Train driving simulation as a tool to reduce railway particle emissions

Research Project, 2018

Sweden is facing large investments in order to expand, and increase the capacity of its existing railway infrastructure. This feasibility study constitutes an interdisciplinary collaboration between three research institutes (VTI, Chalmers University of Technology and RISE) and a block-brake manufacturer (Wabtec). Senior researchers specialised on numerical modelling of friction brakes respective health effects of particle matters (PM), are combined with expertise in the field of train driving simulations to reduce railway’s impact on the environment and human health. The content of the current feasibility study is decided in order to prepare for a subsequent research and innovation project (FoI-project). A possible focus of this application is for example the development of guidelines for the construction of new railway lines in order to reduce wheel and rail damage, particle and noise emissions, and the health effects of PM. The train driving simulator of VTI is further developed to account for the wear of brake blocks and wheel treads generated during braking. The relation between speed regulations and the amount of generated wear is important in the project. As being part of a feasibility study, the implementation of a model for the prediction of particle emissions is prepared by giving recommendations for the following FoI-project. In a separate study, the influence of block braking on the wear generated in the wheelrail contacts is investigated. This part of the feasibility study aims to shed light on the influence of the train driving behavior on track degradation in order to prepare for the FoI-project application.