Railway Vehicles

Qualification goals

After completing this module, students will be able to compare the design, construction and structure of various means of rail transport using selected examples. They will be able to investigate and assess the fundamental relationships between rail vehicle technology, modes of operation and means of transport use as well as and interactions with the environment and surroundings. The specific strengths and weaknesses of subsystem solutions for running gear, drive, brakes, body can be evaluated and discussed in the context of user requirements. Through the theoretical as well as practically oriented lecture, the students acquire a transport-related understanding with regard to the common aspects of vehicle technology for the solution of cross-traffic-mode tasks, e.g. with regard to logistical and environmental aspects, among other things, on the basis of design examples. They are able to recognize analogies and to transfer and network knowledge specific to transport modes. In addition, the students are able to describe the basics of computer-aided design of rail vehicles and explain methodical knowledge for the optimization of complex products on the basis of case studies.

Content

  • Fundamentals of rail transport and multimodal transport systems - Chassis and characteristics
  • Power trains (energy source, prime movers, hybrids)
  • braking systems
  • Body construction (car body/interior fittings)
  • Couplings and transitions
  • Electrical equipment

Support