1. The alignment survey of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Corridor was done by which agency?
a) JICA
b) SNCF
c) Indian Railways
d) RITES
Explanation: The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Corridor will be India’s first high speed rail line when completed. The project is scheduled to be completed by August, 2022. Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) did the alignment survey and also researched about the technology to be used in the project.
2. Which of the following software cannot be used to design a railway track alignment?
a) Open Rail Designer
b) Trimble Quantm
c) Ferrovia
d) Primavera
Explanation: Primavera software is used for project planning and management. It cannot be used for design of rail track alignment. The Delhi Metro Rail Cooperation used the Open Rail Designer software to modify and finalize the design of its Phase 4 expansion project. Using the software, the designing team completed the alignment design of railway line within 3 months.
3. Which of the following is not a basic requirement of ideal alignment?
a) Shortest possible route
b) Comfort of the passengers
c) Maximum operational expenses
d) Safety of the passengers
Explanation: An ideal alignment of a railway track should have the shortest possible route and should be economically feasible. It should have minimum operational expenses and low cost of maintenance. It should provide safety and comfort to the passengers and should be aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.
4. The maintenance cost of the rail line can be decreased by __________
a) Providing steep gradients
b) Avoiding steep gradients
c) Providing sharp turns
d) Avoiding mild gradients
Explanation: The maintenance cost of a new rail line can be reduced significantly if we avoid steep gradients and sharp turns. This is because the rails and rolling stock undergoes heavy wear and tear when it encounters a steep gradient or a sharp turn.
5. Cut and fill of earthwork is performed while constructing a new rail line on undulating surface. Which of the following condition should be maintained so that construction cost is minimized?
a) Quantity of cut = Quantity of fill
b) Construction cost is independent of quantity of cut and fill
c) Quantity of cut > Quantity of fill
d) Quantity of cut < Quantity of fill
Explanation: On an undulating surface, cut and fill of earthwork is performed to obtain a level surface. It is the process of taking earth (soil) from high areas to low areas. If the quantity of cut and quantity of fill are equal, then this will reduce the construction cost significantly.
6. What type of gauges are generally used for mountain railways?
a) Narrow gauges
b) Broad gauges
c) Metre gauges
d) Cape gauges
Explanation: Laying of wide gauges is extremely challenging in mountainous regions. This is due to the presence of very steep slopes and difficult excavation processes. Thus narrow gauges (762mm or 610mm) are used in mountain railways.
7. Which of the following alignments is least preferred in case of mountain railways?
a) Spiral
b) Zigzag
c) Switch-back
d) Straight
Explanation: Adaption of straight alignment for mountain regions is less preferred because it will lead to a very steep track. This will be difficult for travelling and construction. Thus for easy attainment of heights spiral, zigzag or switch-back alignments are followed.
8. Aesthetic consideration should also be given due importance while designing a rail alignment.
a) true
b) false
Explanation: True. A rail journey is usually of a long duration. It should be aesthetically pleasing to the passengers. This can be achieved by passing the rail alignment through natural surroundings and avoiding views of borrow pits.
9. The cost of construction of mountain railways can be reduced by adopting narrow gauges instead of wider gauges.?
a) true
b) false
Explanation: Adaption of narrow gauges lead to less excavation activities and less requirement of track material. This leads to reduction in total cost of construction.
10. The rail alignment should be such that the shortest route is chosen. However, there may be a deviation from this route due to practical difficulties.
a) true
b) false
Explanation: True. It is always advisable to choose the shortest route between two stations. This reduces the cost of construction and maintenance. However, providing the shortest route in practice may not be possible due to existence of important buildings, trees, mountains, etc. on that route. Also, the gradient needs to be maintained for safe journey of passengers.