Skyhook Controller Design for the Lateral and Vertical Suspension of a Railway Trailer

This paper proposes semi-active control strategies aimed at improving the ride quality of a railway trailer by addressing both lateral and vertical motion. The chosen methodology involves the utilization of the combined sky-hook control method, with the assessment of ride quality conducted through numerical simulations on the Konya-Polath high-speed mainline in Turkey. The performance evaluation of the railway trailer encompasses two configurations: One with a passive suspension system and the other with a semi-active suspension system. The numerical simulations demonstrate that the in-corporation of combined lateral and vertical control allows the vehicle to attain a speed of 180 km/h while maintaining the same or even superior levels of ride quality compared to the passive configuration. The simulation results further indicate that the implementation of the semi-active control strategy eliminates the necessity for additional mechanical power to operate the active suspension.

I. Introduction

The development of technology and its adaptation to vehicles cause an increase in competition in transportation. For this reason, it is becoming a necessity to use vehicles that can provide safer and more comfortable travel at high speeds in the field of transportation. Railway vehicles have a great advantage compared to other transportation vehicles with their high passenger and load capacity, providing environmentally friendly transportation [1].