Keywords: earthquake, derailment, damage reduction, vehicle guide device.

A Shinkansen train running at about 200km/h derailed as a result of the Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake in 2004, marking the first derailment ever of a Shinkansen train in service. The authors of this paper, therefore, decided to develop a vehicle guide device after derailment which reduces the damage in the case of derailment by the shake of an earthquake, preventing derailed vehicles from deviating greatly from the track by guiding the derailed wheels. The device can be installed along the track in order that the installation of the device should not affect the operation of the train, or track maintenance work.

The material structure of the device was designed to be economical, with easy installation that would not change the existing track structure, and by adopting general-purpose components. The following performance identification tests were carried out on the device, and the confirmed results were as follows:

1. The device which was assembled as predetermined had the required horizontal strength using a derailment wheel [1] by applying a static load.
2. The device and sleepers to which the device is attached had the sufficient strength to take the vehicle running load, and could operate in conditions that were unfavourable, or on support sleepers in an uneven state.
3. The stability of the track would not be affected by buckling, or damaged by the installation of the device, by adopting numerical analysis of track buckling by the energy method [2] which takes into consideration the rigidity and the axial force of the device.
4. The effect on the signalling systems by the device installation was small and at a negligible level.
5. Track maintenance work using multiple tie tamper would be able to be carried out with both levelling and lining on the track after the device has been installed.

After confirmation that the device had satisfied its basic performance requirements, it has been installed in the Shinkansen operation line to assess its effect on both vehicle and the site, and the long-term effects of the installation. The installation of the device extends over 900m. So far the device has been in a good state, abnormalities have not been found. Since then, the device had been approved for complete, full-scale installation.

1

H. Yanagawa, "The measure of Shinkansen derailment in track", The 210th RTRI monthly exhibition summary, 2008. (in Japanese)

2

T. Miyai, "Numerical Analysis of Track Buckling by Energy Method", Railway Technical Research Report No.1271, RTRI JNR, 1984. (in Japanese)

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