Rail/Wheel Practices to Improve Ride Quality

The Port Authority of Allegheny County as part of its preparation for the Stage II Light Rail Program undertook a study of the existing rail/wheel interface on the Stage I system that opened in 1986. The purpose of the study was to determine the performance of the system and identify what changes, if any, should be made in the Stage II design to improve ride quality and car performance. This paper describes the findings of the study relating to rail wear, rail/wheel noise, ride quality, wheel wear and the changes suggested to improve them. Items to be discussed in this paper include: (1) reduction of rail/wheel related noise; (2) rail grinding to remove corrugations and provide rail profiles to reduce hunting and improve ride quality; (3) changes to the truck design to increase rail and wheel life; (4) introduction of wheel monitoring, wheel truing and a car mounted wheel lubrication system; (5) introduction of regular checks of track geometry using a geometry car; (6) regular inspection of rails for internal flaws; and (7) changes to the design of embedded track. This paper describes how each of these items was implemented or incorporated into the Stage II program and the results to date. The presentation will be illustrated with photographs and diagrams.