Ride Comfort Improvements in a High-Speed Train with Active Secondary Suspension

A combination of increased vehicle speeds and non-improved railway tracks may have a negative impact on passenger comfort. Active technology can replace the conventional passive solution of the secondary suspension of a rail vehicle in order to maintain good passenger comfort even when vehicle speed is increased and track conditions are inferior. This paper focuses on the benefits of using a so-called Hold-Off-Device (HOD) function in the lateral secondary suspension. On-track tests have been performed with the active secondary suspension concept implemented in a two-car Regina train during the summers of 2007 and 2008. The evaluated measurement results have been very satisfactory and the device will be implemented in long-term tests in service operation. These tests were carried out in the beginning of 2009.