Rail Systems: Rolling Stock & Infrastructure

VIRTUAL VEHICLE drives the railway industry forward.

We provide collaborative research on railway technologies by seamlessly integrating virtual prototypes, information extraction, scientific methods, tools and processes on each level of the railway system.

Our partners benefit from the development of established simulation methods and digital tools. We combine know-how on model-based and data-driven approaches, optimising vehicle and infrastructure components. Depending on the scientific question or target component, suitable model-based and data-driven methods are combined and validated in a hybrid approach to achieve the best informative value.

Via developing and using digital technologies, methodologies and tools, we can optimise the behaviour of rail systems, improve vehicle dynamics, and enhance the overall passenger experience. In Rail Systems, VIRTUAL VEHICLE acts at the whole system level.

We think beyond 2040 at system level

Shorten innovation cycles through digitalization
Drive forward research for implementation
Maximize reliability of the rail system through intelligent and reliable algorithms
To contribute to a single European railroad area

Expertise and How We Support Our Customers

Vehicle-Track-Interaction

Holistic research on Vehicle-track-interaction and traction phenomena

Friction Management and wear modelling

Deep Understanding of degradation and damage phenomena to wheel- and rail surfaces and track settlement

Noise and vibrations

Vehicle Dynamics & Operation Analysis

Extensive know-how in Vehicle Dynamics

Holistic system understanding of vehicle and track interaction

Modelling and parameter identification/estimation

Probabilistic design

Monitoring & Diagnosis

Methods development for optimising vehicle and infrastructure components

Model-based and data-driven diagnostic methods Monitoring of vehicle and infrastructure components

Methods development for Predictive Maintenance Applications

Digital Twin Networks

Illustration of system interactions in IT platforms

Executable tool chains

Consistent & integrated data and models

User-specific analysis and forecasting applications

Green Digital Mobility

Rail Systems – Backbone of Green Digital Mobility

At VIRTUAL VEHICLE, our research contributes to a further optimisation of the European rail system via improved understanding of vehicle-track-interaction and vehicle dynamics phenomena. As a result, we aid to maximize the reliability of the rail system through intelligent and reliable algorithms and contribute to the goal of doubling the capacity. Furthermore we positively influenced a faster market uptake, taking virtual validation methods and life cycle costs into account.

In addition to our core expertise, topics such as sensor technology and electrification, ATO, human factors research, and systems for the end-to-end networking of component and process data are becoming increasingly important.

Railway Digital Twin Networks

GRITLAB – Graz Railway Intelligence Tech Lab | 2021

Rail Systems

Applications

Use Cases

References

Strategic Partners