Wheel Rail Interface

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

Key areas of expertise include:

• Assessment of damage mechanisms in wheel-rail contact:
  • Wear
  • Rolling contact fatigue
  • Corrugations
• Wheel-rail contact modelling
• Design and implementation of wheel and rail profiles
• Development of rail profiling procedures and practices
• Assessment of wheel and rail material behaviour
• Lubrication and friction management
• Wheel-rail noise

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