RIVAS – Mitigation Measures on Vehicles (WP5); Experimental Analysis of SBB Ground Vibration Measurements and Vehicle Data

The goal of the EU project RIVAS (Railway Induced Vibration Abatement Solutions) is to take ground-borne vibration mitigation on open tracks an essential step forward. In this context, measures to be taken on the rolling stock are investigated in Work Package 5 (WP5). The influence of rolling stock was tested in comprehensive ground vibration measurements of regular trains carried out in the SBB railway network.

The vibration analyses were correlated with vehicle-specific data and out-of-roundness measurements. The analyses show that of all railway vehicle parameters, wheel condition and unsprung mass have the major influence on vibration emissions. These analyses result in vibration mitigation measures on the rolling stock with the goal of sustainably improving wheel condition and reducing unsprung mass. These measures have the potential of considerably reducing vibrations and will be further developed.

The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreement no 265754.