Optimization of Rail Vehicle Operating Speed With Practical Constraints

Abstract

A constrained optimization algorithm to maximize the operating speed of a fifteen degree-of-freedom lateral dynamic model for a passenger railcar subject to random alignment irregularities is presented in this paper. The constraints placed on the optimization problem limit the passenger discomfort, primary and secondary suspension clearance, the wheel slippage, and secondary suspension stroke to practical values while traversing a curve. The optimization results demonstrate that the primary suspension system and the wheel conicity have the most profound influence on maximizing the critical speed where “hunting” begins. The maximum critical speed is insensitive to large variations in secondary yaw stiffness. The secondary lateral stiffness has less effect on the maximum critical speed than the primary lateral stiffness. Thus, the secondary stiffness can be chosen primarily to satisfy passenger ride comfort specifications. The maximum critical speed is quite sensitive to whether the wheel is new, slightly worn, or severely worn.