Enhancing Railway Network Safety by Reproducing Wheel–Rail Electrical Contact on a Laboratory Scale

Abstract

Ensuring the safety of rail networks requires precise detection of a train’s position on a track section. This is achieved using a “track circuit” system, in which the wheel–rail electrical contact is the key to maintaining the system’s reliability. However, any degradation of this contact can lead to a track circuit malfunction known as “deshunting”, creating a serious safety risk for the rail network and for passengers. This paper presents a refined approach to this concern by implementing a laboratory-scale test bench. The main objective is to reproduce the wheel–rail electrical contact under controlled conditions to better understand the various aspects of this contact. The criteria governing the dimensioning of the test bench at reduced scale are based primarily on mechanical considerations. In this study, a series of tests were carried out to investigate the behavior of the electrical resistance as a function of various parameters such as load, current and time. An original homemade salt spray system was designed and used for obtaining controlled rail oxidation. Our preliminary results highlight the impact of these factors on the electrical resistance, providing valuable insights for future advances in rail safety technology.