Analysis: the effect of the length of a single rail line on the capacity of the line

Abstract

Over the past 200 years, trains have vastly progressed the way in which people and goods have been moved from point A to point B. Proven to be one of the most effective modes of transport, railway network’s capacity is often pushed to the limit. Global increase in demand for resources and South Africa’s emerging economy has the consequence of the country’s railway infrastructure needing to be pushed to the limit. This paper gives the reader insight into the infrastructure system behaviour with respect to capacity of a rail line. A study is done on the Sishen-Saldanha single heavy haul railway line; different scenarios will be tested with the help of simulation software, to determine what the effects of the length of a railway line are on the capacity of the line. This data will then be analysed and the results could be used for further research.