Asymptotic behavior of initially "large and smooth" pulses is investigated at two typical stages of their evolution governed by the defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation. At first, wave breaking phenomenon is studied in the limit of small dispersion. A solution of the Whitham modulational equations is found for the case of dissipationless shock wave arising after the wave breaking point. Th...

Railroad terminal performance directly affects network capacity and an important element of terminal efficiency is railcar inspection and repair. New technologies to automate railcar inspections can improve railroad terminal efficiency by reducing inspection times and improving operations. This research applies Lean Manufacturing methods to the railcar maintenance process and investigates poten...

We develop an aerodynamic loading assignment model for intermodal freight trains based on an integer-programming framework to help terminal managers make up more fuel-efficient trains. This is the first use of optimization modeling to address the aerodynamics and energy efficiency of railroad intermodal trains. Several recommendations regarding railway equipment use, operations, and policy are ...