The Train-Track Interaction Sector represents the intersection of rolling stock and infrastructure. Its main purpose is to study the interaction and interfaces between the various technical subsystems by means of a systemic and holistic approach. Its activities are aimed at optimising the operational, economic and environmental efficiency of the railway system, ensuring its safety and improving interoperability. The TTI Sector is currently chaired by Pierre-Etienne Gautier, Director of BIM and Digital Twin/Continuity at SNCF Réseau.
A TTI Sector board meeting took place on 7 October via web conference, with participants from ADIF, DB, Network Rail, RFI, RSSB, SNCF and Trafikverket in attendance.
The first session was opened by the TTI Chairman and was devoted to topics such as the approval of the TTI strategy document and the work programme for the next three years, as well as the sector’s subgroups and activities, and preliminary results for 2021 opt-in projects.
The strategy document was approved unanimously. This document sets out not only the work programme, but also guidance for further exchanges, research, standardisation, and cooperation between the TTI and other sectors and departments, the aim being to enhance transparency between UIC and its members.
The plan for migration of UIC leaflets to IRSs for the TTI Sector for the next few years was also ratified. The new IRS 50505-1 (formerly UIC Leaflet 505-1): Railway transport stock - Rolling stock construction gauge, which will include a specific application part for OSJD, is expected to be published in 2020.
Participants also learned of the latest publications from the TTI Subgroup for Aerodynamics and Acoustics: a White Paper on Aerodynamics published in 2019, and a White Paper on Acoustics published this year. Both documents reflect on the current status and key issues, and provide information on proposals for technical projects to conduct research and devise solutions for infrastructure managers (IMs) and railway undertakings (RUs).
It is important to highlight the ongoing collaboration and exchange between the TTI Subgroup for Aerodynamics and Acoustics and the Network Noise and Vibration within UIC’s Fundamental Values department.
Within the Pantograph-Catenary SG, the decision was made to focus more on innovative methods and solutions for monitoring the interaction between the pantograph and overhead lines, which can result in early fault detection.
UIC’s advisors provided information on the preliminary results for the 2021 opt-in projects within this sector: DYNMEASURE, which focuses on dynamic railway measurement systems at the trackside and on board, and G-CODE, which aims to propose a new, harmonised methodology for calculation of the clearance gauge.
The second part of the meeting was entirely devoted to the five projects currently underway. The respective coordinators and technical leaders presented the current situation in relation to each project:
- Y/Q project to assess the effect of train running instabilities on track (presented by Yann Bezin of the University at Huddersfield),
- HARMO-TRACK project, which aims to harmonise data formats and thresholds for track geometry and dynamic measurements (presented by Danilo Sorrentino of SNCF),
- SAFIRST project for sidewind assessment for infrastructure and rolling stock (presented by Terence Johnson of RSSB),
- CROSS-T: a project aimed at ensuring safe train operations when crossing in mixed traffic lines (presented by David Mirayo of UIC RSD),
- AERONOISE project, which focuses on developing an improved noise emission measurement method for high-speed trains (presented by Mercedes Gutiérrez of UIC RSD).
The meeting was closed by the Chairman, Pierre-Etienne Gautier, who thanked the participants for an interesting and efficient meeting.
