by Jeff Tuzik Vehicle stability is of paramount concern in the rail transit environment. It affects safety, ride quality, and wear and damage on the track, wheels, trucks, and suspension. In turn, stability is largely defined by the interplay of track characteristics, wheel and rail profiles, and truck and suspension …
By Jeff Tuzik This article was originally published in Mass Transit (June 2024) in conjunction with the annual Wheel/Rail Interaction Rail Transit conference. In part 1 of this article, a group of experts, including a transit operator, three vehicle manufacturers, and a noise and vibration consultant, examined how to mitigate wheel/rail-generated noise at the …
The article discusses the challenges of vibration and noise in rail transit operations, emphasizing the importance of vehicle design and technology in mitigating these issues. Key design factors, such as unsprung mass and suspension characteristics, significantly impact performance. Strategies from experts and case studies highlight the complexities of optimizing vehicles for noise and vibration control.
Jonathan Sunde from Strato, Inc. emphasized at the Wheel Rail Seminars that wheel/rail dynamics are critically influenced by car and coupler designs. As curves become sharper, swingout distances increase, affecting clearance and coupling performance. The AAR standards guide design choices to minimize risks of buff and draft failures, ensuring safe operations in diverse freight conditions.
George Fowler, a veteran investigator, analyzed the 2016 Grey derailment involving a Canadian National train, highlighting that derailments often stem from combined vehicle and track factors. His investigation revealed issues like track geometry, maintenance, and vehicle dynamics, emphasizing the importance of thorough evaluations to prevent such incidents in the future.
Cory Hogan, Director of Vehicle Dynamics at Ensco Rail, highlights the use of digital twins in predicting rail system issues before they occur. Ensco employs advanced simulations and data collection to model vehicle dynamics, enhance safety, and streamline railroad operations, aiming to develop increasingly sophisticated and accurate digital twins for rail networks.
The article discusses the significance of wheel/rail interaction in railroading, emphasizing the importance of both wheels and tracks. Advances in monitoring technologies, such as continuous wheel condition monitoring and load detectors, enhance safety and maintenance. It highlights challenges and improvements in measuring forces effectively, contributing to efficient railroad operations.
by Jeff Tuzik In order to solve a problem, you have to be able to measure it. And while there are generally no new problems in railroading, tools and techniques of measurement continue to evolve. Over the years, engineers at the Union Pacific Railroad have noticed a deficit in traditional …
by Jeff Tuzik Areas of track that are subject to high impacts and dynamic loadings, such as turnouts, diamond crossings and other special trackwork, bridges and bridge approaches, high-degree curves, and highway/rail grade crossings are challenging to manage. Maintenance requires attention, resources, and significant ongoing investment. With more than 30,000 …