<b>Influence of Leaves on the Adhesion between Wheel and Rail</b>

Abstract

Shinichi

Optimal operation of a rail lubrication device with respect to noise reduction and wheel/rail friction coefficient

“…There is also an example of the effect of the use of oils [9], where the slip of the wheels of vehicles is certain, since the value of the coefficient of friction was measurable well below 0.1. There are several studies on how traffic is affected and disrupted by water or falling leaves in autumn [10]. However, the applicability of natural lubrication (leaves and humidity) has also been investigated [11].…”

<b>The Recent Trends in Research on Contact Phenomena in the Railway System</b>

“…Through ongoing field investigations conducted primarily along lines in mountainous areas on the island of Honshu and various kinds of experiments on test tracks and other test apparatus at RTRI, the basic mechanisms leading to loss of adhesion arising from fallen leaves are being clarified. The following is an outline of these mechanisms [6]. As a wheel repeatedly runs over leaves on a rail, leaves are ground to small pieces and adhere to the rail.…”

“A novel methodology for developing ultra-low adhesion leaf layers on a full-scale wheel/rail rig”

“…Testing has used a variety of leaf types, sycamore, 8,9 poplar, 10 elm, 11 cherry blossom 12 or a mixture. 5,13,14 Although work has shown that there is little difference between leaf types chemically or tribologically (as a powder), 15,16 a layer creation standard should focus on "problem" species as defined by the railway industry. 2 The age and condition of leaves in testing has also varied, with both green 8,10 and brown 14,17,18 used.…”

“…5,13,14 Although work has shown that there is little difference between leaf types chemically or tribologically (as a powder), 15,16 a layer creation standard should focus on "problem" species as defined by the railway industry. 2 The age and condition of leaves in testing has also varied, with both green 8,10 and brown 14,17,18 used. Both ages of leaves reduced the CoT below that of water, 19 but a brown leaf extract created significantly lower friction than that of the green leaf.…”

“…The age and condition of leaves in testing has also varied, with both green 8,10 and brown 14,17,18 used. Both ages of leaves reduced the CoT below that of water, 19 but a brown leaf extract created significantly lower friction than that of the green leaf.…”