Integration of vehicle-track analysis tools for city rail systems

In this paper, the vehicle-track system of city track traffic is being studied as a whole. The links between tools used by different engineering disciplines in the city track traffic field is investigated. A database of tool shares been set up and is being used to establish links between tools and, more importantly, gaps where tools are not interfacing as they could. The structure of the database is outlined in this paper. By the integrated analysis tool, the interaction between design, maintenance and operation of the vehicle and the effect on the track can be investigated. A sample system model is being set up which links some of the identified tools to demonstrate the interfaces in this paper. This system tool is then used to establish the effects of changes in one part of the system (such as the wheel-rail interface) on other parts of the system (such as interaction with the infrastructure).