ABSTRACT
Understanding rail vehicle dynamics is fundamental to guarantee the safe and cost-effective operations of modern railways. With the increasing demands for safer rail vehicles with higher speeds and higher loads, more innovative methods for rail vehicle dynamics analysis to provide a comprehensive understanding of rail vehicle dynamic performance are required. The application of rail vehicle dynamics analysis encompasses the full range from rail vehicle manufacture (concept development, detailed design, design evolution and risk analysis), to train operations (ride comfort, lateral instabilities, derailment potential) and track infrastructure design and maintenance (maximising the track life and minimising the cost of infrastructure maintenance).
