Wind Tunnel Test Reproducing Track Surface Flow of Passing Shinkansen Trains to Study Ballast Projection and Ballast Screen Lifting

Passing Shinkansen trains create track surface flows. Screens are installed on track surfaces to prevent ballast projection due to this flow. However, considering future extensions to high-speed lines and faster Shinkansen running speeds commensurate countermeasures must be developed. Field tests are an effective way to develop such measures, however, conducting research and development using field tests is difficult owing to the risk of ballast projection. This paper therefore describes the development of a wind tunnel test method for flying ballast and ballast screens, and wind tunnel tests to evaluate the possibility of ballast projection and ballast screen lifting.