Adaptation of rail passenger car suspension parameters to independently rotating wheels

Abstract

This study aimed to adjust the rail passenger car running gear parameters by adapting them to independently rotating wheels. The most important aspect was the safety of the passenger car running in terms of derailment; thus, the values of the Nadal criterion were calculated first. Another aspect to consider is passenger comfort based on the values of Sperling’s comfort index according to the rail passenger car speed. The modes of suspension behaviour during operation were considered in two typical conditions: on a straight track section and on a curve with a 200-m radius. Calculations were performed using Universal Mechanism software. The results are interpreted in the paper, and the final conclusions of this study are given.