Analyses of Rail Vehicle Dynamics in Support of Development of the Wheel Rail Dynamics Research Facility: Interim Report

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Centerhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15274931973PDFTech ReportWeinstock, Herbert.United States. Department of Transportation. Transportation Systems CenterUnited States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation Administration. Office of Research Development and DemonstrationsUnited States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationUnited StatesComputer programsDynamic loadsDynamicsEquations of motionMathematical modelsTrain track dynamicsRolling contactCar wheels (Railroads)Suspension systemsKinematicsTest facilitiesRail (Railroads)Dynamic responseFORTRANWheelsMA-06-0025-73;DOT-TSC-UMTA-72-10The development of experimental facilities for rail vehicle testing at the DOT High Speed Ground Test Center is being complemented by analytical studies. The purpose of this effort has been to gain insight into the dynamics of rail vehicles to guide the equipment development and to establish an analytic framework for the design and interpretation of tests to be conducted at the facility. The mechanics of rail vehicle lateral guidance are reviewed on the basis of linearized models. Computer programs are developed for predicting stability and general lateral response characteristics. Computer programs for predicting vertical and pitch vehicle response to track irregularities are included.138