Page 482 - 360.revista de Alta Velocidad - Nº 6

Andersen, Sven

This time should now be compared with a similar regulation in China. The Chinese Code for
Design of High-sped railway formulates in chapter 4.2.3: “Generally, the additional time for
start of trains shall not be longer than 2,5 min, and that for stop of trains shall not be longer
than 1,5 min.”[3]. With a length of 1 min for the stop we can calculate the whole amount of
the stop to 5 min; with a length of stop with 2 min to 6 min. This is also the case in Japan. These
amounts lie clearly below the amount of 10 min.

Travelling between Barcelona and Zaragoza Delicitas for the first time on Tuesday 03-10-2017
with train AVE 3122, the author could watch that the train was running relative slowly through
the track leading from the main track to the platform track in the two stations Lleida and
Zaragoza. Regarding this observation it should be possible that in total 24 min for the three
intermediate stops at Zaragoza, Lleida and Camp de Tarragona should be enough. Concerning
this assumption please have a look at the train diagram study at the end of the final paper at
page 36.
Furthermore it is known that RENFE is proud of being absolutely punctual with the AVE traffic.
From a certain amount of delay RENFE reimburses the costs for the tickets to their passengers.
But it seems that this goal is achieved with a disproportionate prolongation of the stopping
time in stations and in the running time. RENFE should give up this goal and take all effort to
provide the highest possible commercial speed for a maximum of passengers. This goal always
must have the highest priority in high speed rail traffic.

Figure 2. Extract from present train diagram Madrid - Barcelona

Figure 2, taken from the current timetable Madrid - Barcelona, proves this finding impressively.
In the end AVE train 3193 needs additional 40 minutes for only 3 additional stops, including a
surely unproductive waiting time in the intermediate station Camp de Tarragona. The insufficient
infrastructure in this station doesn’t allow a quick overtaking.

480 360.revista de alta velocidad