Vehicle track integration
The contact between wheel and rail on British standard gauge mainline rail is about 250 mm2.
Understanding the relationship where this contact is made is central to being able to improve the condition, maintenance and life of the wheel/rail assets and is at the heart of the physics of the operating costs in energy and asset management.
Vehicle track integration
In Britain, the responsibility for managing the issues at this 250 mm2 interface is shared between different companies, those responsible for the rail (the infrastructure) and those responsible for the vehicles (the train owners and operators).
The key to bringing about improvements, cost reductions, and business performance enhancements to everyone is to establish consensus between all parties involved.
Challenges around vehicle/track interaction (VTI) include:
- helping rail operation to cost less by improving safety
- understanding adhesion, wheelsets and rail wear and damage
- improving understanding of the micro-interface eg rolling contact fatigue (RCF)
- developing understanding about the macro-interface through fundamental research and modelling
- appreciation of how VTI issues affect other systems like electrical conductivity of the contact patch affecting the integrity of signalling systems
- safety performance in the event of an accident.
Vehicle track integration
We can help you through:
- sharing cross-industry research and development specifically on VTI matters
- delivering standards – technical expertise on VTI matters.