Wheel-Rail Adhesion
Getting the level of friction right between the wheel and rail is crucial in operating a safe, reliable and
efficient railway:
low levels of wheel rail adhesion commonly as a result of "leaves on the line" results in delays, an increased risk
to passenger safety additional maintenance costs as a result of wheel damage
excessively high levels of wheel rail adhesion (more typically a problem for underground systems) causes wheel
and rail wear rates to increase as well as increasing energy costs and the risk of derailment due to flange climb
The Adhesion Team provides services, solutions and expertise on a wide range of wheel-rail adhesion problems.
Our facilities have a worldwide customer base and the team actively contribute to both UK and international committees
on wheel/rail adhesion issues.
The team has a multidisciplinary background in Tribology, Electrical Systems and Mechanical Engineering and has
completed various high profile projects including:
Skidpan Training - DeltaRail has two tried and tested methods for simulating low adhesion which has been used
extensively in the UK to train railway drivers in the driving techniques to employ when braking in slippery conditions.
Please click here for further details.
Laying Paper Tape for Skid Pan Training
Sanding systems - the team has been heavily involved with the design, testing and industry acceptance of the
various sanding systems now widely used on UK passenger rolling stock
A Trial Sanding Installation
WSPERŽ - DeltaRail's Wheel Slide Protection Evaluation Rig is a tool that can be used for optimising Wheel Slide
Protection (WSP) performance and for post incident investigation. This well established facility is highly regarded in
the industry and is widely used by WSP manufacturers - please click
here for further information on WSPERŽ.
Fundamental research into understanding the mechanisms involved in wheel-rail adhesion. The team has recently worked
with the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), consultancies and universities to understand the bonding of low adhesion
contamination to the railhead.
Development of an Adhesion Management System (AMS), including conceptual design, specification of requirements,
analysis of options and validation through data collection.
Industry Standards and Guidance. Supporting the industry in writing and developing standards for adhesion issues.
Track testing: The low adhesion spray equipment used for skidpan training can also be used to produce low adhesion
conditions for track tests, facilitating the recreating of problems caused by low adhesion, such as WSP faults, sander
performance and odometer performance.
Incident investigation: advising on adhesion conditions in incidents e.g. flange-climbing derailment, for
Signals Passed at Danger and station overruns.
If you would like further information on the Adhesion Team, please contact
sam.richardson@deltarail.com or by phone on +44 (0) 870 190 1568.
