LiCAS passed the test: Reduced wear and lower costs guaranteed!

A consortium consisting of Liebherr-Transportation Systems, NewRail and Grand Central Rail has created an active radial suspension system called LiCAS that has now successfully come through its test phase.

The aim was to show that LiCAS could protect the infrastructure, i.e. that wear of track and wheels can be significantly reduced.

Rail transport operators can thus save money on track fees per kilometer (such as those charged in Switzerland and England) as well as on operating and maintenance costs. The maintenance intervals of wheels can be extended.

A BT10 bogie on a Mark 3 carriage from Grand Central in Great Britain was equipped with the active radius steering system.

During the test runs between Stanhope and Bishop Auckland, the behaviour from tests conducted previously using multi-body simulation models was confirmed. The angle of attack is considerably reduced by LiCAS, even in the narrowest of curves. This means that the risk of rolling contact fatigue is practically eliminated in the relevant curve radius areas. The essential parts of rail switches are also subjected to considerably less loads. The simulation and test results show that, depending on the curve radius, the wear value – Tγ – is reduced by at least 50 % with the active radial suspension system. This means that in addition to protecting the infrastructure, the wheelset maintenance intervals can be extended by up to 30 % and, depending on country, a significant reduction in fees per kilometer travelled can be attained.

The core of LiCAS is a compact, hydraulic actuator that has the same size and shape as a conventional axle steering and can therefore be integrated in many bogies currently in use. In addition, one hydraulic supply unit with integrated electronics per bogie is required for the system.

We will be reporting more on LiCAS in the coming months. For example in a presentation at the 18th International Railway Vehicle Meeting from 22–24 September 2021 in Dresden.