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Heavy haul technology is regarded as an important orientation for the freight transportation development of the world and one of the important signs of railway modernization. Railway heavy haul has started in the 1950s, and become an essential transport method for bulk freight in many countries because of its comparative advantages as large capacity and high efficiency. The breakthroughs, particularly in aspects of traction power, high capacity and light-weight evolution of wagon, synchronous control technology, braking technology, etc., have boosted development of heavy haul transportation since 1980s, along with the wide application of high-tech in railway. Subsequently, all countries of the world have started to prepare new plans for heavy haul development, which contributed to the rapid development of heavy haul in a wider range. At present, in the countries with advanced heavy haul technologies, the freight transport volume accomplished by heavy haul has accounted for some 50% of the total, and the efficiency and benefit of heavy haul transport have been proven by its practical performance in these countries.
China Railway (CR) began to develop heavy haul technologies in the 1980s. In 1985, CR commenced the construction of the first electrified double-track heavy haul railway dedicated for coal transport between Datong and Qinhuangdao, which had the original design capacity up to 100 million tons in 2002. Since 2003, CR has relied on independent innovation, developed the whole set of technologies and equipments for heavy haul on Daqin Line in order to meet demands of rapid economy development, operated successfully 10, 000 t and 20, 000 t heavy haul trains on the railway, increased traffic volume on the railway up to 340 million tons by 2008, and established heavy haul technology system featured with CR' s characteristics consequently. Meanwhile, CR has implemented innovations in speed-up technology for existing busy trunk lines, and thus created a brand new mode as mixed operation of 200-250km/h electric multiple units (EMU) , 5000-6500t freight train and double-deck container train on the same tracks. CR has improved transport capacity, transport efficiency and train speed considerably, and made important contribution to national economy development.
International Heavy Haul Conference (IHHC) is a grand event for the engineers and technical personnel of worldwide heavy haul railway. IHHC 2009 will be successfully held in Shanghai through the joint efforts of Ministry of Railway, P. R. China and International Heavy Haul Association. Over 300 persons will attend the conference, including representatives of railway researchers, technical and management personnel from the USA, South Africa, Australia, Sweden, India, Russia, Brazil, Germany, China, etc. , as well as representatives of suppliers and manufacturers of railway products and railway operators. This conference will further enhance the communication and cooperation of people working on heavy haul in different countries.
IHHC 2009 will focus on "Heavy Haul and Innovation Development" , and carry out subject discussions on heavy haul transport and economy development, heavy haul locomotive technology, heavy haul vehicle technology, heavy haul train control and communication technology, heavy haul transport organization and management technology, heavy haul cab signaling technology, electrification technology for heavy haul lines, environmental protection of heavy haul, heavy haul train simulating calculation and testing, maintenance and engineering technology for heavy haul track. This book collects more than 250 papers from nearly 20 countries including the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India, China, etc. , which reflect the latest development of international heavy haul technology and is marked as an important achievement of this event. The publication of this book will certain make contributions to promoting the heavy haul development throughout the world.
Sincerest gratitude goes to all the authors, editors and publishers who have endeavored great efforts to the writing, editing and publishing of this book.