Influence of gauge face worn profile and lubrication on vehicle/track interaction

The vehicle/track interaction caused by a vehicle negotiating a sharply curved track is very important to analyze vehicle running stability and materials integrity. Wheel flange /gauge face wear is influenced by the vehicle/track interaction, such as the attack angle of wheelset and lateral force interacting between wheel and rail, while the worn profiles of flange and gauge corners have an influence on vehicle/track interaction. In this study, some track site measurements have been carried out for two years on Shinkansen sharp curved tracks to investigate the influence of gauge face wear on vehicle/track interaction, and also on narrow-gauge sharp curved tracks to investigate the effect of lubrication on vehicle/track interaction. This paper describes the detailed arrangements and results of measurements.