RTRI REPORT Jan. 1998

An Experiment for Developing an Active Controlled Truck for High Speed Operation

Kimiaki SASAKI, Shougo KAMOSHITA, Yoshiki SUGAHARA


This paper reports on developments and bench tests of active controlled narrow gauge single axle trucks. Most of narrow gauge lines of Japan have many tight curves which restrict high speed operation. To enhance the running speed on curves, lightweight and low mass-center trains based on new concepts being studied. The features of these trucks are an active control system (i.e. active controlled steering, active suspension, active tilt control) and an independent wheel single axle truck. The trucks are 1/3 in weight as compared with traditional trucks. These trucks are tested on the rolling stock test plant and the results are certified. (1) Active steering control system stabilizes the truck up to 200km/h. (2) Active suspension is effective to reduce vibration at resonant frequency of carbody.