Minimum Curve Radii for High-Speed Trains, Including the Gyroscopic Moments of the Wheels

Abstract

This paper studies the title problem including an analysis of the gyroscopic effects of the wheels of a rail-car travelling at high-speed around a level, horizontal curve. The analysis is based upon the fundamental principles of dynamics. The result is a design formula for the minimum curve radius needed to prevent derailment. Aside from the rail car geometric and physical properties, the minimum curve radius depends upon the square the train speed. An illustrative example shows that the wheel gyroscopic effect is destabilizing and additive to the centrifugal force derailment tendency. From a track design perspective, however, the gyroscopic effect is relatively small compared with the centrifugal force effect.