Aerodynamic effects of high-speed passenger trains on other trains.

Details

• Creators:
  Holmes, Samuel ; Schroeder, Martin P.
• Corporate Creators:
  Applied Research Associates, Inc.
• Corporate Contributors:
  John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • High speed rail
  • Aerodynamic force
  • Commuter cars
  • Double deck commuter cars
  • Derailments
  • Crash risk forecasting
  • Simulation
  • Container cars
  • Rolling
  • Pitch (Dynamics)
  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  DOT/FRA/ORD-01/12 ; DOT-VNTSC-FRA-01-05
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research and Development
• Abstract:
  This study assesses the potential safety risks associated with aerodynamic loads produced by the Acela high-speed train when passing freight and bi-level commuter passenger cars. Acela operates at speeds up to 150 mph, on tangent tracks adjacent to nearby passenger and freight trains. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of the aerodynamic loads generated by Acela on slower moving trains. Past experience has shown that these loads can be substantial and could lead to derailments, dislodgement of freight containers or cause damage to windows of passenger rail cars.Three scenarios have been considered here: ; 1. The derailment or wheel lift of a container freight car or consist. ; 2. The breaking loose of dislodgement of shipping containers from a freight consist. ; 3. The breaking or blowout of windows in a passenger rail car. ; This study takes a worst-case approach, where possible, in establishing the aerodynamic loads and the subsequent train response. Therefore, this study determines if such accidents are possible, but does not address whether they are probable.
• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/9450/dot_9450_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.32 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Volpe Center ; Federal Railroad Administration
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:80da00775a370cd6661b3d4075a609714ab4a7d7f9a8626ac887e01b91b54c4b