Multiple Model Based Real Time Estimation of Wheel-Rail Contact Conditions

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a novel and vehicle based technique for the real time estimation of the contact conditions by using multiple models to represent variations in the adhesion level and different contact conditions. The proposed scheme interprets the variations in the dynamic response of the wheelset with the changing adhesion conditions into contact condition information. The proposed system involves the use of a number of carefully selected mathematical models of a rail vehicle to mimic train dynamic behaviours in response to different track conditions. The level of matches/mismatches is reflected in the estimation errors of the models concerned, when compared with the real vehicle. The output residuals from all the models are then assessed to determine the track conditions