Derailments are costly, cause service disruptions, and create customer dissatisfaction. The single most important way to prevent derailments is to accurately identify derailment cause(s). Today's derailments tend to involve complex interactions between the rail car vehicle, the track and the train operation. Inter-departmental squabbling, lack of investigative skills and time pressures are all detrimental to accurate derailment cause finding.
Rail Sciences is the Leading Independent Consulting Firm specializing in Derailment Investigation.
RSI uses a three-pronged approach to deal with derailments:
Simulation Modeling
On-Site Investigation
Training
Simulation models are a quick and accurate way to determine possible derailment cause. In a standard derailment analysis, Rail Sciences starts with the entire train and calculates the in-train coupler forces on the first derailed car. We then model the performance of that first derailed car, subjected to those in-train forces, over the section of track where the derailment occurred. Rail Sciences uses several longitudinal coupler force analysis programs to determine the in-train forces. We also use VAMPIRE™ to analyze the forces on the derailed vehicle.
On-Site Investigation
Rail Sciences is available to perform on-site investigations. We have a rapid response go-team that can be at the derailment site as quickly as travel arrangements can be made. We also have a complete inventory of the tools and gauges necessary to perform track and car measurements. Our tools include surveying equipment, mechanical gauges and photographic equipment.
Derailment Investigation Training
In addition to derailment investigations, Rail Sciences is actively involved in preventing derailments. One key to derailment prevention is understanding the mechanics of a Derailment and determining the root cause. Rail Sciences has been educating the railroad industry for over 16 years on how to perform effective derailment investigation and how to prevent derailments. Rail Sciences periodically schedules seminars for public attendance. However, we will consider providing sponsored seminars to interested parties. Click here for more information about Rail Sciences' "Derailment Cause Finding and Prevention" Seminar.
