| Title | Analytic Studies of the Relationship between Track Geometry Variations and Derailment Potential at Low Speeds |
|---|---|
| Record ID | 50033 |
| Personal Name Creator |
Blader, F. B. |
| Source | 134p. in various pagings |
| Corporate Creator | John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.) |
| Corporate Contributor |
United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research and Development |
| Publisher | United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration |
| Publication Date | 19830901 |
| Language | English |
| Abstract | This report describes analytical studies carried out to define the relationship between track parameters and safety from derailment. Problematic track scenarios are identified reflecting known accident data. Vehicle response is investigated in the 10-25 mph speed range, using an analytic model of a freight vehicle to identify critical values of body roll, and incipient wheel drop and rail climb, on track with weak lateral restraint. The track model includes gauge variation as well as alignment and cross-level in curves and the vehicle represents a 100-ton hopper car. Model results compare well with experimental results. Safe values for gauge and cross-level are identified for curved track containing lateral cusps at outer rail joints with and without cross-level cusps at staggered joints. Safe values of alignment are identified for sinusoidal alignment variation with constant gauge on tangent track and in curves up to 10 degrees. Recommendations are made on improvements to the computational efficiency and accuracy of the simulation and on further efforts required to identify completely safe values for track over the range of speeds, vehicle types and track conditions encountered in service. |
| Rosap ID | dot:11434 |
| Rosap URL | https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/11434 |
| TRT Terms | Alignment; Alternatives analysis; Cross leveling; Curved track; Derailments; Rail gauge; Geometry; Improvements; Mathematical models; Rail joints; Railroad tracks; Recommendations; Simulation |
| Classification | AGR - INFRASTRUCTURE - Railroads; NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - RAIL TRANSPORTATION; NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Safety; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Vehicle Design; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Rail Safety |
| Geographical Coverage |
United States |
| Report Number | FRA/ORD-83/16; DOT-TSC-FRA-83-3 |
| Resource type | Tech Report |
| URL | https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/50000/50000/50033/DOT-TSC-FRA-83-03.pdf |
| Format | |
| Database | NTL Digital Repository |