Journal of Transportation Research

Journal of Transportation Research

Assessment of the Qazvin-Rasht Railway Corridor to Enhance the Capacity of the Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran Rail Transit

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mehdi Moazami 1
Masoud Fathali 2
Babak Balazadeh 3
1 M.Sc., Grad., Railway Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Road, Housing and Urban Development Research Center, Tehran, Iran.
3 M.Sc., Grad., Department of Civil Engineering, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran.
10.22034/tri.2025.518033.3335
Abstract
International corridors enhance trade connections and lower travel costs and times by integrating transport infrastructures across the countries within their influence. These corridors involve various modes of transport—such as rail, road, and sea—which, when used together, create greater efficiency and flexibility for cargo transportation. To ensure a smooth flow of cargo movement along an international corridor, each mode of transport must operate effectively in coordination with others. Transitions between modes must be seamless, maintaining transport speed and consistency without disrupting the ongoing flow of goods. Additionally, the capacity and speed of cargo movement within each mode must be consistent across the different countries through which the corridor passes. According to agreements between Iran and Russia, the North-South Corridor will replace the Russian sea route for shipping cargo to India. This new route is expected to reduce freight transportation time by 40% and costs by 30%. The land section of this route in Iran will extend from Astara to Bandar Abbas. While most of the route is already operational, the Rasht-Astara section is still under development. This study aims to evaluate the Qazvin-Rasht railway axis in relation to the freight traffic anticipated for this route. Based on the initial design assumptions of the Qazvin-Rasht railway, it is predicted that certain segments may face capacity bottlenecks for the expected freight volume. This research will analyze the capacity of various blocks along the Qazvin-Rasht axis, identify sections with bottlenecks, and propose solutions to enhance their capacity. The findings indicate that a combination of increased traction force and intermediate block signaling in critical blocks can effectively achieve the necessary capacity for the North-South railway corridor.
Keywords
Line Capacity
Traction Increase
North-South Railway Corridor
Qazvin-Rasht Railway
Intermediate Block Signaling
Subjects
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