Geometry deviation effects of railway catenaries on pantograph–catenary interaction: a case study in Norwegian Railway System

AbstractThis paper presents a non-contact measurement of the realistic catenary geometry deviation in the Norwegian railway network through a laser rangefinder. The random geometry deviation is included in the catenary model to investigate its effect on the pantograph–catenary interaction. The dispersion of the longitudinal deviation is assumed to follow a Gaussian distribution. A power spectrum density represents the vertical deviation in the contact wire. Based on the Monte Carlo method, several geometry deviation samples are generated and included in the catenary model. A lumped mass pantograph with flexible collectors is employed to reproduce the high-frequency behaviours. The stochastic analysis results indicate that the catenary geometry deviation causes a significant dispersion of the pantograph–catenary interaction response. The contact force standard deviations measured by the inspection vehicle are within the scope of the simulation results. A critical cut-off frequency that covers 1/16 of the dropper interval is suggested to fully describe the effect of the catenary geometry deviation on the contact force. The statistical minimum contact force is recommended to be modified according to the tolerant contact loss rate at high frequency. An unpleasant interaction performance of the pantograph–catenary can be expected at the catenary top speed when the random catenary geometry deviation is included.