• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.373-380
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• 2014

With a view to the commercialization of the Korean automatic variable-gauge bogie in the Eurasia railway system, the aim of this research was to perform an economic analysis concerning the possible introduction and operation of this bogie at the present time. For this purpose, we compared the possible types of freight connection service for container transportation, transshipment and the gauge-adjustable system, estimating the total life-cycle cost (LCC) incurred by each system, depending on type and quantity, over the whole process of acquisition, operation, maintenance and disposal. Based on this, we presented a case-by case analysis. Furthermore, in estimating economic feasibility, we analyzed the cost-benefit ratio taking into account not only the objective LCC, but also the reduced time required for the gauge-change and customer convenience. After estimating the LCC and analyzing the cost-benefit ratio of the respective systems, we demonstrated the economic superiority of view of the gauge adjustable system.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.334-342
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• 2012

It is connected with various gauges existing in Euro-Asian continents. Such differences impedes the operation seriously as on the contact of railway tracks of different gauge the cargo must be either transshipped or the running assemblies of rail vehicles must be exchanged. Those operations are costly, time-consuming and require extended infrastructure together with very expensive storage and transshipment facilities at border-crossing point. Moreover, those operations extend transportation time considerably. Therefore, effectiveness of railway transportation systems significantly depends on track gauge change 1435/1520mm, which connects with complicated handling-shifting operations. The paper concerns assessment of effectiveness in strategical rail systems with gauge changing. The paper presents short description of transport system with gauge changing and initial assessment of shifting technologies. Method of system assessment comparison based on Life Cycle Cost model is described here as well.