Mitchell McClanachan

Wagon instability in long trains

Lateral force components and impacts from couplers can adversely affect wagon stability. These issues are significant in longer and heavier trains increasing the risk of wagon rollover, wheel climb, wagon body pitch, bogie pitch and wagon lift-off. Modelling of coupler angles has been added to normal longitudinal train simulation to allow comprehensive study of lateral components of coupler forces. Lateral coupler forces are then combined with centripetal inertia calculations to determine quasi-static lateral forces, quasi-static vertical forces and quasi-static bogie lateral to vertical ratio, allowing the study of stringlining, buckling and wagon rollover risks. The approach taken allows for different rolling stock lengths, overhang and coupling lengths, and allows the study of angles occurring in transitions. Wagon body and bogie pitch are also studied with enhancements added to previous modelling to allow the study of wagon lift-off.

Design and Simulation of Rail Vehicles

The fields of rail vehicle design, maintenance, and modification, as well as performance issues related to these types of vehicles, are examined in this text. Rail vehicle design issues and dynamic responses are analyzed, design and features of rail vehicles are described, and methods that address the operational conditions of this complex system are introduced. Both non-powered and powered rail vehicles are a focus - passenger and freight rolling stock, locomotives, and self-powered vehicles used for public transportation. Problems involved in designing and modeling all types of rail vehicles are introduced. Applications of train operations, vehicle dynamics, and track infrastructure maintenance are explored. Fundamentals of locomotive design, longitudinal train dynamics, and multibody dynamics are introduced, and co-simulation techniques are discussed. Recent advances in rail vehicle design are highlighted, and applicable standards and acceptance tests from around the world are contained.

The Calculation of Wheel Impact Force Due to the Interaction between Vehicle and a Turnout

It is known that railway turnouts demand more maintenance than other parts of the railway track network because of large impact loads generated by the variation of wheel-rail contact conditions along the turnout and through the crossing. A method using VAMPIRE® modelling to determine the wheel impact forces due to passing turnout has been developed and presented in this article. The simulation shows that both turnout curve and crossing have significant effect on the wheel impact forces; the vertical impact forces from the turnout case are not significantly different from the wheels travelling straight through.

Current train control optimization methods with a view for application in heavy haul railways

Railway operators are continually increasing the length and weight of heavy haul trains to achieve reduced operating costs and increase network capacity. With longer and heavier trains, it becomes increasingly difficult for human operators to control the train optimally. The three main objectives of train control are minimizing journey time, minimizing energy usage, and minimizing in-train dynamics. This article reviews published train control optimization methods used in passenger, freight, and long heavy haul trains with a view of determining which methods would be best applied to the optimization of heavy haul train control.

Keeping track workers safe: a socio-technical analysis of emerging systems and technology

Track maintenance work is one of the most hazardous jobs in the rail industry. Track workers are in danger of being fatally injured by rail traffic either on the track they are working on or on adjacent tracks. The rail industry has developed many safe working procedures and protection systems to minimise the risk. The Australian rail industry is now trialling new technology that automatically warns the track workers of approaching trains. These technologies may be added to or ultimately replace the current safe working procedures. As there are different products and technologies available for track worker protection it is not clear which technology is best for the Australian rail environment. The CRC for Rail Innovation project ‘R3.120-Track Worker Protection Technology’ aims to identify and compare systems that improve protection for track workers. Commercially available systems use different types of technologies and have different safety integrity levels. The effectiveness of a safety system is not only dependent on the technology but also the track workers who operate and are protected by the system. Short-term trials may not highlight all issues across the systems’ life cycle so to analyse these socio-technical systems in a relatively short time period a specifically adapted hazard and operability (HAZOP) study is being undertaken. The HAZOP study evaluates both the technical and human factor aspects of the system utilising an expert team. Initially one of the commercially available track worker protection systems was selected as the base for the HAZOP and other track worker protection systems will be analysed based on the issues identified with the initial system. This paper discusses the ‘Track Worker Protection Technology’ project, the track worker protection technology that is available and the adapted HAZOP used to analyse a track worker safety system as a socio-technical system.