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TOP OF RAIL FRICTION CONTROL |
Quantifying the Benefits of Top of Rail Friction Control (continued)
Railways would like to see the use of microprocessors to make "smart" wayside applicators that will ensure that the systems are working properly, and enable operators to remotely turn the systems on or off to accommodate maintenance activities, such as rail flaw detection, rail grinding, tamping or tie renewals. Railways also encourage the development of non-contact applicators (vs. traditional wiping bars) that don't require removal for maintenance activities.
Other issues relate to the lubrication/friction management materials, themselves. Railroaders expressed a need for all-weather wayside products that remain effective within a temperature range of -40 to +140 degrees F over the seasons. They want a product that will not easily burn off—even in the presence of 350-degree "hot wheels."
One Western road plans to begin evaluating car-based TOR deployment systems in the near future. While on-board, locomotive-mounted application equipment is in use, most railroads' Mechanical Departments generally are not eager to participate in the application of TOR material.
The biggest benefit of TOR friction control, as seen by one of the major Canadian railways, is reduction in lateral loads. While 25% - 30% reductions have been identified, the cost benefits associated with these reductions have been difficult to capture. Other benefits, such as reduced fuel consumption and reduced rail and wheel wear, while generally accepted, are also difficult to quantify.
Research & Development Needs
As is the case with developing technology, there are more questions than answers. But what was clear among this focus group is that the industry must collect more and better data to improve implementation. The consensus among the railroaders at the roundtable was that several issues must be addressed in order for TOR friction control programs to gain wider acceptance. The industry must:
• Identify a clear linkage to fuel savings, which are not yet well documented. While the primary objective is to reduce curving forces, energy reduction is gaining interest.
• Document how TOR friction management impacts the threshold speed of hunting.
• Determine if TOR friction control is as effective in “high-speed, low-curvature” as in “low-speed, high-curvature” track.
• Determine if TOR systems are as beneficial to intermodal as they are to unit coal operations.
