
Szabolcs FischerSzéchenyi István University · Department of Transport Infrastructure and Water Resources Engineering
Szabolcs Fischer
PhD in Civil Engineering, MSc in Civil Engineering, Dr. habil., Professional Engineeer Certified in Economics
Full professor and researcher at SIU, Győr
PhD supervisor at SIU MMTDI, Győr
About
226
Publications
168,102
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Introduction
Sz. FISCHER (PhD, Dr. habil.) is a Full Professor at Széchenyi István University. He works at the Department of Transport Infrastructure and Water Resources Engineering. His research topic is related to railway engineering (design, construction, maintenance).
Additional affiliations
September 2016 - present
September 2015 - March 2016
Shop Assistant Ltd.
Position
- Researcher
September 2013 - December 2014
Élő Mini-Világ Alapítvány
Position
- Researcher
Description
- R&D of ARON RCS (http://www.elominivilag.hu/work/aron-rcs/)
Education
September 2015 - June 2016
Széchenyi István University
Field of study
- Economics
September 2008 - August 2012
September 2002 - January 2008
Publications
Publications (226)
This paper summarizes the results of a R&D work in 2014. Fivedifferent types of andesite railway ballast material with differentLARB (%) (Los Angeles abrasion) as well as MDERB (%)(Micro-Deval abrasion) values were investigated in laboratorywith pulsating test which models the real condition muchbetter (the used parameters were determined accordanc...
This article summarizes the research results related to our own conducted extensive laboratory tests of polymer composite and steel fishplated glued insulated rail joints (GIRJs), namely axial tensile tests as well as vertical static and dynamic tests. The investigation dealt with the examination of GIRJs assembled with steel and special glass-fibe...
The current paper deals with the numerical investigation of a unique designed pre-stressed rein-forced concrete railway sleeper for the design speed of 300 km/h, as well as an axle load of 180 kN. The authors applied different methodologies in their research: traditional hand-made calculations and two types of finite element software. The latter we...
The paper investigates the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of more rail joints executed by thermite rail welding (TW). The examined rail profile was 54E1 (UIC54). The rail steel categories were different: R260 and R400HT. The welding portions of the TWs fitted R350HT and R260 rail categories with normal welding gaps. The rail pieces were brand new, i.e.,...
The paper deals with the detection process of energy loss in electric railway hauling vehicles. The importance of efficient energy use in railways and cost-effective rail transport tendency toward regenerative braking energy are considered. In addition, the current situation and improvement opportunities to achieve efficient energy use are examined...
The daily work of railway engineers and managers consists of making a series of decisions, the quality of which is crucial to the efficiency and resiliency of the rail system. They face many challenges in their decision-making, including large and complex infrastructure asset networks; limited resources, time and information; a range of outcomes; c...
In the last decade, hardened fine-grained plate components have been used in turnouts and crossings on Western European urban rail networks, as well as in Hungary, in place of traditional rail or Hadfield steel components. The first crossing was built in Hungary in 2016. These components have many advantages, such as the ease with which they can be...
The rock physics properties of the crushed railway ballast include resistance against breakage and wear. The qualification of such materials and their compliance with requirements is mainly considered by two standard tests: The Los Angeles abrasion and Micro-Deval wear resistance tests. These tests are indispensable for the legally mandatory qualif...
In Hungarian design practice, the Zimmermann-Eisenmann quasi-static design method is employed to dimension track structures with embedded rails. This method determines the mean values of deformations and stresses using an infinitely long elastically embedded beam as the static frame. After establishing these mean values, the effects of track condit...
The railway system plays a crucial role in a nation's economy and society, extending beyond mere transportation. In earthquake-prone regions like Razavi Khorasan in Iran, railway infrastructure is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, which can severely disrupt train operations. Ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure, including stations,...
This study investigates the application of Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats (GCCMs), specifically Concrete Canvas (CC), to reinforce railway substructures. Combining waterproofing, durability, and ease of installation, CC addresses challenges in ballasted railway tracks, such as local failures, moisture, and dynamic forces. The research fil...
This study addresses the emerging need for efficient and cost-effective solutions in low-volume production by exploring the mechanical performance and industrial feasibility of cutting tools that are fabricated using stereolithography apparatus (SLA) technology. SLA’s high-resolution capabilities make it suitable for creating precise cutting dies,...
This study evaluates the potential of Concrete Canvas (CC), a geosynthetic cementitious composite mat (GCCM), in improving railway substructure performance under static and dynamic loads. While CC is widely used for drainage and slope protection, its behavior under railway-specific dynamic forces remains insufficiently studied. Addressing this gap,...
Within the scope of the work, the possible use of fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology in executing rapid prototypes of cutting tools for aluminum sheets was systematically studied. Relevant investigations have thus far mainly concentrated on tools for the 3D printing of bent and deep-drawn pieces, yet the implementation of FDM tools in cutti...
The increasing urgency for sustainable transportation solutions necessitates a thorough examination of energy efficiency within railway systems. This study investigates the energy performance of Siemens Ventus (i.e., Siemens Desiro ML type) electric multiple units on Austria's Raaberbahn network, focusing on route-specific energy consumption and th...
Digitalization and the application of modern Industry 4.0 solutions are becoming increasingly important to remain competitive as product ranges expand and global supply chains grow. This paper presents a new Digital Twin framework to achieve robustness in manufacturing process optimization and enhance the efficiency of decision support. Most digita...
This study investigates the settlement behavior of ballasted railway tracks under dynamic loading, providing a comprehensive evaluation of track deterioration models using extensive field data. Leveraging regression analysis, the research examines logarithmic and exponential settlement trends based on operational conditions and highlights key influ...
One of the most common failure types that rapidly deteriorates track geometry is sleeper voids or unsupported sleepers. Ballast pulverization, or so-called "white spots", is a sign that indicates the presence of the high sleeper voids in the track. However, the objective estimation of the size and form of voids is possible by time-and cost-consumin...
Integrating renewable energy sources into railway systems presents a promising solution to mitigate rising CO2 emissions, growing energy demands, and environmental degradation. This paper reviews the potential of incorporating renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, bioenergy, and kinetic energy recovery into railway infrastructure. By e...
The growing demand for sustainable materials has driven research into 3D printing technologies, particularly those focused on environmentally friendly filaments such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) and its composites. This study explores the mechanical performance and applications of four distinct PLA-based materials: conventional PLA, PLA Advanced PRO, G...
The rapid expansion of Hungary’s infrastructure projects, especially in railway construction, has significantly increased the demand for crushed stone. Both national and EU-funded initiatives have strained supply chains, resulting in logistical challenges and material shortages. With limited domestic production capacity, efficient resource manageme...
This article presents the fundamentals of an analytical method for determining the stress–strain state of a railway subgrade reinforced with geosynthetic material. The reinforcement described is a combined system where the geosynthetic material forms an open shell containing a layer of compacted crushed stone. The overall stress–strain state is pro...
The challenge of providing students with practical, hands-on experience in realistic industrial environments is increasingly prevalent in modern technical education. The concept of a Learning Factory addresses this issue by facilitating skill acquisition through immersive, practice-oriented training that integrates advanced digital technologies. An...
Three-dimensional printing has rapidly gained traction in the automotive industry, offering significant benefits in terms of design flexibility, production speed, and cost efficiency. However, as the use of 3D printing grows, there is a rising focus on incorporating sustainable materials to minimize the environmental footprint of automotive compone...
This study investigates the application of honeycomb-patterned PLA as a reinforcement in concrete structures. The research focused on identifying the optimal 3D printing layout for this reinforcement and examining how the orientation of 3D-printed PLA affects the mechanical properties of the concrete. The study compares the performance of concrete...
In the case of embedded rail structures, the rails are fixed with a flexible embedding material that runs through a specially designed steel or reinforced concrete channel. The majority of the rail cross-section is embedded in these channels, eliminating the possibility of horizontal buckling as a failure mode. This paper investigates vertical stab...
This paper investigates the energy efficiency of electric rail vehicles, focusing on factors that promote more sustainable railway systems. Using real-time data from Siemens Ventus trains operating between Vienna-Deutschkreuz and Vienna-Bratislava, the study analyzes how regenerative braking, infrastructure quality, and driver behavior affect energ...
This paper investigates the energy efficiency of electric rail vehicles, focusing on factors that promote more sustainable railway systems. Using real-time data from Siemens Ventus trains operating between Vienna-Deutschkreuz and Vienna-Bratislava, the study analyzes how regenerative braking, infrastructure quality, and driver behavior affect energ...
This research introduces a new approach for detecting mobile phone use by drivers, exploiting the capabilities of Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks (KAN) to improve road safety and comply with regulations prohibiting phone use while driving. To address the lack of available data for this specific task, a unique dataset was constructed consisting of images...
While the effect of ballast degradation on lateral resistance is noteworthy, limited research has delved into the specific aspect of ballast breakage in this context. This study is dedicated to assessing the influence of breakage on sleeper lateral resistance. For simplicity, it is assumed that ballast breakage has already occurred. Accordingly, ni...
Given their importance for the national economy, one of the biggest challenges today is to use the resources available for tramways to develop and maintain these infrastructures as efficiently as possible. In Budapest, the BKV Ltd. is responsible for the operation and maintenance of more than 300 kilometers of urban railway lines. There are seven d...
This paper introduces and describes a method for extracting, processing, and analyzing large amounts of track geometrical data. It allows for a more accurate description of the orbital deterioration correlations than currently applied procedures, and it seems to be more valuable and efficient in practice. The initial data were the track geometry me...
In engineering, DIC is a widely used measurement technique. Its major advantage is that it provides real-time results (displacements, accelerations, stresses, strains, deformations) of the surface under examination relatively quickly and without contact. However, its application in medicine, biomechanics, and the field of criminalistics is novel. T...
The geographical location of Ukraine facilitates its integration into the transportation network connecting European countries. Various options exist for transitioning from the gauge of 1 520 mm to the European standard gauge of 1 435 mm. This paper aims to analyze the changes in the stress-strain state of railway track elements during the reconstr...
This research investigates the application of plastic-fiber reinforcement in pre-tensioned reinforced concrete railway sleepers, conducting an in-depth examination in both experimental and computational aspects. Utilizing 3-point bending tests and the GOM ARAMIS system for Digital Image Correlation, the study meticulously evaluates the structural r...
The cross-level and twist irregularities are the most dangerous irregularity types that could cause wheel unloading with the risk of derailments and additional maintenance expenses. However, the mechanism of the irregularities initiation and development is unclear. The motivation of the present study was the previous experimental studies on the app...
This study rigorously investigates the interdependencies among a suite of crushed stone aggregate characteristics to enhance material selection for infrastructure projects. Utilizing data from Colas Északkő Ltd. (andesite quarries), the authors explore the relationships between mechanical and geometrical properties, particularly focusing on the int...
The high influence of impact and vibration on the behavior of crushed stone and ballast materials has been known for a long time. The zones with unsupported sleepers, which are always present in transition zones, crossings, welds, etc., are typically characterized by impact interaction, ballast full unloading, and additional preloading. However, no...
Monitoring bus driver behavior and posture in urban public transport's dynamic and unpredictable environment requires robust real-time analytics systems. Traditional camera-based systems that use computer vision techniques for facial recognition are foundational. However, they often struggle with real-world challenges such as sudden driver movement...
The current task today is the development of theoretical and methodological approaches, as well as practical recommendations for determining the technical feasibility of creating high-speed railway (HSR) lines in the European context. The development of railways in individual countries, followed by the creation of a pan-European high-speed railway...
Continuous monitoring with advanced equipment and innovative scientific techniques is essential for timely and perfect maintenance. The interaction and dynamic force between wheel and rail is one of the most widely monitored issues. In this paper's case study of ballasted railway tracks in Iran, a set consisting of two separate strain gauge arrays...
Purpose. Justification of the feasibility of using new types of drainage materials, such as Concrete Canvas (CC), under the upper structure of the railway permanent way.
Methodology. The tasks were solved by a complex research method, including analysis and generalization of literary and patent sources, analytical, experimental studies, using compu...
The physical classification of crushed stone and gravel used in railway construction is based on their strength and endurance and is performed by a laboratory test method using a rotating drum or a mortar method. The values of fracture resistance calculated using the Los Angeles method and abrasion calculated using the Micro-Deval method show a cor...
The growing number of electric vehicles and devices drives the demand for lithium-ion batteries. The purpose of the batteries used in electric vehicles and applications is primarily to preserve the cells and extend their lifetime, but they will wear out over time, even under ideal conditions. Most battery system failures are caused by a few cells,...
This paper examines the sustainability of railways. A comprehensive international literature review was conducted on railway vehicles, traction, and railway permanent way. The main goal was to find the factors and parameters that most affect railway sustainability. CO2 emissions from transportation, mining, raw material production, manufacturing, u...
The burgeoning importance of digitalization and cyber-physical manufacturing systems in the industrial sector is undeniable, yet discussions around viable solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises remain scant. These enterprises often face constraints in replacing extant machinery or implementing extensive IT upgrades, despite the availabili...
In Hungary, quarries that produce stone products for wearing courses of asphalt pavements also produce a significant amount of 0/4, 0/8 and 4/8 mm fractions. Because of Hungary’s pavement design and asphalt production practices, these fractions do not have a suitable market and can thus be sold on alternative markets. Purpose. To demonstrate the fe...
The methodologies used to assess the inner shear resistance of granular layers from minerals measured in the laboratory with and without geosynthetic reinforcing layers are described in this paper. For the measurements, a multi-level shear box is applied without considering vertical loads on the top layer. In the literature and engineering practice...
In Hungary, quarries that produce stone products for wearing courses of asphalt pavements also produce a significant amount of 0/4, 0/8 and 4/8 mm fractions. Because of Hungary's pavement design and asphalt production practices, these fractions do not have a suitable market and can thus be sold on alternative markets. Purpose. To demonstrate the fe...
The current study aims to define a welding technology that allows for the repair of normal and heat-treated rails in paved tracks with partial dismantling and partial preheating in such a way that the resulting layer is not susceptible to cracking and can be done with minimal dismantling, even during night shifts or while traffic is present. High-e...
Today's manufacturing systems offer more products to meet specific needs. Complex production systems in rapidly changing environments result from product variation, shorter product life cycles, and supply chain expansion. A cyber-physical production system (CPPS) can use manufacturing and logistics data to plan, monitor, and control production. Dis...
Methods of increasing the bearing capacity of corrugated metal structures of transport constructions using transversal stiffening ribs in the form of additional corrugation and stiffeners are given. Based on the theory of elasticity, a mathematical model for estimating the stress-strain state of transport constructions made of corrugated metal stru...
Bus driver distraction and cognitive load lead to higher accident risk. Driver distraction sources and complex physical and psychological effects must be recognized and analyzed in real-world driving conditions to reduce risk and enhance overall road safety. The implementation of a camera-based system utilizing computer vision for face recognition...
In the 21st century, one of the key issues is to develop and maintain our infrastructure facilities most efficiently with the available resources. Tramways are of significant national economic importance and represent a significant national asset. There are currently seven different types of superstructure systems in Hungary, based on the national...
On behalf of MÁV Hungarian State Railways Ltd., the authors carried out a research and devel-opment (R&D) project on behalf of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, De-partment of Highway and Railway Engineering on the subject of "Research and investigation of the causes of gauge narrowing by finite-element modeling in running track...
The article solves the problem of theoretically determining the deformable characteristics of railway ballast, considering its condition through mathematical modeling. Different tasks require mathe-matical models with different levels of detail of certain elements. After a certain limit, excessive detailing only worsens the quality of the model. Th...
Lithium-ion battery technology in the modern automotive industry utilizes highly temperature-sensitive batteries. Here, air cooling strategies will be the most applicable for the chosen example based on strategies for temperature control. Simulations have been utilized to evaluate the different thermal management strategies. A battery model was dev...
Purpose. Prove that the GCCM (geosynthetic cementitious composite mat) – type Concrete Canvas (CC) – is an adequate supplementary layer on the top of the subgrade. Its drainage function is known, and this article tries to prove the reinforcement possibility. This layer is relatively thin; nevertheless, it can behave like the geogrids. It is the mai...