Reducing Lateral Contact Forces of Low-Floor LRV Using Friction Control (Development of Creep Force Model and Effectiveness for Independently Rotating Wheels)

Abstract

In this investigation, curving performance for low-floor light rail vehicles (LRV) with friction controls on wheel/rail interface is discussed. To this end, a creep force model subjected to friction modifiers is developed by introducing an equivalent shear modulus of rigidity. Good agreements in the creep force characteristics are obtained between the proposed model and experiment. It is shown with the proposed creep force model that use of friction modifiers on an inner rail is effective for reducing lateral contact forces of LRV with independently rotating wheels.