Real-time rail–wheel wear damage control

This paper presents the performance of a real-time rail–wheel wear damage control system with respect to different operation conditions. In particular, an investigation into the wear growth rate control under changing wheel–rail friction conditions and different operation speeds is performed. Simulation using a mathematical model considering longitudinal–vertical–pitch dynamics of a locomotive running on straight tracks shows that the proposed controller can effectively reduce the rail–wheel wear damage by limiting mass loss rate, particularly during acceleration under low and medium speeds.