The paper presents the development of an intelligent image processing algorithm capable of detecting fatigue defects from images of the rail surface. The links between the defect detection algorithm and 3D models for rail crack propagation are investigated, considering the influence of input parameters (materials, vehicle characteristics, loading conditions). The dynamic behaviour at the wheel-...

Railway infrastructure monitoring is a vital task to ensure rail transportation safety. A rail failure could result in not only a considerable impact on train delays and maintenance costs, but also on safety of passengers. In this article, the aim is to assess the risk of a rail failure by analyzing a type of rail surface defect called squats that are detected automatically among the huge numbe...

Rail wheel squeal on curves in rail track is a source of potential noise annoyance to residents adjacent to rail lines. For one private rail freight operator, wheel squeal was causing repeated complaints from neighbours. Wheel squeal can be caused by the wheel-tyre to rail-top interaction and the wheel flange interaction with the gauge face of the rail (more like a screech). This paper describe...

Abstract: To ensure the rail transportations safety, evaluation of fatigue behavior of the rail steel is necessary. High cycle fatigue behaviour of a rail steel was the subject of investigation in this research using fracture mechanics. Finite element method (FEM) was used for analyzing the distribution of the stresses on the rail, exerted by the external load. FEM analysis showed that the ...

Unexpected daytime F-region irregularities following the appearance of an ionospheric hole have been observed over low latitude. The irregularities developed initially above the F-region peak height (~ 360 km) with a thickness of about 30 km and an east-west extension of more than 200 km around 1057 LT and then expanded upward to 500 km altitude behaving like the equatorial spread-F (ESF) irreg...

In this paper, theoretical derailment equations for cross-wind with frequency were derived to assess running safety. For a KTX (Korean high-speed train) unit, the wheel unloading ratios, which are criteria evaluating derailments in UIC (International union of railways) and TSI (Technical Specification Interoperability) regulations, calculated through formula under driving regulations according ...

At present, high-speed rail is used only as a mode of passenger transport. Yet, the acceleration of logistics and freight transport flows could be compatible with high-speed rail capabilities. This article examines the experiences, literature and prospects of high-speed rail for freight. It uses three hypotheses to evaluate the development of freight high-speed rail services in Europe. The arti...

Currently most modern dc rapid transit systems around the world use running rails or a negative rail as the negative return circuit for the dc traction current. These rails are intentionally kept ungrounded from ground (earth) by using insulating material between the rail and earth to minimize dc stray current. This configuration of return current rail develops varying voltage with respect to g...

In 2014, more than 43 cities in China were racing to construct their urban rail systems (including metro and light rail systems), recognizing that an urban rail system will be a good solution to the tough problems that they are faced with, including traffic congestion and PM2.5 air pollution. On 22 August 2012, the first electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) energy storage-type rail vehicle in...

An ideal magnetic rail should provide a homogeneous magnetic field along the longitudinal direction to guarantee the reliable friction-free operation of high temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev vehicles. But in reality, magnetic field inhomogeneity may occur due to lots of reasons; the joint gap is the most direct one. Joint gaps inevitably exist between adjacent segments and influence the...