Reduction of Dynamic Wheel/Rail Impact Forces at Grade Crossings Using Stiffness Transitions
Date
2001-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Abstract
This paper presents the results of combined analytical and field study of the use of vertical stiffness transition zones to reduce dynamic wheel/rail impact forces at the interface between conventional track and high/rail grade crossings. These interfaces are traditionally sites of severe dynamic impact forces and corresponding rapid degradation of the geometry of the track. A recent FRA sponsored research study developed a new analytical technique to define the number of and magnitude of the stiffness transition zones needed to reduce the dynamic impact forces. This technique was used to design a series of transitions for a concrete grade crossing, which were installed on New Jersey Transit's Atlantic City Line in the vicinity of ATCO New Jersey in 1998. Field tests performed on the grade crossing after installation showed a significant reduction in measured dynamic vertical accelerations across the grade crossing as compared to other crossings on the same line. Recent follow up evaluation of this grade crossing showed that it is performing significantly better than similar adjacent grade crossings on the same line and that there has been a marked reduction in degradation of the track/grade crossing and associated maintenance. This paper will present the results of the theoretical formulation. analytical study, and the field tests.
Description
Keywords
Rapid degradation
Citation
Zarembski, A.M, Palese, Joseph W., and Katz, Leonid “Reduction of Dynamic Wheel/Rail Impact Forces at Grade Crossings Using Stiffness Transitions”, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2001 ImechE Congress, New York, NY, November 2001