The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to advancing railway development through cutting-edge research. Five PolyU research projects exploring the application of innovative railway technologies have been supported by the MTR Academy’s 2024 MTR Research Funding Scheme (MRF 2024), with a total funding of approximately HK$6.12 million.
PolyU researchers from the Faculty of Construction and Environment, the Faculty of Engineering, and the School of Fashion and Textiles are among those awarded funding to facilitate future railway development. The awarded projects span various disciplines and promise significant outcomes and practical applications in railway systems, operational resilience, citizen welfare, and service efficiency.
Among the awarded projects, one initiative focuses on developing a comprehensive framework to enhance MTR resilience capacities during unforeseeable events. While for new knowledge generation on High-speed Railway system modelling and optimisation, another project provides managerial insights to support operations decision-making. In additional, one project offers sustainable and reliable energy storage solutions that can withstand the demands of modern railway transport operations.
Further efforts are directed towards overcoming the limitations of current air purification technologies, as one project developing a robust and scalable solution to improve air quality within the MTR system. Also, another project focuses on enhancing commuter comfort by developing innovative solutions to improve the thermal interface between metro stations and urban environments.
MRF aims to support exploratory and upstream research to create and build future operations and services in mass public transportation. The proposals are expected to put forward innovative solutions to address the challenges and define the future rail transport system performance, commuting experience, business models, community integration, social impacts, etc.
PolyU Projects Supported by MTR Research Funding Scheme 2024
| Faculty of Construction and Environment | ||
| Principal Investigator | Project Title | Project Abstract |
|
Prof. Jianlei NIU Chair Professor of Building Environment and Energy of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering |
Integrating Big Data Analysis and Dynamic Cooling Technologies for Thermal Comfort Optimization in Metro Stations and Urban Transit Interfaces |
This project assesses how urban thermal conditions en route to metro stations affect travellers' transportation choices by integrating spatial and temporal data from a city-scale mobile phone signalling dataset with urban thermal environment assessments to determine maximum walking durations under varying thermal scenarios. Subsequently, a pioneering, occupant-centric thermal environment optimisation framework will be established, accounting for dynamic thermal characteristics and diverse riding experiences. In parallel, a cutting-edge membrane-assisted radiant cooling panel will be engineered to enhance comfort in various areas, such as platforms, passageways, and open-air footbridges. An accompanying energy consumption model will support its implementation. |
|
Prof. Anthony CHEN Associate Head (Teaching) and Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering |
A Lifecycle-based Resilience Analysis Framework for MTR System under Unforeseeable Disruptive Events |
This proposal aims to develop a comprehensive framework for the resilience-oriented analysis and decision-making of MTR throughout lifecycles of unforeseeable disruptive events such as typhoons, flooding, and signalling failures. The multidimensional lifecycle-based resilience measurements include pre-disruption absorptive capacity, during-disruption adaptive capacity, and post-disruption restorative capacity. Service operations adjustments, emergency action implementations, and passenger behavioural reactions will also be considered for strategic planning guidance. Optimization- based models will be developed to assess MTR vulnerability and recoverability under different disruption scenarios, as well as identify critical infrastructures and services for prioritised maintenance. |
| Faculty of Engineering | ||
| Principal Investigator | Project Title | Project Abstract |
|
Dr Wei LIU Associate Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering |
Joint Optimization of Train Scheduling, Flexible Train Composition, and Seat Allocation with Extra-long Trains for High-speed Railway Corridors |
This project will develop a systematic approach that jointly optimises the three aspects of train scheduling, flexible train composition, and seat allocation for extra-long High-speed Railway (HSR) exceeding platform lengths, ensuring efficient and safe operation. By leveraging theoretical models and solution algorithms, the integrated consideration will allow coordinating those interdependent decisions to accommodate better spatiotemporally demand variations and uncertainties, including guaranteeing carriages serving a given origin-destination (OD) pair can dock at corresponding platforms to avoid passengers moving farther away to board/alight within a short train dwell time. |
|
Dr Xiao ZHANG Assistant Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering |
Integrated Electrochemical H2O2 Production Platform for On-Site Air Purification in Hong Kong's MTR |
This project aims to develop an electrochemical platform for on-site air purification to be deployed and integrated with the MTR system, offering a sustainable and efficient solution to the challenges of maintaining clean air in public transit environments. This electrochemical platform will produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for effective disinfection and produce oxygen (O2) simultaneously for enhanced air quality. The H2O2 production rate, energy efficiency, and operational stability will be evaluated, providing an accurate assessment of the system's pollutant reduction capabilities to ensure the high standards required for application. |
| School of Fashion and Textiles | ||
| Principal Investigator | Project Title | Project Abstract |
|
Dr Jimin FU Research Assistant Professor of School of Fashion and Textiles |
Enhancing Rail Resilience with Cellulosic Zinc-Ion Batteries: A Sustainable Energy Storage Solution for Future Railway Systems |
This research initiative targets the development of cellulosic zinc-ion batteries as a sustainable energy storage solution for railway systems. By leveraging the inherent properties of cellulosic materials, specifically carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), this project aims to create lightweight, flexible three-dimensional nanofiber electrodes that are dendrite-free and compatible with aqueous zinc-ion full batteries. The research approach involves a molecular-level functionalization or modification of cellulosic materials to enhance their electrochemical performance and target to enable the introduction of features such as thermal responsiveness and ion selectivity, crucial for railway applications. |
