Chairman: Andy Doherty
RSSB committee member: Ken Timmis
Secretary: Matt Pierzchala on 020 3142 5598
Introduction
The Vehicle/Track SIC (V/T SIC) was established to provide the focus for the interface between the vehicle wheel and the rail and between the vehicle and track interaction.
Scope
The scope of the Vehicle/Track System Interface Committee (V/T SIC) is defined in its remit and aims to:
- Define the geometry condition of the wheel/rail interface
- Set out permitted track geometry ie. curve radius, installed cant, vertical curvature etc
- Define the permitted track conditions for the type of track eg. mainline
- Identify the allowable wheelset parameters, ie. gauge, conicity, profile, axle load for the trains that operate on the network
- Maintain the wheel/rail interface within the prescribed limits and ensure safety of the railway.
Implement processes to ensure sustainability of the railway
- Ensure systems exist for seasonal maintenance activities and revised to account for seasonal variation
- Utilise systems to monitor the condition at the wheel / rail interface. Data collected by these systems is to be analysed and distributed to the appropriate party for the monitoring of performance and programme rectification activities.
Membership
The V/T SIC has members representing the following industry stakeholders:
- Passenger train operators
- ROSCOs
- Non-passenger operators
- Infrastructure managers
- Infrastructure contractors
- Suppliers
- ORR
- DfT
- RSSB
SIC programme
The SIC has developed a programme of work covering the period 2011 – 2013.
The SIC is currently focussing on the following initiatives:
- Supporting the track friendly trains project to promote the use of a variable stiffness primary yaw suspension component
- Proposing focus areas for Vehicle Track Access Changes (VTACs) in CP5
- Developing the Whole Life Rail Model
- Developing and promoting decision support tools such as Track-ex and Vehicle Track Interaction Strategic Model (VTISM)
- Developing the Adhesion Research agenda
- Developing and promulgating best practice in wheelset management
- Supporting industry in the investigation and cost effective remediation of V/T issues
Research and development
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On behalf of the V/T SIC, a guide has been produced to all vehicle/track interaction research in the RSSB-managed research programme. The guide gives a general overview of research in this area that has been completed and also that which is currently in progress. Printed copies of the booklet can be requested by emailing research@rssb.co.uk. |
SIC sub-groups
The V/T committee has the following sub-groups:
- Adhesion Strategy Group
- V/T Technical Advisory Group (TAG). The scope of the subgroup is defined in its remit
- Wheelset Management Group
SIC publications
Events
On 26 October 2011, the V/T SIC held a one-day seminar in London. The seminar presented the work undertaken by V/T SIC over the last year and a review of progress since the last event. The seminar also provided the opportunity to meet with many of the experts in this field. You can view the presentations from the seminar via hyperlinks in the agenda.