TR Circular E-C058_9th LRT Conference_2003.pdf - Florida ...

Fraser, Leary, Marianeschi, and Pellegrini 131
• Ensure that all parties are fully aware of exactly what track conditions (geometry and
quality) and maintenance standards will be maintained (taking into consideration the inherent
characteristics of independent wheel designs). Reliable line geometry and defect measurements
should be taken to avoid any misunderstandings. Such information should be included in the
specification, and must be used as a design input.
• Focus on early identification of any track features that may cause derailment
potential, so that they can be addressed before the vehicles are delivered.
• Perform rigorous and truly representative dynamic modeling of the vehicle design
over the actual track conditions that will be encountered.
• Validate the dynamic model by track testing at the earliest opportunity.
• Recognize that track maintenance standards must be rigorously enforced and may
need to be raised to a higher level.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank their respective employers for their support during preparation of this paper
and note that any views expressed herein are the authors’ only, and not those of their employers.
The efforts of the following in understanding the derailment mechanisms is recognized: the
TTCI team, most prominently John Elkins and Nicholas Wilson, and the
AnsaldoBreda/Politecnico team, led by Professor Giorgio Diana.
REFERENCES
1. Strong, D., and G. T. Morse. Low Floor Light Rail Vehicles for the MBTA’s Green Line:
History of Development and Progress So Far. Proceedings of the 1996 Rapid Transit
Conference of the American Public Transportation Association, Vol. 2.
2. Fraser, G. R., and G. T. Morse. Low Floor LRVs for Boston’s Green Line: Technical
Features and Challenges. Proceedings of the 1997 IEEE/ASME Joint Railroad Conference.
3. Fraser, G. R., and G. T. Morse. Engineering Solutions for MBTA’s Low Floor LRVs.
Proceedings of the 1997 Rapid Transit Conference of the American Public Transportation
Association, Vol. 2.
4. Fraser, G. R., M. Marianeschi, and G. T. Morse. Boston’s Low-Floor LRV—Program
Update. Proceedings of the 1998 IEEE/ASME Joint Railroad Conference, and Proceedings
of the 1998 Rapid Transit Conference of the American Public Transportation Association.
5. Track Safety Standards. Code of Federal Regulations. 49 CFR Part 213, Subpart A to F, Oct.,
1998.