Wheel Rail Interface

The Monash Institute of Railway Technology has significant experience in solving wheel-rail interface related issues for a wide range of operating conditions, including heavy haul, freight, mass transit, light rail and high speed rail.

• Key areas of expertise include:
  Assessment of damage mechanisms in wheel-rail contact:
  • Wear
  • Rolling contact fatigue
  • Corrugation
• Wheel-rail contact modelling
• Design and implementation of wheel and rail profiles
• Switch and crossing assessment
• Development and optimisation of rail and wheel profiling procedures and practices
• Assessment of wheel and rail material behaviour
• Lubrication and friction management
• Wheel-rail induced noise

Considerable benefits can be gained through appropriate wheel-rail interface management, including improved safety, reduced defect rates, extended wheel and rail life, improved vehicle stability, reduced wheel-rail noise and the development of suitable standards and maintenance procedures.