An Approach to Wind Blow-Over Risk Reduction at Norfolk Southern Rwy

A paper written for and presented at the ASME 2010 Joint Rail Conference explored the science and methodology that BNSF Railway has taken to avoid wind-caused derailments.¹ This paper further develops this topic with the approach Norfolk Southern Corp (NS) has taken. The foundational fluid flow dynamics and vehicle dynamics modeling and analysis are reviewed. The modeling included doublestack platforms loaded with empty boxes, trailer-on-flatcar (“piggyback”) equipment, high-cube boxcars, hoppers/coal gondolas, and multilevel (“autorack”) flatcars. The implementation of the modeling is outlined as a description of NS’ Speed Restriction System (SRS). The SRS uses real-time weather data and a lookup table of vehicle responses to provide the traffic controller (dispatcher) with recommended train speeds. Thoughts and suggestions on further development of a blowover risk reduction system are presented.