Algorithm to Estimate the Lateral Position of Wheel-Rail Contact and Corresponding Rail Profile Radius
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems
Volume 147, Issue 3
Abstract
This article develops and validates an algorithm to estimate the lateral position of wheel-rail contact and the corresponding rail profile radius. The lateral contact position and contact radius are two novel rail profile performance measures that enable more refined characterization of the rail profile and its influence on rail wear and vehicle dynamics. Leveraging recent advancements in rail profile monitoring techniques, the algorithm contributes to rail maintenance research and practice by developing new measures of performance based solely on commonly available rail profile data. The algorithm developed in this article is an automated process that estimates the lateral position of wheel-rail contact and the corresponding rail profile radius along a rail segment. It uses measured rail profile data as an input and applies rigid contact theory to model contact between a linear wheel profile and the rail profile. The lateral contact position and contact radius are calculated using computer programming that provides graphical and numerical results on a profile-by-profile basis as well as summary statistics for each rail segment. This methodology produces expected results when subjected to validation tests. The validation process analyzes the rationality of algorithmic output against a series of expected results using rail profile data from selected tangent segments of a closed-loop captive-fleet North American rail transit property. The algorithm output does not significantly deviate from any of the expected results, and as such, the algorithm is considered validated.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are proprietary or confidential in nature and may only be provided with consent from all relevant parties. These include
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algorithm codes, and
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rail profile data.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial contributions of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Advanced Rail Management (Canada) Inc.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems
Volume 147 • Issue 3 • March 2021
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 5, 2020
Accepted: Oct 20, 2020
Published online: Dec 31, 2020
Published in print: Mar 1, 2021
Discussion open until: May 31, 2021
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