Passenger Railway Systems Upgrading Handbook

This handbook is dedicated to the option consisting on upgrading existing lines. This concept has existed since the origin of railways, in 19th Century. It must be noted that most of railway lines existing in the world are being operated at higher speeds and provide more capacity than the values for which they were initially designed.
This handbook has been conceived as a tool for any agent (Governments Agencies, Infrastructure Managers, Operators, Statutory Bodies, etc.) that may consider the upgrading of existing railway system as a suitable alternative either to resolve mobility problems or to improve its own performance.
This handbook has been developed focusing on the specific issues of a railway system upgrading in order to provide a valuable overview of all aspects to be taken into account.
UIC High Speed Department launched this Handbook to provide the guidelines for any member-owner who would like to upgrade their conventional railway system.