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Machines
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Research and Application of Rail Vehicle Technology
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Research and Application of Rail Vehicle Technology

A special issue of Machines (ISSN 2075-1702). This special issue belongs to the section "Vehicle Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 10574

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jingsong Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Transportation, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
Interests: rail vehicle system dynamics; vehicle vibration and noise detection and control technology; mode and signal processing technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Kai Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Transportation, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
Interests: rail vehicle system dynamics; vehicle vibration and noise detection and control technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the acceleration of urbanization and the continuous growth of transportation demands, rail vehicle technology, as a crucial component of modern transportation, is facing unprecedented development opportunities. To further promote the research and application of rail vehicle technology, we are hosting the Special Issue entitled "Research and Application of Rail Vehicle Technology". This Special Issue will present research findings and practical experiences from experts, scholars, and industry professionals both domestically and internationally to jointly explore the development trends and frontiers of rail vehicle technology.

This Special Issue seeks original research papers focusing on advances in rail vehicle technology. We welcome papers that offer new research directions and insights. We hope that this Special Issue will be useful and informative to both researchers and practitioners. We also hope to deliver readers promising new ideas and directions for future research.

Research topics that are of interest for this Special Issue include but not limited to the following:

  1. Rail vehicle technology: including vehicle design, material application, dynamic performance and operational safety.
  2. Intelligent rail vehicle technology: including research and application of intelligent rail vehicles such as autonomous driving, intelligent control, fault diagnosis and prediction, and information platforms.
  3. Energy-saving and environmental protection technology for rail vehicles: research and application of green materials, energy-saving technologies, and emission control.
  4. Rail vehicle systems and equipment: research and application of key components such as new braking systems, traction systems, communication systems, and safety systems.
  5. Machine learning for railway vehicles: interpretable and robust machine learning for railway vehicles, encompassing system reliability analysis, diagnosis, prognosis, and health management.

Prof. Dr. Jingsong Zhou
Dr. Kai Zhou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Machines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Publisher’s Notice

At the request of Dr. Yuejian Chen, a member of the original Guest Editor team for the Special Issue “Research and Application of Rail Vehicle Technology”, he will no longer be involved in the editorial handling of the Special Issue as of 10 December 2025. This change has been agreed upon by the remaining Guest Editors and the Editorial Office and this Special issue Website has been updated accordingly. The Special Issue will continue to be handled by the remaining Guest Editors in accordance with MDPI’s Special Issue and editorial policies.

Keywords

  • rail vehicle technology
  • rail vehicle system dynamics
  • vehicle vibration and noise
  • fault diagnosis
  • new braking systems
  • traction systems
  • machine learning

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1583 KB  
Article
Dynamic Modal Evolution of High-Speed Train Car Bodies Under Complex Boundary and Load Conditions: A Field Test Study
by Zhanghui Xia, Baochen Liu and Dao Gong
Machines 2026, 14(3), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines14030324 - 12 Mar 2026
Viewed by 568
Abstract
Stochastic Subspace Identification (SSI) theory offers the distinct advantage of extracting modal parameters directly from operational ambient excitations without requiring artificial force, ensuring completely true boundary conditions and providing extensive field measurement data. In this study, we systematically investigate the operational modal characteristics [...] Read more.
Stochastic Subspace Identification (SSI) theory offers the distinct advantage of extracting modal parameters directly from operational ambient excitations without requiring artificial force, ensuring completely true boundary conditions and providing extensive field measurement data. In this study, we systematically investigate the operational modal characteristics of Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) in the Chinese high-speed railway network under multi-dimensional coupling conditions, including wide speed ranges, axle load perturbations, air spring faults, and coupled operation. The results reveal that while car body modal frequencies remain largely insensitive to operating speed—indicating negligible effects of aerodynamic stiffness—they exhibit distinct sensitivities to mass and boundary variations. Specifically, an increase in axle load induces a significant attenuation (exceeding 5%) in low-order vertical bending frequencies, conforming to the dynamic mass law. Conversely, air spring deflation triggers a sharp increase in boundary stiffness, resulting in a 13.6% surge in torsional modal frequency, which serves as a critical indicator for fault diagnosis. Furthermore, coupled operation is found to primarily enhance system damping. Based on these findings, we establish a “condition-modal” vehicle sensitivity matrix, quantifying dynamic evolution mechanisms under complex boundaries and providing a vital baseline for monitoring the structural health of railway vehicles and conducting intelligent maintenance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Rail Vehicle Technology)
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12 pages, 3570 KB  
Article
Vibration Performance and Vibration Reduction Optimization of Diesel Generator Sets for Diesel Locomotives
by Weiguang Sun and Dao Gong
Machines 2026, 14(2), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines14020234 - 17 Feb 2026
Viewed by 458
Abstract
The power package of high-speed internal combustion units generates complex excitation forces during operation. These forces cause excessive vibration in the driver’s cab, negatively affecting the driver’s working conditions. Therefore, optimizing the isolation system design is essential. This study established a rigid body [...] Read more.
The power package of high-speed internal combustion units generates complex excitation forces during operation. These forces cause excessive vibration in the driver’s cab, negatively affecting the driver’s working conditions. Therefore, optimizing the isolation system design is essential. This study established a rigid body dynamic model of a single-layer isolation system to determine initial stiffness parameters. A refined finite element (FE) model of the diesel locomotive body was also developed to analyze vibration characteristics. Using the global response surface method, multi-objective optimization was performed. The three-dimensional stiffness of the isolator served as the design variable, while the maximum force transmissibility at the vehicle reference point was the optimization objective. The optimization accuracy was verified through FE modeling, experiments, and simulations considering coupled wheel–rail excitations. Results showed that the force transmissibility at the cab’s center floor decreased from 44.05% to 32.65%. Furthermore, the comfort index met the requirements under all working conditions. These findings indicate that the proposed design method effectively improves the efficiency of the power pack isolation system and provides a valuable reference for future designs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Rail Vehicle Technology)
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24 pages, 3961 KB  
Article
A Novel Measurement-Based Computational Method for Real-Time Distribution of Lateral Wheel–Rail Contact Forces
by Nihat Bulduk and Muzaffer Metin
Machines 2025, 13(12), 1105; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13121105 - 28 Nov 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1060
Abstract
This study has developed a novel measurement-based computational method that accurately determines the vertical and lateral wheel–rail contact forces transmitted from railway vehicles to the rails. A major contribution—and the first in the literature—is the analytical distribution of the total lateral wheelset force [...] Read more.
This study has developed a novel measurement-based computational method that accurately determines the vertical and lateral wheel–rail contact forces transmitted from railway vehicles to the rails. A major contribution—and the first in the literature—is the analytical distribution of the total lateral wheelset force into its outer-wheel and inner-wheel components, thereby enabling precise individual evaluation of derailment risk on each wheel in curved tracks. Analytical equations derived from Newton’s second law were first formulated to express both vertical forces and total axle lateral force directly from bogie/axle-box accelerations and suspension reactions. To eliminate the deviations caused by conventional simplifying assumptions (neglect of creep effects, wheel diameter variation, and constant contact geometry), surrogate functions and distribution equations sensitive to curve radius, vehicle speed, and cant deficiency were introduced for the first time and seamlessly integrated into the equations. Validation was performed using the Istanbul Tramway multibody model in SIMPACK 2024x.2, with the equations implemented in MATLAB/Simulink R2024b. Excellent agreement with SIMPACK reference results was achieved on straight tracks and curves, after regression-based calibration of the surrogate functions. Although the method requires an initial regression calibration within a simulation environment, it relies exclusively on measurable parameters, ensuring low cost, full compatibility with existing vehicle sensors, and genuine suitability for real-time monitoring. Consequently, it supports predictive maintenance and proactive safety management while overcoming the practical limitations of instrumented wheelsets and offering a robust, fleet-scalable alternative for the railway industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Rail Vehicle Technology)
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18 pages, 9923 KB  
Article
Vibration Characteristics and Fatigue Performance of Bogie Frame with Inner Axle Box for High-Speed Trains
by Tao Guo, Bingzhi Chen, Yuedong Wang, Guojie Cai, Maorui Hou and Qi Dong
Machines 2025, 13(11), 1056; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13111056 - 14 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1678
Abstract
With the continuous increase in high-speed train operation speeds, lightweight bogie design has become a key means to enhance dynamic performance, which also increases the risk of structural fatigue. High-frequency wheel–rail excitations are transmitted to the bogie frame and couple with its higher-order [...] Read more.
With the continuous increase in high-speed train operation speeds, lightweight bogie design has become a key means to enhance dynamic performance, which also increases the risk of structural fatigue. High-frequency wheel–rail excitations are transmitted to the bogie frame and couple with its higher-order modes at around 200 Hz, inducing local high-frequency resonance. This coupling markedly increases the stress amplitude within the affected frequency range and accelerates vibration-induced fatigue damage. This study investigates the vibration fatigue characteristics of a bogie frame with an inner axle box under high-speed operation and wheel polygon wear conditions. Using a high-speed wheel–rail interaction test rig, dynamic stresses and the vibration acceleration of the bogie frame are measured under different speeds and polygon orders. Based on modal analysis and vibration fatigue methods, a high-frequency vibration fatigue assessment method for the bogie is developed. Wheel polygon significantly amplifies mid-to-high-frequency vibration energy, and for the bogie frame with an inner axle box, pronounced modal coupling is observed at around 200 Hz. In particular, under the 11th-order polygon condition, the equivalent stress at critical locations such as the traction motor seat weld seam exceeds the fatigue limit, while the effect of the 20th-order polygon is relatively mitigated. The proposed vibration fatigue assessment method provides a theoretical basis for the safe design and operational maintenance of high-speed trains with bogie frames with inner axle boxes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Rail Vehicle Technology)
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15 pages, 2070 KB  
Article
Synthesis of Vibration Environment Spectra and Fatigue Assessment for Underfloor Equipment in High-Speed EMU Trains
by Can Chen, Lirong Guo, Guoshun Li, Yongheng Li, Yichao Zhang, Hongwei Zhang and Dao Gong
Machines 2025, 13(7), 628; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13070628 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 797
Abstract
With the continuous development of high-speed electric multiple units (EMUs), vibration issues of vehicles have become increasingly prominent. During operation, the underfloor equipment installed on the carbody is subjected to random multi-point vibrations transmitted from the carbody, inducing significant fatigue damage. This paper [...] Read more.
With the continuous development of high-speed electric multiple units (EMUs), vibration issues of vehicles have become increasingly prominent. During operation, the underfloor equipment installed on the carbody is subjected to random multi-point vibrations transmitted from the carbody, inducing significant fatigue damage. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of multi-channel vibration environment data for various underfloor equipment across different operating speeds obtained through on-site measurements. A spectral synthetic method grounded in statistical principles is then proposed to generate vibration environment spectra for diverse underfloor equipment. Finally, utilizing fatigue analysis in the frequency domain, the fatigue damage to underfloor equipment is assessed under different operational environments. The research results show that the vibration environment spectrum of the underfloor equipment in high-speed EMU trains differs significantly from the vibration spectrum specified in the IEC 61373 standard, especially at high frequencies. Despite this difference in spectral characteristics, the overall vibration energy values of the two spectra are comparable. Additionally, the vibration spectra of different underfloor equipment exhibit variations that can be attributed to their installation positions. As operational speed increases, the fatigue damage to the underfloor equipment exhibits exponential growth. However, the total accumulated fatigue damage remains relatively low, consistently staying below a value of 1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Rail Vehicle Technology)
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16 pages, 2951 KB  
Article
Vibration Fatigue Characteristics of a High-Speed Train Bogie and Traction Motor Based on Field Measurement and Spectrum Synthesis
by Lirong Guo, Guoshun Li, Can Chen, Yichao Zhang, Hongwei Zhang and Dao Gong
Machines 2025, 13(7), 613; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13070613 - 16 Jul 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1461
Abstract
In this study, the fatigue behavior in high-speed train bogie frames and mounted traction motors was investigated through dynamic stress measurements and vibration analysis. A spectrum synthesis method was developed to integrate multipoint random vibrations from the bogie frame into a unified excitation [...] Read more.
In this study, the fatigue behavior in high-speed train bogie frames and mounted traction motors was investigated through dynamic stress measurements and vibration analysis. A spectrum synthesis method was developed to integrate multipoint random vibrations from the bogie frame into a unified excitation spectrum for motor fatigue assessment. The results demonstrate that fatigue damage in the bogie frame progresses linearly with increasing speed, with critical stress concentrations being identified at the motor base weld seams (41.4 MPa equivalent stress at 400 km/h). Traction motor vibration spectra were found to deviate substantially from IEC 61373 standards, leading to higher fatigue damage that follows an exponential growth pattern relative to speed increases. The proposed methodology provides direct experimental validation of component-specific fatigue mechanisms under operational loading conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Rail Vehicle Technology)
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23 pages, 7117 KB  
Article
Effect of Wheel Polygonalization on the Dynamic Characteristics of Gear-Transmission Systems of Urban Railway Vehicles
by Danping Xu, Jinhai Wang, Jianwei Yang, Yi Wu and Xiaorui Wen
Machines 2025, 13(4), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13040323 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1191
Abstract
The gear-transmission system plays a crucial role in power transmission for urban railway vehicles. However, it can experience abnormal meshing conditions due to wheel polygonization, which presents a potential safety hazard for vehicle operations. To address this issue, the present study develops a [...] Read more.
The gear-transmission system plays a crucial role in power transmission for urban railway vehicles. However, it can experience abnormal meshing conditions due to wheel polygonization, which presents a potential safety hazard for vehicle operations. To address this issue, the present study develops a dynamic model of an urban railway vehicle that integrates the gear-transmission system, simulating the effects of wheel polygonization on its dynamic behavior. The simulation results reveal that as the amplitude of wheel polygonization and vehicle speed increase, the vertical wheel–rail force, gear-meshing force, and dynamic transmission error (DTE) escalate. Furthermore, an increase in the order of wheel polygonization leads to a rise in the vertical wheel–rail force. In contrast, the gear-meshing force and DTE exhibit distinct trends at different speeds. At a speed of 20 km/h, these parameters increase by 51.34% and 0.29%, respectively. As the speed increases, the peaks of gear-meshing force and DTE occur at the 7th-order and 3rd-order polygon, respectively, suggesting that the dynamic response of the gear-transmission system becomes more sensitive to lower-order polygon effects at higher speeds, which necessitates greater attention during operation. Additionally, the phase difference of wheel polygonization exerts a significant influence on gear-meshing force under various conditions, such as in-phase, out-of-phase, 60° phase difference, and 120° phase difference. Therefore, in engineering applications, it is essential to consider the phase difference of wheel polygonization to alleviate excessive gear-meshing forces and ensure stable transmission performance. The findings of this paper offer insights into the dynamic evaluation and wheelset re-profiling of gear-transmission systems in urban railway vehicles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Rail Vehicle Technology)
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21 pages, 11416 KB  
Article
Research into the Possibilities of Improving the Adhesion Properties of a Locomotive
by Vadym Ishchuk, Kateryna Kravchenko, Miroslav Blatnický, Alyona Lovska and Ján Dižo
Machines 2025, 13(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13010044 - 10 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2341
Abstract
Locomotives are important vehicles, which serve for towing wagons, i.e., trains. Many factors influence the safe and cost-effective operation of locomotives and trains in general. One of these factors is adhesion at the wheel/rail contact. The adhesion determines how much power the locomotive [...] Read more.
Locomotives are important vehicles, which serve for towing wagons, i.e., trains. Many factors influence the safe and cost-effective operation of locomotives and trains in general. One of these factors is adhesion at the wheel/rail contact. The adhesion determines how much power the locomotive can deliver and how the braking system will ensure that the train stops. The main way to improve adhesion is to use sand at the wheel/rail contact point. The aim of this study is to improve the efficiency of the sand system of the locomotive. For this purpose, a new sand system nozzle mounting design was proposed. The newly proposed sanding system is equipped with a nozzle mounted to the axlebox unlike the original one, which uses the nozzle attached to the bogie frame. To compare the proposed and existing design, simulation calculations were performed in Simpack software 2024.3. For the simulation computation of the locomotive bogie, two types of railway tracks were chosen. A straight track section with two angular frequencies and three amplitudes of track irregularities was created, and a real track section corresponding to several kilometers of track was modeled in the Simpack software. During the simulations, it was determined that the proposed nozzle mounting design has a smaller amplitude of motion, compared to the existing one; therefore, there is a more accurate and efficient operation of the sand system. This in turn has a favorable effect on the adhesion of the wheel with the rail. It was found out that the newly designed sanding system has a significant positive economic effect regarding saving sand. There is no sand loss during sandblasting compared with the original sanding system. This directly relates to saving costs during locomotive operation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Application of Rail Vehicle Technology)
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