| |
|
|
|
|
 |
Lubrication of wheels and tracks |
 |
evaluated |
 |
|
|
| Lubrication of wheels and tracks by means of on-board devices or special lubricating vehicles aims at reducing wear of rolling stock and infrastructure. Reduced running resistance is a side effect. Lubrication is especially effective in curves.
|
|
|
Technology field: Aerodynamics and friction
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
General information
|
|
|
General criteria
|
|
 |
Environmental criteria
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Impacts on energy efficiency:
|
| |
|
|
|
Energy efficiency potential for single vehicle: < 2% |
| |
|
|
|
Energy efficiency potential throughout fleet: < 1% |
| |
|
|
|
|
According to the All-Russian Railway Research Institute (VNIIZhT), effective lubrication can reduce friction by 10 - 30% depending on curve radius.
Given that mechanical friction usually accounts for less than 10% of total energy demand of trains, lubrication will usually increase energy efficiency by less than 2 %. The effect is somewhat higher on tracks with a high share of curved sections as well as in heavy freight operation.
In view of current lubrication practice in many railways, the future fleet-wide efficiency potential of wheel and track lubrication does not exceed 1%. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Other environmental impacts: ambivalent |
| |
|
|
|
|
To a certain degree, the environmental impact of lubrication in railways is ambivalent. On the one hand, wear is reduced and thus product life is increased. On the other hand, the extensive use of lubricants along the tracks has certain toxic impacts on the environment. |
|
|
Economic criteria
|
|
 |
Application outside railway sector (this technology is railway specific)
|
|
|
Overall rating
|
 date created: 2002-10-09 |
|
|
| |
| © UIC - International Union of Railways 2003 |
| |
|
|
Technologies
go back to technology list
previous technology 
add technology
show overview
show evaluation
show details
print data sheet
print screen
Evaluation briefing
Technology list