Crosswind sensitivity assessment of a representative Europe-wide range of conventional vehicles

Abstract

The European Union Seventh Framework Programme research project AeroTRAIN aimed at delivering limit criteria for crosswinds to the ‘Rolling stock – locomotives and passenger rolling stock’ Technical Specification for Interoperability (CR LOC&PAS TSI) and for class 2 trains of the high-speed rolling stock TSI (HS RST TSI). A first objective was the assessment of characteristic wind curve (CWC) for identified class 2 and conventional vehicles with low, but sufficient, crosswind stability (as proven by their safe operational records) on the EN 14067-6: 2010 single track with ballast and rails (STBR) standard configuration. In the same manner, and as a second objective, Reference CWC and limit criteria for class 1 trains of HS RST TSI were planned to be determined. For all these trains, the aerodynamic coefficients were obtained in a unique wind tunnel campaign using the STBR ground configuration. Their crosswind sensitivity was assessed against a calculated CWC obtained from vehicle dynamics simulations. The resulting database will allow the derivation of the relevant limit criteria still needed for vehicle authorization regarding crosswind stability.