Roll Dynamics Unit (RDU) Truck Hunting Demonstration

Abstract

The paper describes a test program conducted in order to demonstrate the capabilities of a Roll Dynamics Unit built at the Transportation Test Center, Pueblo, Colorado. A detailed description of the test program, the RDU and Test Track results, and correlation with a 25 deg-of-freedom analytical truck hunting model is provided. The stability characteristics of conventional 89-ft (27.1-m) lateral flat car, which was borrowed from TOFC service and was equipped with convention three-piece freight car trucks, were defined. During the test the car was equipped with two different sets of wheel profiles, one of which was service-worn. It clearly demonstrated the usefulness of the Roll Dynamics Unit for lateral dynamics testing.