Analysis of long freight wagon running safety depending on wheel/rail contact friction coefficient

Freight railway transport is an important part of the transport infrastructure of every modern as well as developing country. Nowadays, intermodal transport of containers is still on the rise. Therefore, more and more freight wagons for intermodal transport are being produced and operated. Freight wagons for intermodal transport are characterized by their longer design allowing transportation of containers with various dimensions. Another characteristic is, that operation of empty wagons is not very favorable regarding running safety. This research is aimed at analysis of running safety of a long freight wagon, which is designed for intermodal transport of containers. The main objective is to investigate a change of the main safety indicator - derailment quotient for empty and fully loaded case and for various friction coefficient in the wheel/rail contact. Analyses are performed by means of simulation computations. The commercial multibody software was used for the research. Multibody models of empty as well as fully loaded wagons were created. Three friction coefficient values were chosen for a calculation of forces in the wheel/rail contact. Simulation analyses were performed for wagon running on a railway track with a defined geometry, which corresponds with a real track section. The results of the simulation analyses are achieved for both rigid and flexible track foundation.