Analysis and Optimization of a New Hi-Rail Design

The concept of Hi-Rail (highway-railway) units permits the normal road trucks to move in railway infrastructure. Hi-Rail vehicles serve different purposes, as well as maintenance, inspection and regular track works, in railway industry. Continental Railworks with more than 20 years of experience in providing Hi-Rail units for the class-1 railway companies in North America is interested in redesign of one of its popular units. Re-evaluation of the structural integrity of the Hi-Rail along with weight reduction of design are the main objectives of this project. Different engineering tools from the hand calculation to the Finite Element Methods and dynamic analysis packages are expected to be utilised for development of this new design. Derailment probability and roll stability of the Hi-Rail trucks have not yet been fully investigated. The road and rail vehicle dynamics experimented in this intern project could contribute to the railway industry by increasing the safety. Optimisation and weight reduction of the unit will also improve considerably the ride quality of the Hi-Rail vehicle and can increase its life span.

Faculty Supervisor:

Waizuddin Ahmed

Student:

Partner:

Continental Railworks Technology Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Concordia University

Program: