Citation

Andersson E, Häggström J, Sima M, Stichel S. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Pt. F J. Rail Rapid Transit 2004; 218(3): 213-223.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1243/0954409042389382

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper describes the methodology for safety assessment related to the risk of a train overturning in strong cross-winds. As an example, this methodology is applied on the high-speed line Botniabanan being built for a maximum speed of 250 km/h in the northeast coastal region of Sweden. The process starts with a systematic identification of locations along the line having a potential high risk of overturning due to cross-winds. This is followed by a cross-disciplinary study. The first step is to estimate the probabilities of wind velocity and wind directions. The next step is aerodynamic computation of overturning forces and moments acting on relevant types of train. Further, the critical overturning wind velocity is determined by a multi-body simulation technique. Finally, the overturning accident frequency is calculated. The calculated risk is compared with generally accepted risk levels in modern train operation.

Language: en