Institute of Railway Technology's expertise in the heavy haul and mass transit railway industries includes the identification of problem areas and the development of the necessary technical and analytical resources to solve operational problems. A key to the success of the group has been the multidisciplinary approach to research, with an emphasis on vehicle/track interaction.
-
Development of analytical models to assess the curving performance and dynamic response of vehicles.
-
Assessment of the dynamic response of track structures and the selection of components to reduce dynamic loads.
-
Hunting vehicle detection system for heavy haul.
-
Assessment and development of wheel impact monitoring systems.
-
Vehicle-mounted corrugation measurement.
-
Identification of maintenance requirements to improve vehicle response and to reduce component wear.
-
Structural integrity testing and modelling.
-
Establishment of analytical and test procedures to assess the wear behaviour of wheel/rail materials.
-
Design of modified wheel profiles resulting in marked improvements in wheel life and reduction in energy consumption.
-
Assessment of modified wheel designs and various bogie types.
-
Providing technical input for management models to derive cost-optimal operating conditions, including wheel maintenance procedures.
-
Development of modelling procedures to predict fuel consumption for different operating procedures and track geometries.
-
Development of operations/scheduling models to assess requirements for varying haulage levels.
