Abstract
The accuracy of the results from a rail vehicle dynamic model is dependent on the realism of the track input to the model. An important part of the track input is the irregularities that exist on actual track. This study presents a new modeling tool, called TRAKVU, for creating track data with the irregularities for use as the input to NUCARS, a rail vehicle dynamic analysis tool. TRAKVU enables users to create track data and apply the appropriate irregularities so that the track will have the same characteristics as the desired class of track.
A validation was performed to determine how well track created in TRAKVU simulated actual tracks. The statistical characteristics of created tracks were compared directly with actual tracks. The created track was also used as input to a dynamic model. The predicted vehicle response was then compared with the vehicle response due to measured track data. The results from the validation showed that the created track performed as well as the measured track in providing the input to a dynamic model.
