RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION Cotm 4203

CHAPTER – 4

INTRODUCTION OF RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

4. TRANSPORTATION

Transportation is the process moving a people and goods from one place to
another place with safely.

Modes of Transportations

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4.1 SIGNIFICANCE (OR) IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORTATION

Followings are the points of importance of transport:

1. Makes available raw materials to manufacturers or producers

2. Makes available goods to customers
3. Enhances standard of living
4. Helps during emergencies and natural climates
5. Helps in creation of employment
6. Helps in labour mobility
7. Helps in bringing nations together

SIGNIFICANCE OF ROAD TRANSPORTATION

Road transportation is better way for carrying a people and goods from one
place to over a short distance. It is very cheapest method in transportation system.

Example: Road Transportation using by Bus, Truck, Car and Two wheelers etc..

Passenger Goods

Advantages of Road transport

1. It is a relatively cheaper mode of transport as compared to other modes.

2. Perishable goods can be transported at a faster speed by road carriers over
a short distance.
3. It is a flexible mode of transport as loading and unloading is possible at
any destination. It provides door-to-door service.

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4. It helps people to travel and carry goods from one place to another, in
places which are not connected by other means of transport like hilly areas.

Limitations of Road transport

1. Due to limited carrying capacity road transport is not economical for long
distance transportation of goods.
2. Transportation of heavy goods by road involves high cost.
3. It is affected by adverse weather conditions. Floods, rain, landslide, etc.,
sometimes create obstructions to road transport.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RAIL TRANSPORTATION

Rail Transport is best for carrying bulk goods and a large number of people
from one place to over a long distance with more comfortably and safely. But initial
cost for laying is high.

Example: Rail Transportation using by Trains driven by rail engines and they use
steam, diesel or electric power to move.

Passenger Goods

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Advantages of Rail transport

1. It is a convenient mode of transport for traveling long distances.

2. It is relatively faster than road transport.
3. It is suitable for carrying heavy goods in large quantities over long
distances.
4. Its operation is less affected by weathering like rain, floods, fog, etc.

Limitations of Railway transport

1. It is relatively expensive for carrying goods and passengers over short

distances.
2. It is not available in remote parts of the country.
3. It provides service according to fixed time schedule and is not flexible for
loading or unloading of goods at any place.
4. It involves heavy losses of life as well as goods in case of accident.

SIGNIFICANCE OF WATER TRANSPORTATION

Water Transport is way for carrying bulk goods and a large number of people
from one place to over a short distance and long distance.

Example: Water Transportation using by Boats and Ships etc…

Passenger Goods

Water Transportation is two types:

1. Inland Water Transportation

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2. Sea (or) Ocean Transportation

1. Inland Water Transportation

To carry goods and passengers on river and canal water ways.

2. Sea (or) Ocean Transportation

To carry goods and passengers on Sea (or) Ocean water ways.
a. Coastal shipping
In this transportations by boats and ships between the main ports
of a country.
b. Overseas shipping
In this transportations by ships between different country ports.

Advantages of water transport Water Transport

It is a relatively economical mode of transport for bulky and heavy goods.

1. It is a safe mode of transport with respect to occurrence of accidents.

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2. The cost of maintaining and constructing routes is very low as most of

them are naturally made.
3. It promotes international trade.

Limitations of water transport Water transport

1. The depth and navigability of rivers and canals vary and thus, affect
operations of different transport vessels.
2. It is a slow moving mode of transport and therefore not suitable for
transport of perishable goods.
3. It is adversely affected by weather conditions.
4. Sea transport requires large investment on ships and their maintenance.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AIR TRANSPORTATION

Air Transport is better way for carrying bulk goods and a large number of
people from one place to over a short distance and long distance, with more
comfortably and safely.

Example: Air Transportation using by Aircraft and Helicraft.

Passenger Goods

Modes of Air transportation

1. Air transportation for passengers

2. Air transportation for cargos

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Air Transportations are two types.

1. Domestic Air Transportation

Air transportation between inter country.
2. International Air Transportation
Air transportation between other countries.

Advantages of Air transport

1. It is the fastest mode of transport.

2. It is very useful in transporting goods and passengers to the area, which
are not accessible by any other means.
3. It is the most convenient mode of transport during natural climates.
4. It provides vital support to the national security and defence.

Limitations of air transport

1. It is relatively more expensive mode of transport.

2. It is not suitable for transporting heavy and bulky goods.
3. It is affected by adverse weather conditions.
4. It is not suitable for short distance travel.
5. In case of accidents, it results in heavy losses of goods, property and life

4.2 RAIL TRANSPORTATION

Rail Transport is best for carrying bulk goods and a large number of people
from one place to over a long distance with more comfortably and safely. But initial
cost for laying is high.

Example: Rail Transportation using by Train.

These trains are driven by rail engines and they use steam, diesel or electric
power to move.

Advantages of Rail Transportation

1. Economical Advantage
2. Social Advantages

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1. Economical Advantage
a. Low cost for passenger transportation
b. Low cost for goods transportation
c. Low maintenance cost
2. Social Advantages
a. It is a convenient mode of transport for travelling to long distances.
b. It is faster than road transport.
c. It is suitable for carrying heavy goods in large quantities over long
distances.
d. Its operation is less affected by weathers conditions like rain, floods,
fog, etc...

4.3 MAIN ROLE OF RAILWAYS

1. To transport the people from one place to another place.

2. To transport the raw materials from one place to another place for
industrial purpose.
3. To transport the agricultural products to overall the country.
4. To transport the coals to energy sectors.
5. To transport the petroleum products to consumer.

4.4 CLASSIFICATION OF RAILWAYS

1. Broad Gauge
2. Meter Gauge
3. Narrow Gauge

1. Broad Gauge:
It means of centre to centre spacing between two rails gauges are
1676mm.
2. Meter Gauge:
It means of centre to centre spacing between two rails gauges are
1000mm.
3. Narrow Gauge:
It means of centre to centre spacing between two rails gauges are
676mm.

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METHODS OF RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION

1. Surface Railways
2. Underground Railways
3. Elevated Railways
4. Mono Railways
5. Tube Railways
6. Metro Railways
7. Other Railways

1. Surface Railways:
 The railway lines passing through the normal ground surface.
 These railways are called surface railways.

2. Underground Railways:
 The railway lines passing through below the ground surface by using
of tunnels.
 These railways are called underground railways.

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3. Elevated Railways:
 The railway lines passing through the bridges throughout its way.
 These railways are called elevated railways.

4. Mono Railways:
 The railway lines passing through the bridges throughout its way, but it
differ from elevated railways (hanging system).
 These railways are called mono railways.

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5. Tube Railways:
 The railway lines passing through below the ground surface throughout
its way by using of tube tunnels.
 These railways are called tube railways.

6. Metro Railways:
 The railway lines passing through the natural ground and bridges.
 This type railway is suitable for high population areas and operation
between short distances (cover entire city area).

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 These railways are called metro railways.

7. Other Railways:
 The railway lines passing through the streets and between the roads, its
look like a bus.
 It operates by using of electrical power like a tram railway.
 Moving speed of tram rail is 10km to 15km per hour.
 These railways are called Tram railways (or) Light Rail Transit (LRT).

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDER FOR LAYING OF NEW RAILWAY LINE

1. Cost new railway project.

2. Safety in railway line during construction and after construction.
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3. Speed of construction in railway project.

4. Indentify the short length route.
5. Mild gradient or up and down slope level.
6. Environmental climate or Weathering conditions.
7. Topography of new proposed railway line area.
8. Hills and location of tunnels.
9. Road way and river crossing zone.
10. Important stations and locations.

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