Technical performance and ride quality simulations of a prototype cushioning device for revenue service

A simulation study was conducted using the AAR's Train Operation and Energy Simulator (TOES) to evaluate the impact and in-train performance of Miner Enterprises' new cushioning unit design. First, impact simulations were run to establish that the TOES model of the cushioning unit design was reasonable. This was done by comparing the model predictions with measured test data for various impact speeds. Then the model was incorporated for in-train simulations. For in-train simulations, a train consists was run on a revenue service route for the M-921D unit and the Miner unit. For data analysis, car body acceleration, coupler force, unit displacement, and car-to-car velocity were monitored on selected cars in all simulations. These data were filtered and then collected in histogram and burst modes. The Miner unit showed a reduction in acceleration amplitude in buff (negative accelerations) for the unit train.