ABSTRACT
According to elementary physics, a vehicle running at a speed V on a curve of radius R develops a centrifugal acceleration y=V2fR and a centrifugal force F=m·V2fR with the following adverse consequences: + reduction in passenger comfort, + important transverse forces favouring conditions for derailment, + increased transverse loading of both track and rolling stock, resulting in
In order to reduce the above unfavourable effects, the following measures are available: • Using as large a radius of curvature R as possible. Such a measure is not
easily implemented, however, due to topographical constraints, which often make large radii conditional on expensive civil engineering projects (bridges, tunnels, high embankments or cuts).
