Abstract: The article presents the assumptions and simulation foundations for a tram track technical condition monitoring system. The main objectives and methodology of conducting simulation studies are discussed. Example vibration characteristics obtained from computer simulations are included, which serve as the basis for defining the assumptions for the tram track technical condition monitoring system.1. INTRODUCTION
Improving the safety and reliability of vehicles, including trams, is one of the very important issues in the operations of public transport companies. Frequent monitoring of the condition of the vehicle and the track has a significant impact on proper planning and reducing the costs of maintaining rolling stock and infrastructure. Early detection of track wear allows for appropriate maintenance planning, reducing the risk of sudden and unplanned reactions in the event of exceeding critical wear values.
Meanwhile, an analysis of the existing state conducted for the purposes of this work showed that entities managing tram infrastructure in Poland do not possess systems for monitoring the condition of the track and forecasting its degree of wear. Municipal transport companies only have devices for local measurement of its wear, which are used mainly in the event of vehicle derailments. These devices do not record track wear continuously, nor do they determine the impact of wear on the dynamics of the tram’s ride on a given section. The condition of the track is determined mainly through visual inspection. If necessary, the speed of trams on the most worn sections is limited, with the permissible speed also being determined tentatively, with a large margin of error [1].
The condition of the track adversely affects not only safety against derailment, but also the stability of the tram’s ride and the noise generated to the environment. Therefore, monitoring the condition of the track in tram networks should contribute not only to improving the running properties of the tram, but also its impact on the environment.
It also enables more accurate management of the repair process for individual track sections – by indicating the most dangerous places in operation. An important issue is also the possibility of determining the optimal tram speed from the point of view of comfort and safety on a given, worn section of the track. (…)
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Source: Logistyka Magazine