Research of the dynamic effects arising for long trains composed of bi-modal wagons
Overview
Background & policy context:
“Bimodal” trains are a part of the well known combined, rail-road transportation system. The advantage of the bimodal idea is that this method of transportation completely eliminates vertical movements of loading units during terminal operations. Loading units (semi-trailers in the road mode) form the train after being attached through adapters to freight bogies. In the structure of the train there are front, rear and intermediate bogies equipped with single and double adapters.
The Polish prototype of the bimodal train was presented for the first time in Poznan, during the International Fair in 1994. The lack of information concerning safety of braking of bimodal trains longer than three wagons was the main motivation for modelling and investigation of long bimodal trains.
Objectives:
So far, the dynamic behaviour of braking bimodal train running on curved track and equipped with adapters, has not been investigated.
Results obtained from simulations in the ADAMS/RAIL package provide with reliable information concerning safety of a long bimodal train (19 coupled car bodies utilising coupling devices). According to this information we can say that two of the main criterions for the judgement of bimodal freight cars with respect to derailment (Nadal and Weinstock) were performed.
Methodology:
The simulations were performed using AdamsRail software, specially designed for simulation of general multibody systems. AdamsRail enables modelling the system, then automatically generates the equations of motion and prepares the numerical results to analyses and visualisation.
Share this page