safety requirements, operations control centre integration and lifecycle maintenance. The findings are aligned with European Union Agency for Railways guidance, UIC International Railway Solution (IRS) 70729 and lessons from Demonstration of Railway Infrastructure Reliability and Sustainable Railway projects.

Findings confirm that HABD/HWD systems provide significant safety and economic value when integrated into operational rulebooks, maintenance workflows and digital platforms. Multi-sensor and AIenabled detectors reduce false positives and enhance early detection, while international harmonisation efforts (e.g. IRS 70729 and EHMS) support cross-border interoperability. This study provides evidence-based guidance for risk-based deployment and lifecycle optimisation within modern railway safety frameworks.

This paper provides a comprehensive international synthesis that connects benchmarking, cost–benefit and operational safety frameworks into a structured doctrine for HABD/HWD deployment. It provides infrastructure managers and railway undertakings with evidence-based guidance on risk-based siting, lifecycle optimisation and international harmonisation. The work also contributes to the forthcoming UIC IRS, positioning HABD/HWD as globally relevant digital safety assets within the broader agenda of railway innovation, digitalisation and socio-economic resilience.

The purpose of this study is to reduce wheel–rail vibration noise (with the noise level increasing by approximately 9 dB for every doubling of train speed) by enhancing wheel damping. Besides, it verifies the performance of the damping wheel and provides support for the engineering application of low-noise wheels.

This study takes the damping ring-constraint layer composite wheel as the research object. First, it proposes a wheel scheme combining a damping ring and constrained damping. Then, it verifies the natural frequency and damping of the proposed wheel via 3D finite element modeling and modal analysis. Finally, in the laboratory, the wheel–rail relationship test setup is used to conduct tests on two types of wheel structures (nondamping wheel and damping wheel) under radial and axial excitation.

The damping wheel significantly reduces the corresponding radiated sound power level, with an overall noise reduction of approximately 10 dB or more, especially in the high-frequency region (around 3,150 Hz). The damping ring reduces high-frequency noise, while the constraint layer suppresses medium-low frequency noise. The combined structure outperforms single-component structures in the full frequency range, as it can suppress both high-frequency whistling noise and medium-low rolling noise.

The originality of this study lies in proposing a wheel scheme that combines a damping ring and constrained damping. The study’s value is to provide a theoretical basis and technical guidance for the engineering application of low-noise wheels in rail vehicles.

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the Brazilian freight railway system, examining the efficacy of the current concession renewal model in light of persistent structural problems such as market concentration, cargo dependence on export commodities and underutilization of the network. Situating Brazil within the broader international debate on railway reforms, the paper evaluates whether the ongoing early renewal of concessions can deliver a more diversified and competitive freight system.

The study adopts a sequential mixed-methods research design that integrates longitudinal quantitative analysis with qualitative institutional and policy evaluation. The quantitative component examines time-series indicators published by ANTT, DNIT and INFRA S.A. from 1999 to 2023 to identify structural patterns in traffic growth, investment, safety and market concentration. The qualitative component employs a process-tracing logic to reconstruct the evolution of concession renewals and the implementation of Railway Law 14.273/2021, drawing on concepts from regulatory economics, institutional theory and industrial organization. These empirical streams are synthesized through an analytical framework that connects three dimensions - regulatory design, market structure and system performance - allowing for a systematic assessment of how Brazil’s institutional configuration shapes incentives, competitive dynamics and network utilization.

The analysis confirms that the early renewal of concessions has successfully secured substantial private investment for capacity expansion on existing trunk lines. However, it has perpetuated the vertically integrated model, reinforcing the market power of incumbent operators and failing to significantly promote intramodal competition or cargo diversification. The system remains dominated by iron ore and agricultural commodities, with general cargo representing a minuscule share. The new authorization regime and short-line railway policies present a viable pathway for market opening but face significant operational and institutional barriers to implementation.

This research offers a timely and critical assessment of a pivotal moment in Brazilian railway policy. It moves beyond a simplistic evaluation of volume growth to a structural analysis of market failures and the interplay between concession renewal and regulatory innovation. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers in Brazil and other emerging economies seeking to balance private investment with public interest goals in railway infrastructure, highlighting the necessity of complementary, pro-competitive measures alongside financial investment.

Amidst an increasingly severe cybersecurity landscape, the widespread adoption of Xinchuang endpoints has become a strategic imperative. Governments and enterprises have established terminal localization as a critical objective, aiming for comprehensive indigenous replacement through rapid technological iteration. Consequently, Xinchuang systems and Windows platforms are expected to coexist over an extended period. This study seeks to establish an automated verification framework for multi-version operating systems and validate the efficacy of baseline hardening in mitigating security risks.

Based on the Classified Protection 2.0 framework and relevant national standards for endpoint security, this study proposes an endpoint security baseline verification scheme applicable to multiple operating systems. The scheme addresses divergent security policies and implementation methodologies across heterogeneous environments. It automates the inspection of core baselines, including account password complexity, default shared service status and patch installation status. Furthermore, a comprehensive scoring model is established by incorporating differentiated weights for account security, patch management and log auditing, ultimately generating visualized risk reports to facilitate remediation prioritization.

This study reveals that baseline configuration serves as the fundamental prerequisite in endpoint security practices. Through a scalable detection engine and quantitative scoring model, the system can promptly identify and remediate potential risks, thereby reducing the attack surface and mitigating intrusion risks. However, on certain domestic chip architectures, compatibility issues persist in detecting specific configuration items. Further improvement in hardware–software co-adaptation for domestic platforms is required to advance the development of localized security protection systems.

Through in-depth research on security baseline configurations across multiple operating systems, this study implements an automated and visualized baseline verification methodology. This approach significantly strengthens the security posture of domestic operating systems and supports the establishment of a more robust, national-level cybersecurity defense framework.

This study explores how managerial leadership and organizational innovation interact to enhance resilience and risk management in railway supply chains and how these capabilities contribute to sustained competitive advantage. It emphasizes the strategic importance of resilience in railway systems that face operational complexity, regulatory pressures and increasing exposure to systemic risks.

A mixed-methods design was employed, integrating survey data from 186 railway organizations with six case studies involving railway operators, rolling stock manufacturers and supply chain partners across multiple regions. Constructs were measured using validated scales and hypothesized relationships were tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Case study interviews were analyzed thematically to provide contextual understanding of leadership practices and innovation strategies.

The results confirm that transformational managerial leadership significantly predicts innovation adoption, which in turn strengthens resilience and risk management capabilities. Resilience emerged as a powerful driver of competitive advantage, reinforcing its role as a strategic capability rather than a reactive response to disruptions. Furthermore, innovation was shown to partially mediate the relationship between leadership and resilience, highlighting its function as the operational channel through which vision translates into capability.

This study contributes to the literature by integrating the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities (DC) framework into the context of railway supply chains. It is among the first to empirically validate the mediating role of innovation between leadership and resilience, offering both theoretical advancements and actionable strategies for building resilient and competitive railway systems.

With the deepening integration of rail transit systems–encompassing urban rail, regional railways, trunk lines and medium-low capacity transportation–the four-network integration imposes higher demands on operation and maintenance systems regarding cross-modal coordination, full-element interconnectivity and dynamic responsiveness.

This paper, based on policy directives and engineering practices, analyzes the operational maintenance characteristics of urban rail traction systems from perspectives including device interconnectivity and fault data mining. A non-intrusive high-frequency diagnostic device independent of vehicle control is proposed, informed by practical onboard operation experience. This innovation significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy for components requiring high sampling frequency, while integrating “Flash” storage with far greater capacity than conventional control chips.

This article will systematically introduces the key points and diagnostic methods for typical faults in urban rail traction systems. Through rational diagnostic algorithms combined with high-precision, high-storage diagnostic instrumentation, the overall safety and reliability of urban rail traction systems have been improved. The proposed non-intrusive high-frequency diagnostic solution has been validated across multiple rail lines.

This paper introduces an innovative non-intrusive diagnostic device with a dual-channel design for multi-system compatibility and a high-speed acquisition architecture enabling 400 kHz sampling. Its originality stems from the independent, high-fidelity capture of microsecond-level transient faults like IGBT shoot-through and pantograph arcing; Validated in operational environments, this approach provides a significant leap in diagnostic precision, directly enhancing traction system availability and operational safety by enabling precise fault localization and intelligent, adaptive protection strategies.

Interface management is the process of managing communications, responsibilities and coordination of project parties, phases or physical entities which are dependent on one another. Interface management is a crucial part of managing any construction project – but particularly important for high-speed railway projects that often have several contractual parties and stakeholders, very long project timelines and huge upfront cost overlays. This paper discusses how various project interfaces were managed during the design and construction of the civil engineering infrastructure for the High Speed Two (HS2) project in the United Kingdom.

The paper uses the case study methodology. Key interfaces on the HS2 project are grouped into various categories and the paper discusses how they were managed within the Area North Integrated Project Team (IPT) of the HS2 project made up of contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), the Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture (DJV) and client HS2 Ltd. 3 different case studies drawn from across the IPT are used, each of them highlighting different interfaces and how these interfaces were managed.

The paper shows how innovative technical designs and modern methods of construction were used to address some of the unique and peculiar challenges of designing a brand-new railway in the United Kingdom. Addressing the contrasting and often competing requirements of different stakeholders, coupled with challenging physical constraints of the very limited land available for the project and the use of a rarely used Act of Parliament in the delivery of the project required different approach to interface management. Collaboration and proactive stakeholder engagement are necessary for successful interface management on megaprojects. The authors posit that adopting an integrated approach to engineering and construction management is an essential ingredient for the successful delivery of high-speed railway projects.

With many high-speed railway projects around the world coming up in the next few years, understanding the context and challenges for each country will help engineering and design managers adopt appropriate approaches for their projects. The lessons learned on the HS2 project are also transferable to other mega infrastructure projects with complex project interfaces.

The utilization of alkali-free accelerators, primarily based on aluminum sulfate, in shotcrete often leads to significant shrinkage and cracking, jeopardizing long-term durability. This study aims to mitigate this issue by investigating the efficacy of silica fume (SF) and fly ash (FA), individually and combined, in controlling the shrinkage deformation of shotcrete.

Shotcrete mixtures were prepared with cement partially replaced by SF, FA, or their combination (SF-FA). Aluminum sulfate was used as an accelerator. The shrinkage behavior under sealed and dry conditions was monitored. The underlying mechanisms were elucidated through hardened airvoid analysis, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and internal humidity tracking.

Contrary to some previous studies, both individual and combined incorporation of mineral admixtures reduced the 28-day shrinkage. The SF-FA composite exhibited the most substantial reduction (23.72% sealed, 17.76% dry), followed by SF alone (18.11% sealed) and FA alone (11.35% sealed). Mechanism analysis revealed that the admixtures refined the pore structure, reduced the volume of harmful pores, and, crucially, optimized the air-void system by increasing the population of fine bubbles. This created an internal buffering effect that alleviates capillary stress. The synergistic effect in the SF-FA group is attributed to complementary pore-filling at dual scales.

This work demonstrates that, within an aluminum sulfate-accelerated shotcrete system, silica fume can effectively reduce shrinkage when its pore-refining effect is counterbalanced by a well-optimized micro-bubble network. It provides the first comprehensive evidence of the synergistic shrinkage-reducing mechanism of SF and FA in such systems, offering a practical strategy for mix design optimization to enhance the volume stability of shotcrete.