Contact Rail: Implementation, Advantages, and Disadvantages

Modern ground transport can be divided into two types: powered by a contact rail and equipped with autonomous power units. Each has its pros and cons. However, both options pose risks to people when operating at ground level. Let’s explore how uST transport and infrastructure complexes fundamentally differ from other systems that use contact rails.

Tram

This type of rail transport is considered one of the oldest, having entered common use long before the invention of the locomotive. The word tramway originally referred to tracks used for horse-drawn wagons or carts, which were employed as early as the 1500s to transport ore from mines to the surface. Most trams today run on electric traction powered through an overhead contact line, though some use a third rail or batteries.

Advantages of trams include relatively low track-laying costs compared to metro or monorail systems, as well as cost-effective operation, flexible scheduling, eco-friendliness, and passenger safety.

Among the obvious disadvantages are low capacity (up to 15,000 passengers/hour), inability to fully isolate tram rails, leading to electricity leakage and stray currents that damage nearby underground infrastructure.

Electric Train

A distant relative of the steam locomotive, first converted to electric traction in 1896. Used for high-speed above-ground and underground passenger transport. Both metro systems and electric trains are classified as off-street transport with dedicated dimensions. The metro is powered by a third rail, while electric trains typically use an overhead contact line.

An unconditional advantage of the metro is its passenger convenience: high speed and adjustable intervals unaffected by weather. However, construction costs are extremely high, affordable only for large urban areas. In addition, only 30% of metro systems worldwide are automated, meaning the remaining 70% require extensive skilled personnel. Subways are also unsafe for passengers: contact with the high-voltage third rail can be instantly fatal.

Electric trains, both above and below ground, require extensive supporting infrastructure (rail networks , crossings, overpasses, bridges, interchanges, and stations). Their implementation is generally cheaper than metro systems but far more expensive than tram lines. Construction often results in significant environmental pollution or destruction. Nonetheless, electric trains greatly improve regional transport accessibility. However, being on the tracks poses a deadly risk to both people and animals.

Trolleybus

A relatively young yet widely popular form of public transport that entered common use in the early 20th century. It is a mechanical, rail-free wheeled vehicle powered by electricity, which it receives through a dual-wire overhead contact system via a pole-mounted current collector.

The trolleybus’s main benefit is its ability to travel on regular roadways within traffic flow, eliminating the need for dedicated tracks. Building and maintaining the overhead contact line is relatively inexpensive compared to other transport systems. Compared to trams, trolleybuses are more maneuverable, capable of deviating up to 4.5 meters from the contact line and navigating tighter curves. Its power system is complex but does not produce harmful stray currents. Trolleybuses are environmentally friendly and durable.

Disadvantages: They are slower on average than most other public transport types, vulnerable to weather conditions (icing of contact lines and road surfaces), and cannot operate without power. In rare cases, they may pose a danger to passengers—if insulation fails, the vehicle body can deliver an electric shock to those exiting.

Monorail

This transport type began development in the 1820s, though its first commercial application came about 150 years later. The monorail is part of the above-ground transport systems, offering clear advantages: separation from road traffic, the ability to follow complex routes with slopes and curves, and high-speed potential.

However, its drawbacks often outweigh its benefits. These include expensive elevated track construction, complex technical maintenance, operational challenges due to weather conditions, and lower passenger capacity compared to metro systems.

String Transport

Public transport infrastructure has evolved over the past 150 years, yet no solution has fully combined practicality, affordability, comfort, safety, environmental friendliness, and cost-efficiency. Or has it? Let’s take a closer look at uST transport and infrastructure complexes.

First, uST systems are advanced above-ground solutions, with track structures typically elevated 10 meters above ground. Second, structural components such as beams and intermediate supports require minimal land use and can be constructed in just a few weeks. The cost is significantly lower than laying tram or metro tracks. 

Third, thanks to the pre-stressed rail design, the track structure is exceptionally strong and stable, with a capacity of up to 50,000 passengers per hour and adjustable flow control.

Fourth, string rail transport is arguably the most eco-friendly solution, suitable for both urban environments and natural landscapes. It’s also highly aesthetic, safe, and requires minimal ongoing maintenance.

How the uST Complex Works

We intentionally compared the string rail transport system with other systems that use a contact rail. In uST transport and infrastructure complexes, the contact rail also serves as a conductive component that supplies power to the rolling stock with minimal energy loss. This is especially critical in uST systems, where uPods operate at high speeds and short intervals, requiring stable and reliable power delivery. The contact rail is laid along the track structure and connected to DC or AC power sources via distribution points.

The contact rail in uST systems is made from high-quality copper and aluminum alloys, ensuring excellent conductivity and wear resistance. A key design element is the rail profile, which is engineered to meet mechanical strength and safety requirements. The profile typically features a smooth, even surface for optimal contact with the current collectors of the rolling stock.

It’s worth noting that some systems use self-clamping connection technology, which provides secure electrical and mechanical bonding between individual rail sections.

To prevent accidental contact with live components, the contact rail in uST systems is shielded from the environment using protective barriers and insulators. Additionally, real-time monitoring systems are employed to ensure the rail’s integrity and proper operation.

Advantages of uST Systems

Using a contact rail in uST systems offers several key benefits:
1.    High energy transmission efficiency. The contact rail ensures Minimal power loss during current transmission, which helps conserve energy and reduce operating costs.
2.    Enhanced reliability and durability. Modern materials and technologies allow contact rails to withstand heavy mechanical loads and harsh weather conditions.
3.    Safety. Protective and insulating systems eliminate the risk of electric shock and ensure reliable operation even in extreme environments.
4.    Ease of maintenance. Modular rail design and advanced connection technologies enable quick repairs and replacement of damaged sections.

An Alternative Solution

In rapidly growing urban agglomerations, where residential areas and highways require careful planning, achieving transport accessibility is not always immediate or guaranteed. This affects residents’ comfort, often forcing them to rely on personal vehicles for everyday tasks.

uST transport and infrastructure complexes offer a fast and efficient solution to this problem, without the need to dismantle or reroute existing utilities. This high-performance transport system can complement and ease the load on current routes, becoming a true gift for city dwellers. It also serves as an excellent addition to tourist routes, offering scenic sightseeing excursions.