High-Speed Rail Turnout Literature Review

High-speed rail (HSR) turnout design criteria generally address unbalanced lateral acceleration or cant deficiency (CD), cant deficiency change rate (CDCR), and entry and exit jerk. Various countries have adopted different design values for their HSR systems based on their unique experiences and operating conditions. The design criteria (e.g., one for unbalanced lateral accelerations and jerk) have a direct influence on passenger ride comfort, but cannot be used as performance indices because they only account for kinematic responses, not dynamic responses. In North America, vehicle and turnout dynamic performances must comply with ride comfort and safety standards, such as Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Track Safety Standards, Part 213. In a worldwide market, vehicle and track performance will most likely comply with ISO 2631. Switch rail optimization methodologies, such as Kinematic Gage Optimization and rail reprofiling, have demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing wheel force, rail force and rail wear through improved axle steering capability. The presteer switch was originally designed for North American low-speed turnouts, and its performance on HSR should be examined. Track stiffness uniformity along a turnout is critical for HSR operation. Proper track transition and optimal track stiffness can reduce wheel and rail impact forces while improving ride quality.

• Record URL:
  https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L18322
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Technology Center, Incorporated

  55500 DOT Road
  Pueblo, CO  United States  81001

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Railroad Policy and Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Research, Development, and Technology
  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Shu, Xinggao
  • Davis, David
• Publication Date: 2016-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 32p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Design; High speed rail; Literature reviews; Optimization; Railroad tracks; Railroad turnouts; Ride quality; Stiffness; Switches (Railroads)
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01608525
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/FRA/ORD-16/34
• Contract Numbers: DTFR53-12-C-00008
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 29 2016 11:10AM