Conventional Versus Self-Steering Radial Trucks for High-Speed Passenger Trains

Abstract

The performance of self-steering, articulated, and nonarticulated trucks for high-speed passenger trains was compared to a conventional passenger truck. Lateral stability and steady state curving analyses were used to evaluate a design speed of 200 km/h (125 mi/h), and a wheel tread/rail head wear index in curves. Based on the results of this analytical study, the self-steering articulated truck would reduce the wear index in curves by a factor of two. However, the use of a “relaxation” device in the secondary yaw suspension of the conventional nonarticulated truck would reduce the wear index in curves by a factor of four.