An algorithm to estimate the lateral position of wheel-rail contact and corresponding rail profile radius

Abstract

This research develops, verifies, and validates an algorithm using MATLAB® coding and measured rail profile data to estimate the lateral position of wheel-rail contact and corresponding rail profile radius. The lateral contact position and the contact radius are two rail profile performance measures developed by this research that enable more refined characterization of the rail profile and its influence on rail wear and vehicle dynamics. More broadly, the algorithm contributes to rail maintenance research and practice by developing new measures of performance based solely on commonly available rail profile data. The algorithm validation process analyzes the reasonableness of algorithm output against a series of expected results using rail profile data from selected tangent segments of a closed loop, captive fleet, North American rail transit property. The algorithm output does not significantly deviate from any of the expected results, and as a result, the algorithm is considered validated.