After the derailment-induced collision accident on the Eidan Subway Hibiya Line in March 2000, RTRI has intensively studied the problems of flange climbing derailment to improve the safety of train operation. RTRI investigated creepage characteristics and friction coefficient between wheel and rail, implemented derailment tests on the RTRI test line and performed a number of simulations, in order to clarify the mechanism of flange climbing derailment. As a result, it proposed a method to evaluate the safety of trains running at low speed on a sharp curve and to design and provide maintenance services to trains and tracks from the viewpoint of ensuring the safety of rail transport.

Copyright (c) 2004 Railway Technical Research Institute