Analysis of train speed performance on Nigeria railway corporation Lagos district narrow gauge track

Abstract

The study examines the railway speed performance on a 41km mainline section of the 3505km national network used for the Lagos Mass Transit Train service within the Lagos Administrative District of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC). The study was necessary in order to establish improvements in track performance following recent rehabilitation of the entire 3505km narrow gauge line in the country. Speed performance of train was measured using a vehicle tracking device placed inside a Kano bound train that continuously recorded the location and speed movement via Global Positioning System (GPS). The 41km section used in the study was divided into 2km subsection with number of curves and level crossing recorded against the average speed change using satellite image from Google Earth Pro. Result shows an average speed of 40km/h with peak speed performance around 53km/h while the least recorded was 20km/h. Result from correlation analysis indicate curves and level crossings, the two speed inhibitors have a high positive correlation index of 0.862 implying both will likely occur closely. In terms of causes changes observed in train speed, the regression analysis further indicates the two independent variables Level crossing and Curves are not significant contributor to speed change of NRC trains. These two variables provide a marginal 9.5% explanation of the observed average change in speed of NRC train within the section. The study made several useful suggestions as means of optimizing the capacity of the line section.

Key Words: Train Speed Performance Narrow Gauge Lagos Nigeria.