The UIC Train-Track Interaction Sector participated in the International Conference on Train-Track Interaction & Wheel-Rail Interface organised by CARS – China Academy of Railway Science, with the high level support of the Science and Technology Management of China Railway.

The Conference was devoted to examining the current research activities all over the world in Train-Track Interaction. This event included presentations from international experts in wheel-rail profile design and maintenance, train-track dynamics, noise and vibration. Around 200 people attended the Conference held in Beijing from 20 – 22 June. Among others, speakers from China Railway, CARS, TTCI (Transportation Technology Center, USA), National Research Council of Canada and the main Chinese technical Universities were present.

At the opening session Mr Pierre-Etienne Gautier, Director of Innovation at SYSTRA and Chairman of the UIC Train-Track Interaction Sector, presented the role of the sector, highlighted the importance of the projects carried out and the on-going activities (with close links with European research projects) and presented the expectations of the sector for the years to come in terms of new researches and collaborative projects and implementation of research results.

The Train-Track Interaction sector is at the cross point of the Rolling Stock, Track and Structure sectors. Its main mission is to study vehicle/infrastructure interaction in a system approach. Due to its cross-point position between various technical fields, the Train Track Interaction Sector is also an interface between infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, manufacturing industry and regulatory bodies, which may have antagonist interests. Its core mission is to identify the interactions and anticipate the moves to answer the needs and serve the interest of the UIC Members, not only building on European contributions.

Besides the participation of Mr Gautier, several European experts presented some of the main activities developed in the framework of the sector or related UIC projects.

• Mr Björn Paulsson, Senior Advisor and Project Manager at Trafikverket, Sweden, presented the D-Rail project (co-funded by the European Commission through the 7FP 7th Framework Programme). The project aims to reduce the occurrence and impact of freight train derailments in a cost efficient way: http://d-rail-project.eu/
• Mr Wolfgang Zottl, Senior Researcher at ÖBB, Austria, presented the UIC project “HRMS- Harmonisation of Running Behaviour and noise Measurement Sites”. Based on the new knowledge and ongoing work in Europe this project group aimed to develop a methodology of how to identify safety and commercial risks of vehicle running behaviour.
• Mr Yann Bezin, Head of Research at the University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom, presented the on-going research on Railway Turnout Damage Prediction and Design Implications carried out in the European project Capacity4Rail, co-funded under the European Commission’s 7th Framework Programme: http://www.capacity4rail.eu/
• Mr Álvaro Andrés, Infrastructure Advisor within the UIC-Rail System Department, presented the UIC Equivalent Conicity project. This project aimed to validate a calculation and reporting procedure for the determination of track equivalent conicity and analyse the effect of different “track” factors and give recommendations to remain in acceptable values of track equivalent conicity.

During the last session, chaired by Mr Qi Yanhui, Vice Director of Science and Technical Management of China Railway, the participants discussed further ways to enhance collaborative activities and explore potential synergies.

The attendees also had the opportunity to visit the “Modern Railways 2016” Exhibition hosted by China Railways http://www.modernrailways.com.cn/en/. “Modern Railways” has become the No. 1 railway show in Asia, playing an important role in promoting international railway exchanges and cooperation, and offered an ideal platform for railway international enterprises. In addition, the participants visited the CARS-NELHSR National Engineering Laboratory for Systems Test of High-Speed Railway and, moreover, took the High Speed train between Beijing and Tianjin.

The conference provided a unique occasion for a rich and comprehensive exchange of experiences and the participation in lively discussions to gain a better understanding of the complex train-track interaction. Additionally, it opens up the opportunity to develop cooperative researches between the different regions.