Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Transit Vehicle Engineering Tests

摘要

This report presents the results of engineering tests conducted on a married pair of rapid transit cars for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). The tests were performed at the Transportation Test Center, Pueblo, Colorado, from May 1980 through January 1981. The scope of the test program included evaluation of performance, ride quality, and interior and wayside noise using standardized test procedures; special engineering tests were made to evaluate energy conservation methods, three brake configurations, and three vertical damping configurations. Vehicle curving tests were conducted to investigate the behavior of the vehicle on sharply curved track, to determine the effect of certain modifications to the track, and to derive wheel flange wear indices. The tests showed that the vehicles met the acceleration and time to speed specification requirements. The first two brake configurations evaluated failed to meet requirements in any braking mode. The final brake configuration meets braking rate requirements for friction only and emergency modes but falls short of requirements in the dynamic and blended mode above 40 mi/h. Wheel flange wear indices were developed for variations in axle misalignments and primary suspension longitudinal stiffness.