On the problems of lateral force effects of railway vehicles in S-curves

Abstract

This paper deals with the lateral force effects of conventional four-axle railway vehicles in conditions of S-shape curves, which are represented especially by switches negotiated in the diverging direction. With the use of a multi-body model of an electric locomotive, a sensitivity analysis of selected vehicle parameters on the maximum guiding force in the S-curve is performed. Subsequently, a definition of so-called equivalent guiding force is proposed. This simplified parameter can be used for the purposes of a quantification of the damaging effects of a vehicle in switches, e.g. in wear-dependent track access charge systems. Attention is also paid to the particularities of systems for active radial bogie or wheelset steering in conditions of tight S-curves and relevant requirements on these systems. The problem of a punctual on-board recognition of the S-curve is demonstrated using experimental data measured on an electric locomotive.