Methods for Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement of Top of Rail Friction Modifiers (TORFM) in Revenue Service

The primary objective of this study is to continue the efforts toward evaluating, designing, and building highly accurate devices for qualitative and quantitative measurement of Top of Rail Friction Modifiers (TORFM) in Revenue Service. Specifically, the project aims at: (1) Determining the capability of the sensors that the research team has developed for measuring Top TORFM layer thickness at speeds up to 10 – 15 mph, to make the sensor suitable for installation on Hy-rail trucks for railroad applications, and (2) Evaluate the most effective approach for commercializing the sensor to another entity that would be able to make it available to the railroads as a commercial product. The current effort will mainly emphasize the application of innovative laser-based technology for measuring the layer thickness of TORFM at speeds far higher than those the team has tested in the lab and field, thus far. This is a continuation of the efforts currently underway at the Railway Technologies Laboratory (RTL) for designing and implementing various optical technologies for reliably and reasonably accurately measuring how much TORFM is present on the railhead. This effort is intended to reduce reliance on empirical assessments, which is the only available method for assessing whether there is an adequate amount of TORFM available on the rail. The U.S. railroads spend a considerable amount of money on TORFM lubrication material to reduce wheel-rail rolling resistance, improve fuel economy, and improve curving forces. The methods for determining the adequacy of the TORFM application are empirical. An experienced engineer examines the rail visually, tactilely, or both; to determine if enough lubricant has been applied. Such methods, however, are highly subjective and ultimately rely on the track engineer's experience. The subjectivity in assessing the extent to which the rail is lubricated can lead to applying too much TORFM, unnecessarily, or applying too little, not realizing all of the benefits. Additionally, at times the lubricant applicators can run dry or stop working, resulting in rail not being properly lubricated until the failure is detected, often days later. Such incidents can go undetected by track engineers or the track master because it is often difficult to determine if the rail has been lubricated when the train passes. More effective lubricity measurements will remedy such problems.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $108000
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747132

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg

  Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
  3500 Transportation Research Plaza
  Blacksburg, VA  United States  24061
• Project Managers:

  AHMADIAN, M

• Performing Organizations:

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg

  Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
  3500 Transportation Research Plaza
  Blacksburg, VA  United States  24061
• Principal Investigators:

  AHMADIAN, M

• Start Date: 20201204
• Expected Completion Date: 20230930
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Friction; Lasers; Lubrication; Railroad tracks; Rolling contact; Sensors; Thickness
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01762027
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: University Transportation Center on Improving Rail Transportation Infrastructure Sustainability and Durability
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747132
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jan 7 2021 11:05PM