Włodzimierz Choromański

Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) Computer Network Simulation and Analysis of Flow Capacity

Transportation problems of large urban conurbations inspire search for new transportation systems that meet high environmental standards, are relatively cheap and are user friendly. The latter element also includes the needs of disabled and elderly people. This article concerns a new transportation system - Personal Rapid Transit (PRT). In this article, the attention is focused on the analysis of the efficiency of the PRT transport network. The simulator of vehicle movement in PRT network as well as algorithms for traffic management and control are presented. The proposal of its physical implementation is also included.

OPTIMIZATION OF WHEEL AND RAIL PROFILES FOR VARIOUS CONDITIONS OF VEHICLE MOTION

SUMMARY The new method of rail and wheel profiles optimization is being presented in the paper. The method is based on window function that is defined by use of Chebyshevs series. It has been applied to optimization of 2-axle railway vehicle-track system. Mathematical model of the system takes account of nonlinear theory of rail-wheel contact (including 2-point contact). Different exploitation cases (straight track, circular arc) as well as different quality coefficients have been considered.

Impact Electric Component of the Electromagnetic Field on Electronic Security and Steering Systems in Personal Rapid Transit

Transport safety systems and electronic security system Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) steering systems constitute a spatially formed set of elements that operate together in order to achieve the assumed level of security at a railway station or during the performance of transportation operations. Occurring intended or unintended electromagnetic interferences in the process of exploitation electronic systems may cause the occurrence of catastrophic damages or can be the reason of a reduction of the work quality of these systems. Small frequency range electromagnetic interference (up to 100 kHz) that occurs in an extensive “railway” area should be considered separately, i.e. the electric and magnetic components of this field should be distinguished. Because of measurements and legal regulations concerning the impact of this interference on elements, devices and electronic systems. Any disruption of the primary functions of the steering system can be the cause of the occurrence of human life and health hazards. The present article discusses the impact of electromagnetic interference: the electric component of the field on the process of the operation of the PRT steering and security system.

ANALYSIS OF PARAMETRIC SENSITIVITY OF THE MATHEMATICAL MODELS THAT DECRIBE LATERAL DYNAMICS OF A RAILWAY VEHICLE

SUMMARY In the present paper the investigation on parametric sensitivity of the mathematical model has been considered. The model describes lateral dynamics of a railway vehicle for example the coal wagon.

Personal rapid transit vehicle with polyurethane wheels – modelling and simulation issues

The article focuses special attention to the dynamic response of wheels – track interaction in Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) vehicle’s application. The main issue is the wheels/ track contact model for polyurethane treaded wheels. The contact model has been defined using the available UA-Tire analytical model (University of Arizona Tire Model) initially worked out in the paper [1], The model is available in ADAMS simulation environment. To obtain the necessary parameters a simulation model in FEM environment as well as the polyurethane treaded wheels have been constructed. The model has undergone quasistatic load tests in order to find indispensable characteristics. The paper includes the description of simulation model of the PRT vehicle and presents selected outcomes of kinematic and dynamic analyses.

Optimization of Lever-Driven Wheelchairs

In order to improve the efficiency of hand wheelchair propulsion, engineers proposed various active wheelchair concepts – one of them is a lever-driven wheelchair. Yet although several lever-driven wheelchair designs were already carried out, there has been no significant improvement in popularity of this propelling system solution. A possible reason for the actual situation is immaturity of proposed designs. Some authors believe, that if sufficiently developed, lever-driven wheelchairs can enhance handicapped people movement capabilities.

Simulation research of driveability of the ECO electric car

The paper presents simulation research results of electric car motion processes with special functionality and construction facilitating its use by the disabled. The model of the structure: motor car – human being – environment has been used in the research. Special attention has been paid to the issue of the, so called, driveability of the car driven by a driver with a lower limb disability who is performing this activity from the wheelchair and not the driver seat. The driveability of the car has been assessed based on the technical stability analyses for the conditions of the ”moose test” manoeuvre. The research results have been used in the process of virtual pre-prototyping finalized with the construction of a non-commercial pre-prototype of a car created within the framework of ECO Mobility project. Simulation model of a motor car mechanical systems has been constructed in MBS technology. For description of the tyred wheel, TNO Delft Tyre model has been used. In the model of a control system, the description of programmable systems of the rear wheel drive electronic differential has been included. The model of a driver and the conditions for conducting the “moose test” manoeuvre have been presented.

Mechatronic simulator of lever driven wheelchairs

Development of the lever-driven wheelchairs by different authors resulted in creating various lever-human work conditions in which disabled people propel their wheelchairs. This fact implies varying efficiency of human’s work during lever wheelchair propulsion. In order to assess which of the world-wide proposed lever propulsion systems is the most efficient from the humans’ work point of view a proper simulator was designed. Here described test stand offers the possibility to perform various ergonomic tests, it can also become a training station for the lever wheelchair users. Since the main differences in world known lever propelling system designs concern the lever length and levers axis of rotation position on the wheelchair, the wide regulation of these two parameters, was a decisive factor in designing the mechatronic simulator.

Adaptive Mechatronic Suspension of Railway Vehicles: Focus on Lateral Dynamics

The subject of research in this work are models of railway bogies with so-called mechatronic suspension. The author presents concepts of the railway bogies construction in which the suspension parameters are controlled electronically by a computer control unit. The main purpose of the control is to stabilise the motion of the railway vehicle on the straight track and to ensure good guiding features on curved track. In the case of the classic solution for railway bogies a simultaneous fulfilment of both requirements imposes a contradictory requirement on the suspension parameters. It seems that a mechatronic suspension which has adaptively changeable parameters can overcome these difficulties. The authors propose fuzzy controllers to the synthesis of the control unit.Copyright