Author(s)

L. Cantone, L. Müller, D. Negretti & V. Vullo

Abstract

In order to increase the productivity of freight trains and to harmonize the standards of different countries, there is the need for a new and reliable numerical simulator, since the in-line test campaigns are expensive and they should be reduced to a minimum amount. Furthermore, this simulator should easily be customized by each Railway Operator. In order to face these challenges, the UIC decided to improve and to validate the software TrainDy, and to deliver its source code to railway Operators, Research Centres and Universities that will join an ad hoc Consortium, led by the UIC. This paper gives the outlines of the numerical models implemented in TrainDy and shows some of the results of the validation process undertaken. Keywords: longitudinal forces, improving freight trains productivity, modelling of pneumatic braking. 1 Introduction Longitudinal forces (LF) exchanged by two consecutive vehicles of a train have a great impact on suitable length, applicable traction power, capacity and permissible speed of freight trains. Wrong decisions concerning these parameters result in accidents due to derailments, damage of wagons, goods and railways, but also in higher maintenance costs and lowered capacity. In order to increase freight train productivity, the International Union of Railways (UIC) has provided software for the calculation of LF for more than 25 years to the participating railways. Now the UIC has decided to develop a new system and to

Keywords

longitudinal forces, improving freight trains productivity, modelling of pneumatic braking.