High-Speed Passenger and Intercity Train Aerodynamic Computer Modeling

Abstract With the onset of high-speed passenger train service in the United States, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and railroad agencies are concerned with the aerodynamic effects these trains will have on lightweight freight equipment, such as empty double stack container cars. This paper presents the results of a research project that evaluated this interaction. In this study we conducted a series of computational fluid dynamic (CDF) calculations to characterize the aerodynamic loads on a container consist passed by a high-speed train. A train motion simulation program was used to determine resultant motion and risk of overturning or derailment of the container consist. Numerous cases were studied in which train speed and wind speed and direction were varied.

Перевод пока недоступен