Study on Running Safety with Gauge Widening

Gauge widening has been set in order that rolling stock runs safely and smoothly on curved tracks. Recently gauge widening has been reduced due to the change of vehicle structures and track maintenance. The reduction of gauge widening may lead the decrease of steering ability of wheelsets and running safety of vehicles. The purpose of this study is to grasp curving performance and running safety when gauge widening was varied. Stand tests were carried out by a bogie test stand, and the authors concluded that the curving performance can be increased according to gauge widening, but the effect is limited in perfect rolling region, and not so effective for normal setting range.