An assessment model of the single-track line carrying capacity: influence of the signalling system and application to the Trans-Mongolian railways / Un modello valutativo della potenzialità di linee a singolo binario: influenza del sistema di segnalamento ed applicazione alla ferrovia trans-mongolica

The Trans-Mongolian railway represents an interesting study case within the Trans-Asian connections, since - in these years - they have been subject to radical upgrading intended to increase its capacity. This article presents a study aimed at quantifying the potential benefits that may be expected from the introduction of signalling systems based on radio block, as the level 2 and level 3 ERTMS/ETCS; the study will resort to a dedicated analysis methodology which takes into explicit consideration the particularities of the single-track railway service and the need to set up the appropriate timetables in order to exploit at its best the potential of a more effective signalling system. To this purpose, beside the technical parameters, two operational ones are introduced, in the intent of modelling the train fleeting or platooning effects. Once the appropriate analysis formula was defined, it has been applied to the Mongolian line, thus obtaining results in the form of daily capacity maps, which are submitted and discussed.