OVERTURNING AND EQUILIBRIUM SPEEDS AND SPEED SAFETY MARGIN - A SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Two critical speeds viz., the equilibrium speed and the overturning speed, are recognized to play an important role in defining operational and safety characteristics of railroads. An analysis of the sensitivity of the critical speeds to important operating parameters is presented. Two parameters called the "Speed Safety Margin" and the "Speed Factor" are defined to assist in evaluating the severity of a set of operating conditions. It is concluded that degree of curve has the most drastic effect on safety followed, in decreasing order of effect, by height of CG, superelevation, and track gage. Some comments are offered as a possible guide to safe and economical operation of railroads. (Author abstract)

• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Sudhir, K
  • Prasanna Rao, D L
• Publication Date: 1985-11

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 399-401
• Serial:
  • ASME Journal of Engineering for Industry
  • Volume: 107
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Critical velocity; Mathematical methods; Overturning; Passenger comfort; Prevention; Railroads; Safety; Sensitivity analysis; Speed limits; Steering; Superelevation; Traffic equilibrium; Train track dynamics
• Old TRIS Terms: Critical speeds; Equilibrium speed; Overturning speed; Speed factor; Speed safety margin
• Subject Areas: Highways; Public Transportation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00455221
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1986 12:00AM