RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN OF A STEERABLE TRANSIT TRUCK. FINAL PROJECT REPORT

This program was initiated as the result of the findings of the WMATA wheel wear/track wear study. Because of the close wheel/track tolerance and flange profile, WMATA noted a wear rate in both wheel and track which was several times higher than anticipated. Because earlier studies of a steerable truck concept had never been completed, WMATA requested UMTA assistance to complete the evaluation. The program objective was to design, analyze and recommend a steerable truck retrofit to the Washington Metro Rockwell trucks. The design features two-point, body-to-axle steering and replacement of the axle bearing rubber sleeve and end cap with an axle bearing box, top mount and laminated rubber/steel sandwiches. Steering input is by lever and push/pull rods. The brake housing-to-sideframe mountings are modified to ensure maximum pad/disc contact area. The incorporated design was computer analyzed mathematically for performance with respect to dynamic stability and curving ability. The results of the analyses define a stable vehicle within the dynamic envelope of the WMATA system and flange-free curving ability on curves of radii above 500 feet. Because of the large design change at the sideframe/axle interface, a finite element stress analysis was performed resulting in the requirement for a preliminary design sideframe reinforcing cap to be welded to the sideframe.

• Corporate Authors:

  UTDC Incorporated

  PO Box 70, Station "A"
  Kingston, ONo,   Canada 

  Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

  600 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Horwat, J W
• Publication Date: 1990-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 213 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Design; Development; Noise control; Railroad rails; Rapid transit cars; Research; Wear; Wheels
• Identifier Terms: Urban Mass Transportation Act
• Uncontrolled Terms: Design criteria; Noise reduction; Research and development
• Old TRIS Terms: Steerable trucks; Umta section 6
• Subject Areas: Design; Public Transportation; Research; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00497136
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Urban Mass Transportation Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-DC-06-0362-90-1, TR 443 700 001
• Contract Numbers: UMTA-DC-06-0362
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 30 1990 12:00AM