Annual Report 2010
Railway Technical Research InstituteJapan

AnnualReport2010

Railway Technical Research Institute2-8-38 Hikari-cho, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo, 185-8540, Japan
http://www.rtri.or.jp/

Railway Technical Research InstituteJapanAnnual Report 2010

Foreword
A

Hisashi TARUMI
President,
Railway Technical Research Institutegreat earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean

themes and those oriented into the future. Regarding theoffshore in the northeastern section of Japan on Marchcontract-based research and development, we were able to11, 2011, chaotically damaged the Tohoku district of the country

secure more than 500 contracts from customers despite thewith its unprecedented large-magnitude quakes and fiercely-

severe economic conditions. To secure human resources,

repeated tsunamis. I sympathize wholeheartedly with thoseI hired new graduates and mid-career researchers, while

who suffered from such a large-scale disaster. As the railways

positively promoting personnel exchanges with railway

in the area were also seriously destroyed, we concentrated

business promoters to help ensure the continued retention

our efforts to quickly restore the transport network in theof knowledge over time. We also improved our test facilities

northeastern part of the country. We will continue toin 2010 by completing the renewal of the high-speed wheel-promote research and development further to overcome

rail contact fatigue test machine and introducing a large-scale

the disasters caused by hostile natural phenomena.

vibration test machine to simulate earthquake motion. By

Since I took office as President of Railway Technicalutilizing these machines, we obtained valuable research results

Research Institute (RTRI) in April 2009, I have had thein the fields of structures and rolling stock. We applied for 230

implementation of “RESEARCH 2005,” a master plan inpatents, including utility models, in 2010 and now have more

the previous term, completed and drawn up a new version

than 2,200 patents registered. In April 2010, we started the“RESEARCH 2010” as a basis of research activities for the

Railway International Standards Center staffed with members

next five years. I have also strengthened the organization

including those from railway promoters and manufacturers.

to become a public-interest corporation and improved theRegarding international activities, we promoted joint researchresearch environment, while deliberately promoting safety

projects as before with the research organizations in France,

control at workplaces. Furthermore, I positively disseminated

China and Korea, while holding an international workshop on

the information on railway technologies in Japan to overseas

railway noise at Nagahama, Japan in October 2010.

countries and promoted the preparatory work to reinforce

As the railway business income of JR companies has

the organization for international standardization. Increased

substantially dropped, it is thought that we can no longer

emphasis on international issues will contribute to increasing

expect much from their contribution to our operational

business opportunities in overseas countries for domestic

expenditure, which accounts for a lion’s share of the budget.

railway-related industries.

Nevertheless, we will integrate the wisdom and power of ourresolute researchers to cope with this hardship and continue
to contribute to sustainable development of railways as wellwhich has significantly contributed so far to the attainment

as to the social and economic development of the nation.

of the targets proclaimed in various fields. For research andYour continued cooperation and support to RTRI will highly

development, I have promoted activities on basic and practicalbe appreciated.

Foreword

In FY 2010, we started a five-year plan “RESEARCH
2010 – aiming at the sustainable development of railways,”Contents
3

Organization

4

Overview

5

Medium and Long Term Master
Plan – RESEARCH 2010 –9Statement of
Activity Results 2010

27

International Activities

33

Newly Installed andRemodeled Testing Facilities

35

Appendix

Annual Report 2010

Organization
Organization

Vehicle Structure Technology
Division

Planning Division

Administration Division

Vehicle Control Technology
DivisionMiyazaki Test
Center

Structures Technology Division

Accounting Division
Board ofTrustees

Vice
Presidents

Board ofDirectors

ChairmanInformation Management
Division

Health Insurance
Systems Center

President

Research & Development
Promotion DivisionMarketing & Business
Development Division
Railway Technology
Promotion Center
Railway International
Standards Center

Track Technology Division
Disaster Prevention Technology
Division
Signalling & Telecommunications
Technology DivisionInternational Affairs
Division

Executive
Directors

Auditors

Power Supply Technology
Division

Wind Tunnel
Technical CenterTransport Information
Technology Division
Materials Technology Division
Railway Dynamics Division
Environmental Engineering
Division
Human Science Division
Maglev Systems Technology
Division
Yamanashi Maglev
Test Center

Board Members
Position

Trustees
Name

Name

MASADA Eisuke

NAKAJIMA Naotoshi

President

TARUMI Hisashi

SEINO Satoshi

Vice President

INAMI Mitsutoshi

OGATA Masaki

Vice President

UCHIDA Masao

YAMADA Yoshiomi

Executive Director

KUMAGAI Norimichi

NODA Toyonori

Executive Director

ICHIKAWA Atsushi

SASAKI Takayuki

Executive Director

KAWAI Atsushi

NISHIKAWA Naoki

Executive Director

KAKINUMA Hirohiko

MATSUDA Kiyohiro

Executive Director

HAYASHI Yasuo

KARAIKE Kouji

Executive Director

MORIMURA Tsutomu

KOBAYASHI Masaaki

Executive Director

YOSHIE Norihiko

IWATA Sadao

Executive Director

NISHIMAKI Tsuguhiro

SAWADA Jun

Executive Director

AOYAGI Toshihiko

UMEZAKI Hisashi

Executive Director

MIYAZAWA Yukinari

YOSHINO Gentaro

Executive Director

SUDA Yoshihiro

MUKAIDONO Masao

Executive Director

AOKI Mami

ISHIKAWA Hiroki

Executive Director

KUCHINO Shigeru

KOBAYASHI Toshio

Auditor

NAKAMURA Yasuhiro

KAKUMU Masahiro

Auditor

FUJII Hidenori

KAMIJO Kiyofumi(As of March 31, 2011)

Organization

ChairmanKENJU Toshikazu(As of March 31, 2011)

Overview

Overview

Income and Expenditure in FY 2010
IncomeHuman Resources

Expenditure

Miscellaneous 0.64

Miscellaneous 6.78

R & D projects 7.89

Number of employees

499

Number of Ph.D. Degree holders

157

Contribution from
JR companies 12.78

Government
subsidies 0.87

(As of April 1, 2010)

Total
17.03
billion yen

Total
17.56
billion yen

Contract-based
projects 2.73

Contract-based
projects 2.89

Number of Projects
Numbers of Projects in FY 2010
Development of the levitated railway
Projects
Inquiries about contracts
Narrow- Basic research projects
gauge
R & D for the future railways
railways R & D for practical technologies
Basic research for railways
Standards and surveys
Total

Relationship with Organizations in
the Research Fields

34
133
125
14
306

Developmentof practical technologies

R&D for the future of railways

Basic researches for railways

Objectives and Mainstays
of R&D Activities

Improvement of safety

R&D for the Future of Railways

Improvement of
convenience

Annual Report 2010


Cost reduc�on
Cost reduction

Improvementof safety

Creation ofrailway
simulators

Harmony with the environment

Improvement of convenience

Improvement ofsafety/reliabilityof railway systems

Maintaining anddevelopment ofrailway networks

Renovation ofmaintenance work

Use of high efficiency
energyHarmony withthe environment

Annual Report 2010

Medium and Long
Term Master Plan
– RESEARCH 2010 –The master plan, RESEARCH 2010 was produced to describe research and development required for five
years beginning in FY 2010 to effectively promote activities to fulfill our commitment within various circles as a
research institute capable of integrating many railway technologies. The plan is directed towards the sustainable
development of railways, while considering progress in research and development in the past and changes in
the circumstances surrounding the railway industry that have occurred in recent years.

1 Basic Policies and Objectives
In preparing this plan, we adopted basic policies on

for research and development needs and capabilities at

its content in view of the circumstances surrounding

all times to respond to the changes in the internal and

RTRI and railways in Japan as a whole. Regarding theexternal circumstances and make efforts to enhance

management environment of JR companies, changes

the efficiency of our activities based on financial

in their financial contribution and other movements

situations.

outside the organization, we set the term of the plan at

As development needs in the future are quite

five years from FY 2010 to 2014, to account for the fact

uncertain in different countries, we will review thisthat it will take a certain length of time to promote theplan regularly to take into account changes in social“research and development for the future of railways”

and economic conditions in the world.

predict the trend in long-term future needs.

As a guideline to promote research and development
aimed at achieving safe and assured, highly reliable

For RTRI having responsibility to society as arailways, with low environmental impacts and featuring

public-interest corporation, it is important to effectively

low-costs and high-level convenience for customers,

perform its commitment to JR companies and other

we set forth the following as the basic objectives of

stakeholders through publicly disseminating research

RTRI activities.

results to support railway business in the future. To
this end, we shall make efforts to freshen up the targetsof research and development set in the past, such as
the improvement of safety and reliability, developmentof solutions to environmental problems on a global
scale, achievement of harmony with the waysideenvironment, decrease system costs and the pursuitof comfort and convenience of passengers. As a new(1) Creation of new technologies aimed at sustainable
development of railways(2) Quick and correct response to meet customer
needs(3) Timely transmission and dissemination of research
results(4) Continued pursuit of railway technologies andresearch challenge, we shall also aim at improving ouraccumulation of basic technological knowledge

simulation technology and try to expand our core(5) Effective use of this knowledge within the community

competencies. We shall also review the organizationof railway engineers

Medium and Long Term Master Plan – RESEARCH 2010 –as referred to later, though it is difficult to correctlyMedium and Long Term Master Plan – RESEARCH 2010 –Evaluation and measuresof car inside-comfort– RESEARCH2010 – Futu

Vertical camper(FY 2010

Body-end yaw damper

Tilting damper

Evaluation/measures topreserve the waysideenvironment for highspeed operation

Axle damper

Lateral damper● A technique/measure to improve vibration ride
comfort● A technique/measure to reduce noise inside cars
● A technique to evaluate comfort inside cars

Simulation to predictground vibrations● A technique to evaluate aerodynamic noise/
preventive measures● Noise/ground vibration preventive materials

Smoothing the movement
at traffic nodes

Sustainability andDevelopment ofRailway Networks

Construc
Railway Si● Smoothing the movement at and around stations● A diversified technique to evaluate train operation● A technique to evaluate freight traffic
Establishment/evaluationof an environment for seamless movement

A new technology to monitor andmaintain equipment conditions

Innovation of
Maintenance● A technology tomonitor/maintain equipment
conditions● Basic technologies tomonitor equipment conditions
A proposal of anequipment condition
monitoring system

Design/dev
of a railway simulaձ Car, track and trainղ Simulation of the phstructure and whee
ճ A prototype virtual r
մ An integrated air flo
noise simulator
յ A contact wire/panto

A vi

Innovation of the structure renewal technologies
Reinforcing anchor

Floor plate

Pantograph
Turbulence arounda structure ofcomplicated profile

Annual Report 2010

Deteriorated bridgeTechnologies to renew deteriorated
bridges on revenue service lines
Renewal technologies for bridges, viaducts as well as
underground and ground level stations

Truckure-Oriented Subjects

0 – 2014)

Improvement of safety
and reliability withintelligent trains

Slope disaster

Development of aderailment-proof truck

Safety of workers on the track
Construction of an advanced,
independent train safety control
systemAnalysis of car bodydeformation behavior

Raising the safety against
meteorological disasters

Crossing

On board
car sensing

Annual Report 2010

Improvement of the safety against
derailment/collision● Simulation of the local
meteorologicalconditions● A technique toevaluate hazards● A technology ofdisaster/hazard
mapping

Hazard map

Improving the Safety
Real-time hazard mapping
and Reliability ofthe safety against earthquakes
the Railway System ●Raising
A system to predict
An image of the prediction oflarge-scale
earthquake motion
earthquake motion
ction of● Evaluation of thesafety of rolling stock
imulators
running during
High-efficiency
Energy Utilization

earthquakes● Earthquake-proof
technologies/measures

Position of fault

Reduction of car energy consumption

velopment
ator core system

Rotor of induction motorCore Winding

Nano-technology
metallic material

Resin

Conductor

New structure

Low loss Rotator

Lightweight cars made of new materials
High-efficiency car components
Decreases in car aerodynamic resistance
A simulator to evaluate energy consumption

ograph simulator

irtual railway test track

A new power supply system
Track model
Car model
Analysis of three-dimensional
dynamic interaction

Superconducting cable● Application of superconducting
technologies● Use of semiconducting elementsof low loss
● Utilization of natural energy
Simulator of power consumption in train operation
Evaluation of train operation diagrams reflecting
the constraint in power supply

Medium and Long Term Master Plan – RESEARCH 2010 –-set models
henomena betweenelrailway test trackow and aerodynamicMedium and Long Term Master Plan – RESEARCH 2010 –2 Project Activities
2.1 Research and Development•Development of practical technologies performed
based on our own initiatives.

(1) Promotion of Research and Development(a) Targets of research and development(4) Basic research for railways

Amid the increasingly severe surroundings, we set

We believe the basic research for railways will

the following four items as the “targets of research andlead to practical technologies, which are essential todevelopment,” in consideration of the serious accidents/

solve various railway-related problems, and/or will

disasters and difficult economic circumstances in recent

promote further work which we might define as

years, based principally on the targets of research and“analytical research projects“ and “those to explore

development in the past.

further research.”

We further aim at achieving:•Increased level of safety(5) Others•Harmony with the environment(a) Transmission of information•Low-cost railways•Improved convenience for customers

We will positively collect, store and transmit
information on railway technologies in Japan and abroad
and present the results of these research/development(b) Poles of research and development

activities in a timely manner.

Recognizing that we have limited resources, toeffectively promote research and development, we(b) International activities

set the following three items as the “corner stones of

We will positively participate in various international

research and development,” with efforts concentrated

conferences, make efforts to continue to exchange

in particular on the enhancement of the simulation

information on railway technologies with overseas

technology for all the three:researchers, and send staff abroad to survey the status•Research and development for the future ofof the railways and technologies in foreign countries.

railways

We will also promote joint research projects, exchange•Development of practical technologies

researchers, strengthen the cooperative relations with

•Basic research for railways

overseas universities and research institutes and enrich
the information transmitted to other countries.

(2) Research and development for the futureof railways(c) Railway Technology Promotion CenterIn the field of research and development for the

Having a bird’s eye view over the railway industry

future of railways, we promote basic research to betteras a whole, the Railway Technology Promotion Center

understand phenomena and to construct tools fromwill assess the technological needs common to all its

which a “game-changing” breakthrough is expected formember railway companies and solve their problems

research and development. We also promote researchso that they can correctly respond to the expectation

oriented to technological development having a far-of society.

reaching effect after commercialization.
(d) Railway International Standards Center(3) Development of practical technologies

Annual Report 2010

We promote the development of practical

The Railway International Standards Center will
integrate the discussions on wide-ranging international

technologies in the following areas:

standards on railways, thereby contributing to railway•Technological development specified by the sevencompanies as a whole, while positioning the discussions

JR companies (six under-taking passenger transport

on the strategy of international standardization, reviews

services and one devoted to freight transport)of international standards and collection/transmission•Contract-based research and developmentof the information received.

Annual Report 2010

Statement of
Activity Results 2010
1 Test and Research Projects and Major Results of
Research and Development
In FY 2010, we promoted research and development on 306 themes and successfully completed researchon 94 themes. Major Results of the Research and Development are shown here below.

Safety/Reliability(1) Slide control using a new index for slide detection
Index to detect slides by the conventional slide control method• A proposal for a slide control technique to judge

Index to detect slides by the proposed slide control method

From other axles

the status of sliding with a new parameter called“the skid expected time” obtained from speed
information as an index with no additional sensors
or other devices

Axle speed

Reference axle speed

Axle speed

Slide detecting device

Slip rate

Axle speed

Speed difference

Axle speed

Speed difference• High skid prevention performance using the index
even when all wheels are sliding

Command for motion
Anti-skid valve device

Skid expected
time
Brake cylinder(BC) pressure

Fig. 1 Composition of the slide control using a new index

Vehicle speed Proposed method

Deceleration
5.16 km/h/s

Deceleration
5.52 km/h/s

Circumferential
speed

Time

Circumferential
speed
Slip rate threshold value(18%)

Increase of the held PC
pressure

Time

Fig. 2 Results of a field test by the conventional/proposed slide control methods(an increase of about 7% in deceleration when the proposed method is applied to three cars in a seven-car train set.)

Statement of Activity Results 2010

BC pressure

Slip rate threshold value
(18%)

speed

Vehicle speed Conventional method

BC pressure

speed* Deceleration is the value of the actual decelerations(with respect to distance) averaged over test runs.

Statement of Activity Results 2010

(2) A method to physically learn the effect of finger-pointing call
Table 1 Action elements of finger-pointing call, the effect to prevent
human errors and tasks for physical sensation• Verification of the effect of finger pointing
call to prevent human errors in five

Element

categories

Physically sensible effectTasks for physical sensation

Eyes readily turn to the object. Point counting
Finger-pointing• Development of the software to physicallylearn the effect of finger-pointing call to

Callingprevent human errors and an application
method thereof

Action becomes deliberate.

Delayed actions in the“paper-scissors-stone” game

Memory improves.

Memory of colors

The test subject readily
notices errors.

Instantaneous judgment

Finger-pointing call Vigilance holds.

Significantly
effective

Implementation of tasks

Discussions on errors

Vigilant observation of a watch

Results and comments
A little
effectiveNoteffective

Fig. 1 Method of learning physical sensation

Before training

After training

Fig. 2 Recognition of the effect of training by the methodof learning by physical sensation(3) A simple technique to predict earthquake damage

models of the structures distributed along tracks inwide areas to predict earthquake damage• A capability to simply calculate the damage probability
for structures and determine the areas where the(b) Ratio of the period between ground and structure

Annual Report 2010

Damage probability (%)

Ratio of periodstability of running cars decreases

10

Pred

(a) Expected value of ground surface acceleration
Acceleration (gal)• Development of a technique to create simple

Stru

omin

ctur

e eq

ant p

ion

rat

uiva

eriod

lent

of ea

natu

rthqu

ral p

ake

erio

motio

d

n

G

rou

ld
Yie

ace

urf

s
nd

a

nte

i
mic

s

sei

le
cce

l)

(ga

Yield seismic
intensity Khy(c) Yield seismic intensity of structure

ty

nsi

Fig. 1 An example of the curves of structure damage ratio

Kilometer (km): Points of high damage probability

Fig. 2 An example of the extraction of relatively
weak points based on the calculated damage
probability

Annual Report 2010

(4) Analysis of the three-dimensional motion of the contact wire system
and measures to improve its earthquake resisting performance• Simulation of the three-dimensional motion of trolley wires, contact wire metals, poles and other components
to assess the weak points and behavior of system components at earthquake• Manufacture of the reinforced contact wire metals and confirmation of their improved earthquake resisting
performance
Table 1 Targets for different scales of earthquake
Excessive bending
displacement of
AT protective wire

Overheadgrounding wire

Category

AT protective wire

FeederTarget earthquake resistance ofthe contact wire system

Conditions ofearth structure

Medium-scale
earthquake(equivalent to
the earthquake
motion L1)* Prompt resumption of train operation ● The function
remains intact● No breaks of contact wire
without repair● No breaks of contact wire metals
while yielding● No incidents of pantographno excessive
dewirement
displacements.

Large-scale
earthquake(equivalent to
the earthquake
motion L2)* Evasion of the collision between
trains and supports● No collapse of supports● Inevitable damage on the contact
wire system

Movable bracket● The function isquickly
recoverablewith repair.
● The whole
structuresystem does
not collapse.

At earthquake

Pull-off arm

Trolley wire

Excessive displacementof trolley wirePole

Two-point support metals forfeeders and AT protective wires

Component wires
Pole foundation

Fig. 1 An example of the simulation of contact wire threedimensional motion

Improvement ofhanger strength

Fig. 2 Proposed measures to improve the earthquake
resisting performance(5) A technique to diagnose the soundness of earth-retaining walls usinga small vibration generator• Establishment of a technique to vibrate earth-retaining walls with a small vibration generator for soundness
diagnosis based on the Fourier amplitude spectral analysis of acceleration waveforms• Development of a small vibration generator fixed at the crown of earth-retaining walls for excitation

Earth-retaining wall

Vibration sensor
Back-fill soil

Fourier amplitude spectra
Amplitude

Vibration generator

Large area→UnsoundThreshold value
Small area→Sound

Fig. 1 A technique to diagnose the soundness of earth-retaining walls using a vibration generator and vibration sensors

Weight: 8kg
Vibration frequency: 3Hz〜200Hz

Fig. 2 A small vibration generator

Area of Fourier
amplitude spectra

Distortion on
the wallEmergenceof distortion
on the wall With thearea of a Unsoundsound wall
taken asreference

Sound

UnsoundSound

Statement of Activity Results 2010

Frequency

Fig. 3 Soundness diagnosis based on the magnitude of area

11

Statement of Activity Results 2010

(6) A simple method to estimate the natural frequency of viaducts basedon earth noises• Estimation of the elastic natural frequency of viaducts based on the data of earth noises and a proposed
technique to convert it into the equivalent natural frequency• Estimation of the equivalent natural frequency of structures in different sections with high precision and utilizationof the technique for the diagnosis of the earthquake resistance treating each section as a unit

Seismic intensity

Initialrigidity

Initial yield
point

Rigidity atyield
Displacementof the structure
crown

Measurement of
perennial tremors

Fixation

Non-linear analysis

Natural period(sec)
Height(m)Diluvial deposit

Section A

Fig. 2 A technique to estimate the elastic natural
frequency
Diluvial deposit

Normal to soft ground

Elastic natural period(measured value)

Section B

・Natural frequency
・Mode damping ratio
・Profile of vibration mode

Decomposition into
effective vibration
components

Fig. 1 Relation between the elastic and equivalent natural
frequencies

Conversion factor

Assumed filter for the
primary natural vibration mode

Measured wave

Equivalent natural frequency

Elastic natural frequency

Section C

Equivalent natural frequency(estimated value)

Equivalent natural frequency(detailed analytical value)

Section D

Section E

Fig. 3 An application of the technique to estimate the equivalent natural frequency• Quantitative understanding of the effect of reinforcing
upheaved track beds in mountain tunnels with lockbolts through model tests and numerical analyses• Compilation of a practical and easy-to-use manualon the design of reinforcement work for upheaved
tracksRatio µ of the heightof upheaved track bed(7) A technique to design the reinforcement for upheaved track beds inmountain tunnels
1 = With the non-reinforced track bed taken as unity
With respect to thenumber of lock bolts

With respect to thebolt lengths

Effective

Effective

2 pieces 4 pieces 6 pieces

12

Height of theupheaval of
track bed

Groundstrength

Annual Report 2010

Reinforced

5m

7m

Fig. 1 An example of the verification of the effect of thereinforcement work (track bed lock bolts)

Height of upheaval u(mm)

Not reinforced

3m

Not reinforced
4 pieces, length 5 m

1 m intervals inthe direction of track

Requirement level
Measured

Predicted

Implementationof reinforcement
work
0year

20years

40years

60years

0.5 m intervals inthe direction of track
Expressed withthe decrease instrength

Number of years of use

Fig. 2 Effect of the reinforcement work verified based on anumerical analysis techniqueFig. 3 Dimensions of reinforcement work determined basedon a numerical analysis techniqueAnnual Report 2010

(8) A reasonable method to support the decision-making for slope disasterprevention measures based on risk evaluation• Establishment of a technique to evaluate slope disaster risks due to earth-flow and falling stones• Reasonable decision of the priority and a method to apply disaster prevention measures based on theevaluation resultsSlopeconditions(height, etc.)

Calculation of the expected frequency of occurrence for each eventm/h)Probability

Probability Probabilityof theCost of
Operating Operating Cost of theof the timeof theoccurrence emergency
loss due loss due to damage
zone ofoccurrence of damage rehabilitation to collapse regulations on rollingto rolling
operation of collapse stock,stock, etc.
etc.

ll (m

Judgmentof whether
regulatedor not.

Continuous

Calculation of the cost for each eventainfaExpected
frequencyof rainfallsyrCalculation of the scale of collapse

rainfall (mm)HourlCalculation
items

Operatingprofitprobability of occurrenceof collapse (%)

Time zones
Regulatory
RainfallInput
for trainvalues forconditions conditions train operation
operation（example of probabilityof occurrence of collapse）

Disaster risk due to earth-flow

Fig. 1 A flow chart to calculate the earth-flow disaster

Risk reducing effect

Low

Low

Degree of the risk
due to collapse
OperatingprofitDisaster risk

Slope A

Slope B Slope C

Small

Medium

Large

Large

Medium

Small

Low

High

MediumCost to effectSlope A Slope B Slope C

Measure I(for the source ofoccurrence)

Magnitude of disaster risk

High
Disaster risk

Disaster risk

High

Low

Disaster risk
Measure ① Measure ② Measure ③

Measure IV(sensors)

Measure Measures MeasureI
II + IIIIV

Measure II(for intermediateareas)
Measure III(for the track-side
belt zones)

Measure Measure Measure
①
②
③

High

Cost to effect= Risk reducing effect/ Cost of the measure

Fig. 2 A comparison of present disaster risks

Effect to
reduce risks
Cost ofmeasures
Cost toeffectLarge

MediumLarge

Medium

Small
Small

Low

High

MediumFig. 3 Effect of the measure to reduce disaster risks(measures against falling stone)(9) Two failure point locating devices for AC feeding circuits
Track impedance• Development of two failure point locating devices ofRatio of section lengths

different principles for AC feeding circuits• Confirmation of the fact that the errors in theTrolley wiremeasurement obtained by the surge detection type

Failure point

failure point locating device are one-fifth or less thanRail

those obtained by conventional devices

Feeding wire

• Confirmation of the fact that the errors in the

The difference in the AT voltage (VnTF, Vn+1TF) is equivalent to thedifference between the products of the distance from the failure
point and the AT current (InTF, In+1TF) at the two circuit ends.

measurement obtained by the differential voltage
type failure point locating device are one-third or lessPoint Surge
A

Failure point
Surge

Point
B

Locates the failure point by measuring
the difference between the surge voltage
arriving times at the two circuit ends
(approximately at the velocity of light).

Fig. 1 Principle of the surge detection type
failure point locating method

Power dispatcher

To locate the failure point,
each device sends thevalues of voltage andcurrent measured
Remote control
synchronously by referring
deviceto the GPS signal at each
GPS (forsynchronization) substation post to theelectric power dispatcher,Electricity
whereas the precisions ofwaveform
synchronization at 0.1 µs
sampling
and 0.1 ms are required
terminal
for the surge detection
type and the differential
voltage type, respectively.

Telecommunication circuit (trunk line)
Remote control
deviceRemote control
deviceElectricity
waveform
sampling
terminal

Electricity
waveform
sampling
terminal

Fig. 3 Composition of a failure point locating device(common to the two types)

Statement of Activity Results 2010

Fig. 2 Principle of the differential voltage type failure point
locating methodthan those obtained by conventional devices

13

Statement of Activity Results 2010(10) A technique to analyze the mechanical performance of the switch andlock system
Signal link

• Construction of a model to estimate the switching

Escape crankload without performing measurement tests andTongue rail

Switchingload

confirmation of the possibility to calculate it with

Floor
plate

reasonable precision• Estimation of the switching load at the design stage
to enable efficient development of switch and lockThrowing force of an electric
switching device

systems

Switch adjuster

Fig. 1 A switch and lock system and the switching load
Escapecrank

Switchingload

Measured

Measured averageswitching load

Calculated

SwitchadjusterBase plateandfrictional force

Switching load

Signal link
Modeling of the motion
accompanying contact
and separation
Legend: Spring

Calculated averageswitching load

Switching starting point

Tonguerail
DamperThrow bar stroke

Fig. 2 A model to analyze the mechanical performanceFig. 3 A comparison of simulation results andmeasurements

Economy/Efficiency(1) A technique to predict the pressure waves generated in small tunnelshaped structures and their preventive measures• Construction of a numerical model to predict the pressure waves generated in small tunnel-shaped
structures• Confirmation of the effect of the buffering work to reduce pressure waves(1)

Waves at entry

Positivepressure

TunnelTrain(2)Open end passing waves

Negativepressure(3)
Waves at exit

(5)

Measurements are values
after correction at Ω = 2π.

Open end passing waves

Positive pressure

Negative pressureWith buffering
work (tests)

Approx. 50%

Measurement
at siteWith burring
work (tests)

Train
Pressure fluctuations
at passage

Fig. 1 Passing waves and pressure fields
in a short structure

14

Maximum pressure

Annual Report 2010

(4)

Fig. 2 Analysis of the pressure distribution of the waves passing in ashort structure (with buffering work at both ends, red: positive
pressure, blue negative pressure)

Train speed

Fig. 3 The effect of the buffering work to reduce pressure waves (acomparison between the measured values and those obtained
through model tests)

Annual Report 2010(2) Methods to reinforce and repair balustrades using high-ductility cement
boards• Development of the methods to reinforce and repair deteriorated Reinforced Concrete (RC) and blockbalustrades• Confirmation of the effect of the methods of repair and reinforcement through life-size specimen tests andcreation of a guideline for the design and implementation of the reinforcement

Maximum strength

Raising
Through-bolt

Load

Existingbalustrade

Design load

MortarHigh-ductility
cement board(thickness: 8 mm)

Displacement at the loading point (mm)AnchorFig. 1 An outline of the reinforcement

Fig. 2 Verification of the effect of reinforcement(3) A rail-profiling grindstone to depress the generation of marks causedby grinding and improve the refilling efficiency• Development of a new rail profiling stone having a
new binder and two types of larger abrasive grains
Abrasive grainof appropriate proportions• Confirmation of the fact that the developed stone

Binderdepress the generation of marks caused by grinding

Air hole

and exhibits high profiling efficiency

Fig. 1 A sketch of the grindstone

New grindstone

Train speed
Fig. 2 Level of rolling noise after profiling

Developed grindstone
Ground volume

A decreaseof approx.
5 dB

Grinding speed:
an increase of approx. 23%

Existing grindstone
Difference in height before
and after profilingFig. 3 Capabilities of the new and existing grindstones

Statement of Activity Results 2010

Noise level

Existing grindstone15• A proposal of a technique to control power storage devices to cope with both the powering and regenerative
operation of electric cars
• Confirmation of the capability of charging and discharging in succession through simulation

ChargedFullChargedPower storage device

Empty

Full

Empty

Charging

Power charged in
the storing medium

Power storage device

Charging

Discharging

Charge/discharge
current from thestoring medium

Time (s)New method

Conventional method

Percentage of thecharged power (%)• Confirmation of the performance to control power storage devices having electric double layer capacitors

Current (A)Statement of Activity Results 2010

(4) Optimization of the technique to control power storage devices

Fig. 1 An image of the method to control power storage
devicesFig. 2 Results of simulation

Table 1 Specifications of a power storage device

Rated capacity 500 kW (10 sec.)
7.875 F in total,
4.5 F (160 V) per piece,
CapacitanceElectric
8 pieces in series,
double layer
14 lines in parallel(112 pieces)
capacitor
Internal
resistanceRange of voltage
Bidirectional Rated capacity
chopper
Rated voltage DC 1,500 V

Control board

Electric double layer
capacitor board

Fig. 3 A photograph of a power storage device

Comfort/Convenience(1) Understanding the causes of heat cracking on wheel treads and atechnique to determine its occurrence• Reproduction of heat cracking on actual wheel treads mounted on a test machine• Understanding the causes of heat cracking on wheel treads and creation of a chart to judge whether heatcracking has occurred based on the maximum wheel temperature and car deceleration
Tread surface

Axle load:60kN
Wheel/rail
contact area
:120mm2

Annual Report 2010

Rail-wheel contact width

16

Brake shoe contact widthLongitudinal section
Wheel tread
heat cracks

Deceleration of car

Possibly occurs

Occurred in
tests
Does not occur

OccursOccurred onan actual car
Not occurred onan actual car

Threshold line
for the occurrenceof fatigue failure

Threshold line
for the occurrenceof tensile failure

Wheel maximum temperature

Fig.1

Heat cracks on an actual tread (left) and those
reproduced on a tester-mounted tread (right)

Fig. 2 A chart to judge whether tread heat cracking has
occurredAnnual Report 2010

(2) A technique to limit the temperature rises on the surface of brakedisks• Development of the methods to modify the surface layer of disk brakes and install cooling fins to limit
temperature rises• Confirmation of the fact that the temperature of the surface of remodeled brake disks is approximately 10%(90°C) lower than that of conventional brake disks
Heat conductivity 80% improved

Heat transfer rate 40% improved

Fig. 1 A section of a material with thesurface modified

Fig. 2 Results of simulation of a heat fluid (streamlines)

Existing

10% decrease

Remodeled

Initial speed for braking

Fig. 3 Remodeled disk

Existing
Remodeled

Ratio of surface area

Maximum temperature (°C)

Application of surface modificationand installation of cooling fins

Cooling fin

Initial speed for braking
300 km/h

95% Cut

Temperature range (°C)

Fig. 4 Distribution of surface temperature (emergency brake)(3) A failure point detection device for the straight brake command line on
freight-car train sets
• Construction of algorithm to locate the failure points on the straight brake command line of freight-car train
sets and development of a failure point detection device• Confirmation of the capability to locate failure points on actual freight-car train sets in about 30 seconds

Failure point
locating device

Battery

Jumper wire

Car
No.1

Jumper wire
Car
No.2

Jumper wireCar
〜 No.26

Device body

Negative line
Connector

Fig. 1 A failure point detection device

R: Resistance of the electromagnetic valver : Resistance of the command line
Places where judgment of failure is possible

Fig. 2 An example of the electrical network on a freight-car train set

Statement of Activity Results 2010

Brake command
line

17

Statement of Activity Results 2010

(4) An alkali-silica reaction (ASR) inhibiting material using lithiumcontaining zeolite
Cracking due
to ASR• Development of a method to compound a lithiumcontaining alkali absorber (lithium-containing zeolite)that significantly inhibits the alkali-silica reaction of
concrete and manufacture of a prototype crack
injection material

Expansion rate cut to 76%(injection of the newly developed inhibitor)
Expansion rate cut to 65%(injection of the existing inhibitor)

Fig.1 Deterioration due to ASR

No ASR inhibitor

Expansion rate (%)

Crack injection material

Injection of the existing ASR inhibitor

Injection of the developed ASR inhibitor

Number of days after injection

Fig. 2 Effect of the lithium-containing zeolite to inhibit ASR
expansion

Fig. 3 Application of the crack injection material(5) A portable corrugated rail wear monitoring device
Sensor unit
Microphone• Development of a portable corrugatedrail wear monitoring device to enable

Device body
(data recorder + battery)monitoring from a car(car inside noise andjoint detection)

Acceleration sensor• Capability to determine the conditions(car body acceleration)and positions of corrugated wear by(curve detection)measuring noise with the device placedon a car floor

GyroscopeGPS(train speed)MarkerFig. 2 A portable monitoring device

Plane track
profileradiusAnnual Report 2010

Axle box
acceleration

18(extracted
wave length:0.1~0.25m)

Car inside
noise

Section with corrugated wear

Rail joint(extracted
wave length:0.1~0.25m)

Fig. 1 Corrugated wear on a rail top

Fig. 3 Detection of the sections where corrugated rail wear exists

Annual Report 2010

(6) A limited area radio train control system for light-traffic sections• Development of a train control system to replace the electronic block system• Easy replacement with the existing system as large-scale renewal of equipment is not required• Introduction without implementing large-scale changes in the train operation procedures or the concept ofsystem operation
Track circuit Signal Car-mounted device
ATS-X, etc.
Staition

Staition

Station control unit

General-purpose radioin the 2.4 GHz band

Station control unit
Radio antenna(tentatively
installed asignal pole)

Telecommunication line
Central unit

Station control unit
(frame: a logic
processing unit)

Fig. 1 Composition of the limited area radio train control system

Generation of aprotective pattern

Closure of crossing(transmission by radio)

Cancellation of theprotective patternFig. 2 Crossing protecting function

Harmonization with the Environment(1) A high response pressure actuator for tilt control• Development of an actuator to realize high response

Tilting damper circuit

and improve the maximum operating force• Development of an air pressure circuit to generate
a damping force equivalent to that of tilting dampers
and installation of the damper function to thedeveloped actuator to simplify the tilt mechanism

Servo valve(flow control valve)
CylinderCylinder displacement (mm)136 mm equivalent
to tilting angle of 5°
Improvement of
the operating power

High response pneumatic pressure actuator

Improvement ofresponsivenessTargetPressure-proportional control type
Flow-proportional control typeTime (s)Fig. 2 Improvement of responsiveness and operating powerby redesigning the servo values

Elimination of the conventional tilting damper
An example of the composition on a tester
Fig. 3 Simplification of the tilt mechanism

Statement of Activity Results 2010

Fig. 1 The developed high response pneumatic pressure
actuator

19

Statement of Activity Results 2010

(2) A proposed equivalent sensibility curve to reflect the human sensibility
to high-frequency vibration
Noise insulation/absorption wall(with built-in speakers)• A proposed "equivalent sensibility curve" having

Exciter(lateral)higher sensitivity to high-frequency vibration, which

Vibrationtable

is closer to the bodily sensation of passengers for theevaluation of ride comfort on high-speed trains• Confirmation of the fact that low-frequency noise

later

al

has little effect on the evaluation of the vibration on

Exciter(longitudinal)

running trains

Fig. 2 A simulator to evaluate the vibration/noise in thepassenger room

Equivalent sensibility
curve (proposed)

Effective acceleration

Effective acceleration

Equivalent sensibility
curve (existing)Common seatSpecial seat

Lateral vibration

Vertical vibration

Frequency

Frequency

Fig. 1 Test results of the existing and proposed equivalent sensibility curves (proposed and existing)(3) A decision model for the selection of transport facilities considering
the preference of users

for the selection of transportfacilities considering that somepassengers prefer to use only
particular transport means becauseof likes and dislikes• Improvement of the precision inpredicting the trend in demandfor Shinkansen and limited express
trainsAnnual Report 2010

Data on the preference ofpassengers obtained from aquestionnaire survey
Attaches importanceto low fares morethan anything else

Likes/dislikes
railways?

Attaches importanceto punctuality
Attaches importanceto the ease ofcarrying baggage?
Likes/dislikes
high-speed buses?

* Kyushu Shinkansen (Shin-Yatsushiro – Kagoshima-Chuo): Opened in March 2004

Market share of Shinkansen (%)• Development of a decision model

Between Kumamoto andKagoshima cities(distance approx. 170 km)

Recorded

Estimated using Estimated using
the developed
an ordinary
model
model

The estimation with an
ordinary model tends
to give an excessively
large value as eventhe passengers who
think they use only
“automobiles” or“high-speed buses” arethought to select trunk
route railways in casethe travel time by
railway becomesshorter.

Fig. 2 An example of the verification of the precision in estimating market sharefor different transport facilities (for non-business purpose passengers)

ձDoes or does not think to use particulartransport facilities?

Classification ofpassengers
into fourgroupsbased ontheir
preference
data

Uses only
railways
Uses only
automobiles
Uses only
high-speed buses
Selects one from multiple transport
options

Eventually …
Uses trunk
route railways.
Uses
automobiles.
Uses
high-speed
buses.
ղSelects transportmeans by comparing
travel times, fares andcharges.

Fig. 1 An outline of the developed decision model for the selection of transport facilities

20(1) Simulation of passenger vulnerability during a collision of commuter
trainsAnnual Report 2010

Basic Research

Immediately before collision(0ms)• Development of a technique to simulate passenger
motion during a collision of commuter trains• Presentation of techniques and salient points to be

After collision
400ms

observed to improve safety during collisions throughsimulation

Load

Interior fittings(wind screens)
Partial body model(a case of no intermediate
handrails or partitions)

After collision
400ms(with intermediate
partitions)

After collision
400ms(with intermediate
handrails)

Depth ofpenetration

Fig. 1 A collision test with a partial body model and interior fittings(measurements at wind screens)Fig. 2 An example of the analysis of the effect of longseat intermediate hand rails* The circled number indicates the numberof passengers potentially subject to a chest
injury.

(2) Piezo-electric rubber for load and force detection sensors• Development of a method to manufacture piezo-electric rubber having higher performance• Confirmation of the applicability of piezo-electric rubber for load and force detection sensors

Table 1 Performance of piezo-electric rubber

Category

Concentration Modulus of Piezo-electricof piezo-electric elasticity performance
particles{d constant (pC/N)}

Conventional method
Developed method
Piezo-electric ceramics

Voltage

Generated electric charge

Coefficient of correlation

Applied load

Time

Fig. 2 Relation of load versus generated electric charge

Fig. 3 Voltage measured at the sensor during train
passageStatement of Activity Results 2010

Fig. 1 Photograph of piezo-electric rubber21• Development of a technique to measure the contact force between the contact wire and pantographs byimage processing• A technique to measure the contact force realized by the total or partial elimination of pantograph built-in
sensors even in the case where the conventional method is impractical
Precision(measurement/measurement by load cell)Statement of Activity Results 2010

(3) A technique to measure the contact force of pantographs by image
processing

This method requires
multiple measuring wires.

Fig. 1 Photgraph of the measurement devices using the conventional
methodLine CCD camera

Marker2

Time

Effective frequency range

Frequency(a) Estimated precision
Measurements byload cell

Springreaction
Absolute
displacement

Contact force

Marker 2

Relativedisplacement
Marker1

Measurement byimage processing
Measurement by
the conventional method

Image
processing

Marker 1

Contact force

Vertical displacementof markers

Visual fieldof line CCD
cameraPredominant frequency of thecontact force in 300 km/h operation

Time

Time

Inertia
force(b)Time history waveform

Fig. 2 Principle of the contact force measurement by image
processing

Fig. 3 Precision of the technique of contact force
measurement by image processing(4) A technique to experimentally evaluate aerodynamic noise sources bymeasuring the distribution of flow velocity

evaluate the noise levels at the source andmeasuring points by measuring the distribution offlow velocity• Confirmation of the agreement between themeasured sound pressures and those estimated by

Sound pressure measured
with microphone
Sound pressure estimatedby PIVSound pressure power
spectrum density• Development of a technique to experimentally

Agreement of dominantfrequencies
Approximate agreement
betweenvector trends

the new technique

Frequency

Wind direction

High-speed camera

Cylinder(diameter
6.0 mm)Fig. 1 A schematic drawing of a wind tunnel test

22

Dotted lines indicate the aerodynamic
noise sources emerged due to separation

Pantographhead

Strength ofnoise source

Annual Report 2010

Laser light sheet

Vertical direction (mm)Microphone
Conditions of measurement
・Wind velocity : 15m/s
・Time resolution : 5kHz

Fig. 2 A comparison between the Particle Image Velocity(PIV) estimated and measured radiation noises froma cylinder

Flow direction

Fig. 3 Distribution of the dynamic noise sources around thepantograph heads estimated from the measurementof flow velocity distribution

Annual Report 2010(5) Simulation of the large-scale deformation and collapse behavior of theground using the moving particle method• Development of an analytical tool to predict and evaluate the large-scale deformation and collapse behaviorof the ground• Capability to analyze slope collapse at earthquake and avalanches of sand and stone at rainfall

Results of analysis
Flow velocity(m/s)

Slope collapse at earthquake

Slip

Avalanche of sand andstone at rainfall

Seismic
wave

Rise of cut and cover tunnels due to theliquefaction at earthquake

Test results*

Seismic wave

Seepage collapse ofembankment at rainfall* This test was performed under acontract with the Japan Nuclear
Energy Safety Organization.

After 2 hours

Test results After 5 hours

Fig. 1 Simulation of the large-scale deformation and collapse behavior of the ground by the moving particle method(6) A technique to maintain/control ground coils using the Radio Frequency
Identification(RFID) technology• Establishment of a technique to record the information on the maintenance of ground coils in radio frequency

Electro-magnet(1 tesla)
RF tag

An RF tag environmental test in an electromagnetic
field with a rotating test machine

Measured(an average over
58 RF tags)
Calculated

Running speed (km/h)
Fig. 2 Car running speed versus tag reading frequency

Statement of Activity Results 2010

Fig.1

Reading frequency (times)

tags and collect the data with a maintenance car

23

Statement of Activity Results 2010

(7) A small superconducting magnet• Development of a small superconducting magnet using a high-temperature super-conducting material usable
for material analyzers and similar instruments• Confirmation of the magnetizing performance equivalent to that of commercially available magnets

Magnetization by a commerciallyavailable superconducting magnet

Magnetization by the newly
developed small magnet

Equivalentcharacteristics

Fig. 1 A small superconducting magnet(outside diameter of superconducting
bulk 80 mm, inside diameter 50 mm,
10 layers)

Fig. 2 A comparison of the magnetization to a test specimen (diameter
30 mm) and the distribution of magnetic fields between a commerciallyavailable magnet and the newly developed magnet

2 Contract-Based Projects
In FY 2010, we earned income of about 2.89 billionand “Slope surveys” (Japan Railway Construction,

yen against the target of 3.43 billion yen, while accepting

Transport and Technology Agency), “Researches on

537 orders for contract-based projects. Major titles

seismometers” (JR companies) and “Researches onof the contracts include “Surveys and researches ongauge-changeable trains” (a manufacturer in the private

technical standards” (placed by the Ministry of Land,sector). To disseminate research results and secure

Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), “Operation

contract orders, we held meetings on technology

and management of a structure management support

exchanges (about 800 participants in total) andsystem” (a municipal railway), “Tests, surveys andworkshops on technologies seven times with individual

researches related to the projected Shinkansen”

railway operators.

3 Other Projects

Annual Report 2010

3.1 Surveying Projects

3.2 Projects of Technical Standards

We sent RTRI members to Union Internationale desWe promoted the work to draft the standards

Chemins de fer (UIC) to collect information on railways(revision) on the design of steel-concrete composite

in Europe and utilize it for the purpose of research andstructures and surveys/researches on a simple

development. Furthermore, we surveyed the sensing

method to check railway bridges, the extension ofmonitoring technologies in non-railway industrial fields

the life of existing earth-retaining walls and the rollingto watch the development of technologies related todisplacement of car bodies. We also promoted thethe future of railways.

development of design tools related to technicalstandards.

24

associations, the Railway Technology Promotion
Center made efforts to understand their common

We collected the information, publications andmaterials on the railways in Japan and abroad andreleased them through the Internet and document
retrieval services.

Annual Report 2010

3.3 Information Services

technological needs and promoted a number ofactivities.
Regarding the technical support services, the Center

Customers were provided withdealt with 33 inquiries on the subjects submitted by

the whole text of the periodicals issued by RTRI on its

the members, implemented site surveys five times andHome Page. We continued electronic archiving of the

conducted advisory visits twice. To intensify the railmaterials stored in the library, with the accumulated

advisor activities, we now have 32 registered advisors

number of important electronic materials amounting

and made presentations five times at the training sites

to about 61,000 in total.

of local railway associations. The Center organized theLecture by the Railway Technology Promotion Center

3.4 Publications and Lecturesat Sendai, Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka and compiled“Railway Technologies Learnt from Accidents (edition

We issued many reports such as “RTRI Report,”on the contact wire system), a textbook for middle-“RRR,” “QR,” “Railway Technology Avalanche” orclass engineers. We also started work to compile thenewsletters on the latest technologies developed byedition for disasters and preventive measures.

RTRI, “Worldwide Railway Technologies” and other

Regarding the Railway Design Engineer Examination,

periodicals, while holding the annual RTRI Lecture

133 engineers out of 719 applicants passed it in Tokyo

titled “Creation of Technologies for the Future ofand Osaka.

Railways” (427 participants), Monthly Presentation 10

Based on the requirements from the members,

times (1,047 attendants in total) and Workshops on

the Center promoted six survey and research themes,

Railway Technologies 27 times (1,443 attendants).

of which four themes were completed including “thesurvey and research on a new maintenance system.”

3.5 Diagnosis Guidance Services

We also made efforts to transmit information by meansof Home Page and other media to provide members

To respond to the request by railway operators, wewith valuable information. The railway safety databaseoffered technical guidance and implemented consulting

continued to store the information on railway accidents

services 380 times on the theme of the investigation ofand incidents.

the causes of rolling stock accidents and power supply
equipment failures.

As already reported, a great earthquake occurred in
the Pacific Ocean offshore, the northeastern section ofJapan, on March 11, 2011. Taking into consideration the

3.6 Railway Technology Promotion
Centerchaotic ruins caused by the earthquake, we are now
considering exemption of the members who sufferedserious damage at this incident from the membership

While keeping close conjunction and cooperation

fees.

with its member organizations and local railway

4.1 Management

organized the Compliance Promotion Office in July2010 and had the first meeting of the Compliance

In view of the severe financial conditions andPromotion Committee in February 2011. Regarding

decreases in the funding contribution from JR

the labor safety and hygiene, we enhanced the safetycompanies, we made efforts to improve the efficiency

mindedness of the staff and improved the researchof management and drastically cut the expenditureenvironment to achieve a safer and more comfortableaccording to the spirit of the master plan – RESEARCH

workplace.

2010. As a division in charge of compliance, observanceAt the meeting of the board of directors in Marchof decrees and improvement of research ethics, we

2011, it was resolved to reinforce the organization toStatement of Activity Results 2010

4 Administrative Organization25

Statement of Activity Results 2010

guarantee the compliance of the duties of the executive

4.4 Expenditure

members along with laws.
The income from the contribution of JR companies

4.2 Human Resources

recorded an increase of 350 million yen from theamount in the budget but a decrease of 800 million yen

We recruited 18 new graduates and two mid-from the level in FY 2009. Bearing in mind this severe

career employees to avoid technology gaps between

financial situation, we made efforts to save expenditure,generations and preserve the potential for research

while discussing measures to cut costs as a whole.

and development. We also re-employed 11 retiring
researchers, called “silver workers” to smoothlytransfer technologies and skills from veterans to young

4.5 Preparation for the Rebirth as a
Public-Interest Corporation

employees.
As a means of personnel exchange, we temporarily

We obtained the approval of the Ministry of Land,transferred 50 researchers in total to other

Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for the methodorganizations (including 22 to JR companies) andto nominate trustees, recommended candidates for

accepted 89 researchers in return (including 52 fromtrustees by the Board of Trustees and the Board

JR companies). The recipient organizations include theof Directors for the first time and promoted theMinistry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

preparatory procedures to apply for its reorganization(MLITT), Japan Railway Construction, Transport andas a public-interest corporation or a juridical person

Technology Agency, NEDO and UIC, while thefor public interest.

dispatching organizations include MLITT and private
railway companies. Furthermore, seven researchers

4.6 Others

took office as visiting professors by request and 37 as
part-time instructors from different universities.

(1) Industrial Property Rights

We have now 157 doctors, 84 consultant engineers,

We applied for 230 patents and utility models in

17 registered metrological engineers, 17 first-class

FY 2010, (242 patents, etc. in FY 2009). By the end

registered architects and one patent attorney.

of the fiscal year, 165 cases were registered (163 within

We introduced a short-time working system,

FY 2009). As a result, the number of the patents andin order to diversify the working style to take into

utility models in possession reached 2,237 in total atconsideration the work-life balance to harmonize labor

the end of FY 2010.

and household life.
(2) Visitors

4.3 Improvement of Equipment andFacilities

The Kunitachi Head Office Laboratory andthe Maibara Wind Tunnel Technical Center had
approximately 2,200 and 360 guests, respectively, in

We completed the renewal of the high-speed

FY 2010. About 1,700 participants attended the RTRI

wheel-rail contact fatigue testing machine in OctoberTechnical Forum held at the Kunitachi Head Office2010 and completed installation, remodeling andon August 26 and 27. In addition, approximately

renewal work of 14 testing machines and facilities.

3,300 people visited the RTRI open house festival on

As for non-research facilities, we renewed three
testing laboratories for safety reasons and two air

Annual Report 2010

conditioning machines as an energy saving measure.

26

October 9.

Annual Report 2010

International
Activities
1 Joint Research with Overseas Research Organizations
In FY 2010, we promoted joint research projects

November 1995 when the two organizations concludedin three frameworks with overseas railway researchan agreement. Currently being in the course of the 5thorganizations. Each division also implemented joint

term of the agreement, the two organizations held aresearch based on its own will with railways andseminar in April 2010 where the two parties reported

universities in foreign countries.

their research results. Major fields of joint research areinspection of overhead contact wires, ride comfort,

1.1 Joint Research with the China
Academy of Railway Sciences(CARS) and Korea Railroad
Research Institute (KRRI)
The two joint research projects between RTRI

wireless sensor networks and management of researchand development.

1.3 Joint Research with the Railway
Safety and Standards Board(RSSB)and CARS and between RTRI and KRRI have now
developed into one consolidated version called

We concluded an agreement of joint research with

the Japan-China-Korea Joint Research Project

RSSB in October 2008, started activities related to theencompassing the railways in the three countries.

agreement in December 2008 and held a meeting toSince 2001, joint research seminars have been heldreport the results thereof in London in November

in turn by Korea, Japan and China in this order. The

2010. From now on, we will exchange information

10 th seminar was held at KRRI in the suburbs of Seoulon new materials for railways and methods to increasein Korea in September 2010.

the track capacities, with consideration given to the

The research themes in which RTRI is involved arebottlenecks and nodes of railway networks.

surveys and co-ownership of the literature on railways,
sciences and technologies, measurement technologies
for the contact wire/pantograph system, derailment

1.4 Joint Research with Other
Research Organizations

limits of physical quantities at high-speed running,
human factors, adhesion between wheel and rail, EMC

We have concluded an agreement on collaborative

test standardization and methods to use and control

research with the Swiss National Railways, or

testing facilities by plural parties, recover contaminated

Schweizeriche Bundesbahnen (SBB), a railway

soils and investigate microorganisms.

operator, and are implementing joint research in

1.2 Joint Research Agreement with
French National Railways

whom we have concluded collaborative agreements
are Cambridge University, UK (monitoring equipment
conditions), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US

RTRI and French National Railways, or Société(high-temperature super-conducting) and Chalmers

Nationale des Chemins de fer Français (SNCF),

University of Technology, Sweden (calculation of air

have been promoting joint research projects sinceflow).

International Activities

the field of transport information. Universities with27

International Activities

2 Support of WCRR Sessions
The World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR)

research and development issues.

has its origin in the international seminar held by RTRI

We sent executives and researchers to thein 1992 in Tokyo by inviting the leading members

Executive/Organization committee meetings, madein charge of research and development in major

efforts to invite sponsors, encouraged the presentation

railways across the world. It has developed into anof projects, sent more than 40 members (including 34

international conference organization for worldwide

speakers) to the 2010 conference in Lille, France andrailway engineers whose primary concerns are in the

promoted preparatory work for the booth exhibition

research field to meet and exchange information on

by JR group companies.

3 Cooperation with Domestic Organizations
We are in cooperation with the Ministry of Land,

meeting of railway frontline workers held in Beijing by

Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and contributethe governments of Japan and China. In October, weto strengthening relations with overseas railways. For

introduced measures to prevent earthquake damage on

example, we introduced energy-saving technologies inhigh-speed railways in the US. We accepted long-term

Thailand in August. In September, we participated in a

trainees from Brazil and various study tour groups.

4 Collection of Overseas Technical Information
We dispatched researchers to UIC to collectthe UIC international railway research committee held

information on the research and development activities

in Saint-Petersburg, Russia in July and the InnoTransin European railways. Furthermore, we participated2010 in Berlin in September.

in the UIC high-speed railway seminar in Paris in June,

5 International Conference
From October 18 to 22, we sponsored the 10 th

discussions. Major events were 50 oral and 20 poster

International Workshop of Railway Noise (IWRN) at

presentations while 13 technical exhibitions were

Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, where 147 researchersorganized at booths.

gathered from 15 countries to extend heatedAnnual Report 2010

6 Transmission of Information

28

We issued the Newsletter four times and an annual
report of FY 2009 (English version).

Annual Report 2010

7 Overseas Visitors to/from RTRI
Table 1 and Table 2 summarize the number of overseas visitors to/from RTRI, respectively.
Table 1 Number of overseas visitors to RTRI

China
87

Europe
95

Korea
43

North America
9

Others
69

Total
303

Table 2 Number of overseas visitors from RTRI

Conference/meeting
Survey/Research
Joint researchTechnical cooperation
Contract
Miscellaneous
Total

Asia
37
7
22
0
21
10
97

Europe
62
5
17
0
3
16
103

North America
17
1
1
0
4
1
24

Oceania
6
0
0
0
0
0
6

South America
2
0
0
0
0
0
2

Total
124
13
40
0
28
27
232

8 Railway International Standards Center
We organized the Railway International Standards

meeting, the members have discussions on activity plans

Center in April 2010 to continue the activities of theand budgets of income/expenditure, report of activity

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)results, settlement of accounts, entrance/withdrawal/TC 9 (Electric Facilities and Systems of Railways) as aof members and other important issues related tonational reviewing body, took over the duties of thethe administration/management of the Center. To

secretariats that are performed by the organizations

establish close communications with the members,

managing the railway standards of the International

the Center has a member liaison meeting more thanStandardization organization (ISO) and started theonce every year to positively exchange opinions withactivities of ISO/TC 17 (Steel) /SC 15 (Rails andthe members.

Auxiliaries) as a national reviewing body. To reflect the

The planning/management consulting meeting andneeds of the members in the activities of the Center,the settlement of accounts in FY 2010 are as follows.

we performed a questionnaire survey, had meetings toensure close communications among different divisions
and held a meeting to plan strategies for international
standardization.
Furthermore, we collected information through thelinkage with those related to railways in other countries(1) Planning/Management Consulting Meeting
We had the planning/management consulting
meeting in May 2010 and February 2011, where themembers had discussions on the report of activities in
FY 2009 and the plan for activities in FY 2011.

and opened a homepage for information transmission
to members and overseas countries. As of the end of(2) Settlement of Accounts

FY 2010, we have 83 members participating comparedIn FY 2010, we had an income of approximately 264

with only 38 in number when the home page was

million yen, including 86 million yen (membership fees),

installed.

4 million yen (subsidies), 130 million yen (contribution

8.1 Administration and Managementfrom the general account, or a carry-over fromFY 2009). We spent approximately 91 million yen for

To smoothly promote the activities of the Railway

operation, 22 million yen as traveling expenses and 107

International Standards Center, we have a planning/

million yen for personnel expenses, amounting to 220

management consulting meeting twice or more eachmillion yen in total.

year with representatives of the members. At thisInternational Activities

by JR companies) and 44 million yen (appropriation

29

International Activities(3) Number of Members
As of the end of FY 2010, we have 83 member

participated in the discussions of ISO Standard for the
first time (four delegates participated from Japan).

enterprises, compared with only 38 in number in April

We also made efforts to collect the information on

2010 when the Railway International Standards Center

the railway-related ISO standards other than those

was organized.

of ISO/TC 17/SC 15 in conjunction with the national
reviewing bodies in the respective fields.

(4) Members Liaison Meeting
We held the member liaising meeting in May
2010 and February 2011, where we reported theproceedings at the planning/management meeting and

8.3 Discussions on the Strategies
for International Standardizationin the Field of Railways

exchanged opinions with members.
We discussed how to promote the international

8.2 Review of IEC and ISO Standards
The Railway International Standards Center is now

standardization in the field of railways.
(1) Collection of Opinions on the Strategies

acting as a national reviewing body for the International

To assess the needs of the members for the Railway

Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) /TC 9 (ElectricInternational Standards Center and the compilation

Facilities and Systems of Railways) and the Internationalof international standards, we implemented aStandardization organization (ISO) /TC 17 (Steel) /SC

questionnaire survey. We utilized the results of the

15 (Rails and Auxiliaries).

survey as the basic input for discussions at the member
liaison meetings among different divisions and for those(1) IEC/TC 9 Activities

to plan strategies for international standardization.

We held an IEC/TC 9 National Committee meetingin June 2010, October 2010 and February 2011 tohave discussions on how to deal with approximately
30 standard-compilation projects.
The 50 th IEC/TC 9 Annual Plenary Session was(2) Discussions on the Issues Proposed fromJapan(a) Opening of Liaising Meetings for the Membersof Different Divisions

held at Shanghai China on October 26 to 29, 2010, in

We held liaison meetings for members of nine

which seven delegates (including four from the Railway

different divisions (rolling stock, car electric components,

International Standards Center) participated from Japan.

parts, power, contact wires, signals, station facilities,

Regarding the proposal from Japan on the international

tracks and JR companies) and exchanged information

standard for wireless train operation control, it wason the needs to develop international standards anddecided that Japan would submit formal documents tothe trends in Europe in each field.

start discussions. The session also resolved to have the2010 annual session in November in Japan.

Annual Report 2010

In regard to the standard reviewing activities, we30(b) Opening of Strategy Planning Meetings forInternational Standardization

had more than 70 meetings of the ISO/TC 17/SC,

In August 2010 and February 2011, we held strategy

15 domestic working group and sent about 100

planning meetings for international standardization,

researchers from the Center and other divisions towhere it was decided to create concrete strategies

international conferences.

and road maps for each field.

(2) ISO Activities(3) Discussions on the Organization of a

In May 2010, the role of the ISO/TC 17/SC 15
national reviewing body was transferred to RTRI fromthe Japan Railway Civil Engineering Association.
As the ISO/TC 7 general assembly and the SC 15
meeting were held in Beijing, China on September 7
to 9, 2010, the Railway International Standards Center

Railway Technical Committee in ISO
Regarding the issue of organizing a railway technicalcommittee in ISO, it was agreed that we shall havefurther discussions to compare the needs, merits anddemerits of the issue.

Railway International Standards Center to the relatedorganizations in overseas countries.

Annual Report 2010

8.4 Proposals on Domestic Standardization
We supported proposals to formulate four JIS
standards corresponding to different international
standards. Effective utilization of JIS in the country
will guarantee the quality and safety of products
and facilitate the export of Japan-made products to

8.7 Improvement of the Recognitionof International Standardization
and Outstanding Personnel
Achievement

overseas countries.
(1) Opening of Seminars

8.5 Collection, Analysis and Proposals
of Information

We prepared and summarized various referencematerials for international standardization, opened anumber of seminars and disseminated basic knowledge(1) Collection of Information

and recent movements of railway technologies.

To collect the information on the progress ofstandard development in the US and Europe, wesurveyed the following.

(2) Commendation for Standardization Activities
As a means to recognize outstanding work in• Surveys of related standards

international standardization activities, we selected• Translation of important standards into Japaneseand recommended candidates for the prize forstandardization activities by the Ministry of Economy,(2) Overseas Transmission
We translated the following into English as a means

Trade and Industry and the commendation by the
Railway Technology Standardization Survey/Review

to transmit the railway technologies in Japan.

Committee sponsored by the Ministry of Land,• Japanese technical criteria (Ministerial ordinances

Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Two people

and criteria for interpretation) (under a contract with

were awarded with a prize by the Director, Industry,

the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTechnology and Environment Bureau, Ministry of

Tourism)

Economy, Trade and Industry, one person won• Design standards for railway structures andexplanations (earthquake-resistant design)

the IEC 1906 prize and 10 persons won a prize
presented by the Railway Technology Standardization
Survey/Review Committee for those who contributed(3) Support of the Publication of International

to standardization activities. We contributed to theStandards in Japanesehuman resource recognition, in that the awardees

We translated into Japanese the EMC

were selected from those related to railways in the(electromagnetic compatibility) standards (IEC 62236

country.

- 1~5 Ed. 2) prescribing the limit and resistance against
the spurious waves emitted from railway systems
and published a Japanese version from the JapaneseStandards Association.

8.6 Overseas Transmission ofJapanese Railway Technical
Information

8.8 Strengthening the Cooperation
with Those Related to Railways
in Overseas Countries(1) Cooperation with Railway Standard-Related
People in Europe
In September 2010, members from RTRI visited the

To transmit the Japanese railway technical(CEN)/TC 256 (Railways) to exchange information.

information related to international standardization,

A Railway System WG was jointly organized by thewe opened a homepage in English, through which

Commité Européen de Normalization Électrotechnique

we introduced the status of the discussions on(CENELEC) and CEN on the occasion when theinternational standards in Japan. We also compiled

Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC)-

an English brochure to explain the activities of the

CENELEC-CEN information exchange meeting was

International Activities

chairman of the Commité Européen de Normalization

31

International Activities

held in Tokyo on November 24 to 26, 2010, where

we agreed to continue exchanging information on

we actively exchanged information with five visiting

international standards further.

members from Europe.

In December 2010, we visited the Chairman, TC
9 National Committee, Singapore, to confirm the(2) Cooperation with Railway Standard-Related

cooperative relationship between Japan and Singapore.

People in Asia

We also visited Malaysian Railways, Thailand Railways

On the occasion of the ISO/TC 17 general assemblyand Korea Railway Research Institute for the sameand an SC 15 meeting held in Beijing in September 2010,

purpose. We will strengthen the cooperative

we exchanged information with the China Academy ofrelationship with the railways in Asia by taking advantage

Railway Sciences and the China Academy of Railwayof the relationships with these organizations.

Economics Planning. With these two organizations,

Seminars held by RTRI on International Standardization

Annual Report 2010

Title
Contents
Dates
Seminar on the standards to protect Movements in the US and Europe on the fire prevention
November 2010
rolling stock from firestandards
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
Training using EMC standards with translation into Japanese December 2010
standards
Guidance to and Introduction of the status of the discussions
Seminar on international standards on the international standards (contracted with the Ministry January 2011of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
Introduction of international
Seminar to introduce international standards
February 2011
standards

32

We remodeled three laboratory machines/facilities

2010 and performed installation, remodeling andto improve safety and renewed two air conditioners

renewal work of 14 testing machines. Highlights of theto save energy.

work carried out on the more important machines are

We completed the renewal work of the high-speed

Annual Report 2010

Newly Installed
and Remodeled
Testing Facilities
outlined below.

wheel-rail contact fatigue testing machine in October

1 High-Speed Wheel-Rail Contact Fatigue Testing
Machine (Fig. 1)
We installed the high-speed wheel-rail contact

shelling occurrence can be related to the presence of

fatigue testing machine in FY 1987, with a principal

liquids, water or oil is provided by spraying the contact

purpose to investigate the mechanism of shelling crack

point while the machine is rotating.

occurrence on rails, which posed a
serious problem for the Tokaido

Wheel-motor

Hydraulic unit

and San-yo Shinkansen railways,
and establish effective preventive

Thrust load
applying unit

measures against this phenomenon. To

Radial load
applying unit

reproduce the dynamic environment
between wheel and rail, this machine
was developed to conduct rolling tests
while controlling the wheel load,lateral thrust, tangential force and theslip rate between wheel and rail. To

Rail-wheel motor
Bearing lubricating unit

between wheel and rail as close toactuality as possible, it is possible toset different attack/rail tilt angles. As

Fig. 1 High-speed wheel-rail contact fatigue testing machine

2 Renewal of the Wheel-Set Y/Q Calibrating Machine(Fig. 2)This machine is used to calibrate the output

the distortion of the base was thought to be a cause

sensitivity of the strain gauge circuits on both wheelsof the decrease in the precision. Therefore, we fixed

instrumented by applying vertical wheel load, laterala surface plate, 5,000 × 4,000 × 250 mm in size,pressure and tangential force to measure the Y/Q value.

as a base on the concrete foundation, on which we

The conventional unit was renewed as its precision

installed a gantry structure (height 2,600 mm, pole-decreased over time (20 years).

center distance 3,000 mm) to bear the reaction of

Whereas the conventional unit was installed on awelded-structure frame placed on the ground floor,

calibration load).

Newly Installed and Remodeled Testing Facilities

reproduce the conditions of contact

The wheel load (maximum 98 kN) is applied with33

Newly Installed and Remodeled Testing Facilities

jacks between the backs of the wheels in the samemanner as before.
Using the two gantry support poles, this machine
can also calibrate the couplers used to measure theforce of automatic couplers, up to the maximum(a) A scene of wheel-set calibration(b) A scene of coupler calibration

Fig. 2 Wheel-set Y/Q calibrating machine

calibration loads of 980 kN (compression) and 490 kN(tension). When fixed with a jig of appropriate profileon the surface plate, it can also be used to calibrate

hydraulic jacks fixed at the gantry from the top of thenormal automatic couplers, tight lock type automatic

two wheels. To improve the precision of the loading

couplers for Shinkansen and narrow-gauge railways

points, the wheel-set support table is guided beneathand semi-permanent type couplers for narrow-gauge

the gantry with a linear guide installed on the surface

railways.

plate. The hydraulic jacks on the left and right sides slide

The measurement of Y/Q value is an effectivein the direction of axle through handle manipulation tomeasure to evaluate the running stability of cars andfacilitate minor adjustment of track gauge and wheel

investigate the phenomenon of derailment. We will

load applying points on the wheel treads. The lateralutilize this machine to improve the precision of thepressure (maximum 98 kN) is applied with hydraulicevaluation/investigation of these phenomena.

3 Installation of a Shinkansen Turnout for Switching
Tests (Fig. 3)
We are now promoting research to develop a mechanical model
to design/evaluate switch and lock devices. As the characteristics ofthe object devices differ from unit to unit, however, it was difficult
to develop a universal model. Therefore, we installed a No. 18
Shinkansen turnout for switching tests. As it shall be used forresearch purposes, we performed the installation work at highElectric switch machine
and locking device

precision, with the escape crank and other components fixed
in a manner so that the system components can be changed.
As a result, it is possible to correctly evaluate the influence ofeach component on the switching motion, thereby ensuring highprecision of the mechanical model.

Fig. 3 A Shinkansen Turnout for switching tests

4 Installation of an Intermediate Frequency Magnetic
Field Coil System for Exposure of Specimens to
a Composite Magnetic Field (Fig. 4)
An example of the combination
with the existing composite
magnetic field exposure system

Using a rolling stock main inverter, this coilsystem generates a 2 kHz magnetic field to expose

Annual Report 2010

biological specimens thereto. When it is added to34

anotherexisting composite magnetic field exposuresystem, biological specimens can be exposed to
2 kHzmagnetic
field
generatingcoilmagnetic fields, static, ultralow frequency (50 Hz,
60 Hz, etc.) and intermediate frequency (2 kHz), eachat a magnetic flux density of 0.5 to 1.0 mT (equivalent(a) Newly installed coil(b) An example of the combination with acomposite magnetic field exposure system

Fig. 4 An intermediate frequency magnetic field coil system for exposure of specimens to acomposite magnetic fieldto or dozens of times the magnetic flux density in thenormal environment) simultaneously, thereby enabling
the evaluation of the composite effect.

1 Publications

Annual Report 2010

Appendix(1) RTRI ReportVol. No.

Appendix

TitlesSpecial Features: Railway Dynamics
REVIEW: Recent Trend of Research on Railway Dynamics
PAPERS: Fundamental Study on the Remoto Vibration Measuring System for Evaluating Rock Slope Stability
PAPERS: Analytical Study on Impact Factor of Reinforced Concrete Rigid-Frame ViaductVol. 24 PAPERS: Load Transmission Characteristic to the Ballast Layer Focused on the Deformation Mode of the Sleeper
No. 4
PAPERS: Experimental Investigation of Friction Coefficient between Steel Wheel and Concrete Slab(Apr. 2010) PAPERS: Effect of Axle Load on Adhesion Coefficient between Wheel and Rail under Wet Conditions
PAPERS: Test for Performance of 2nd Suspension of Vehicle in Large Vibration
PAPERS: Dynamic Characteristics Control of Pantographs Using Variable Stiffness Springs
PAPERS: Aerodynamic Noise Reduction of a Pantograph by Relaxation of Interference between Pantograph Members and by the
Surface Covering with Porous Material
Special Features: Disaster Prevention Technology
REVIEW: Recent State of Research and Development on Disaster Prevention Technology
PAPERS: Development of an on-board Earthquake Early Warning Receiving Unit using Satellite Broadcasting
PAPERS: Evaluation of Earthquake Ground Motion Equipped with Probability of its Occurrence Based on the Seismic Hazard Analysis
Vol. 24
PAPERS: A Method to Predict the Change of the Water Level and to Evaluate the Stability of the Slope Surface Layer Considering the Topography
No. 5
PAPERS: Experimental Evaluation of Earth Pressure of Weathering Layer Act on Protection Work for Cutting Slope(May 2010)
PAPERS: A Method to Detect Strong Wind Sections Along Railway Lines by Using Numerical Simulations
PAPERS: Development of Snowplow Shape Suitable for Heavy Snow Area
OTHER PAPERS: Drainage Continuation of Acid Water Containing Toxic Metal from Mudstone Rock Muck Disposal Site
OTHER PAPERS: Influence of Hydraulic Conductivity Distribution of Sandy Ground on Groundwater Flow
Special Features: Vehicle Technology
REVIEW: Recent Research and Development on Improvement in Ride Comfort
PAPERS: Improving the Rigidity of Railway Vehicle Carbodies Using Ceiling Frames and Rails for Hand Straps
PAPERS: A Hardware-in-the-loop Simulation System Duplicating the Actual Running Condition of the Train Consisting of Multiple Cars
Vol. 24
PAPERS: Suppression of Vertical Vibration of Railway Vehicles by Damping Control of Secondary Vertical Oil Damper
No. 6
PAPERS: Analysis of Loss Reduction Effect of Space Provided in Induction Motor Rotor Slots(Jun. 2010)
PAPERS: Evaluation of Crack Propagation Property on the Wheelseat of Hollow Axles with Adjoining Fitting Seats
PAPERS: Method for Decreasing Stress and Noise by Modifying Shape of Wheel Plate
PAPERS: Development of Re-adhesion Control Method Considering Axle-weight Transfer of Electric Locomotive
PAPERS: The Analysis of the Adhesion Characteristics on Train Set by Monitoring Date of the Service Train
Special Features: Foundation Design Technology
REVIEW: Recent Trends on Railway Foundation Design Technology
PAPERS: Relationships Between Angular Rotation of Railway Structures and Type of Structures,Foundations After the Earthquake
PAPERS: Estimation of Deformation Modulus of Ground and Coefficient of Subgrade Reaction Depending on Ground Investigation MethodVol. 24
PAPERS: A Method of Evaluating Compressive Strength for Cast-In-Place Concrete Focused on Drilling Fluid Density
No. 7
PAPERS: An Evaluation Model of Residual Settlement of a Structure with Spread Foundation by Means of a Distributed Spring Model(Jul. 2010)
PAPERS: Estimation of Coefficient of Vertical Subgrade Reaction of Pile Based on Database of Load Test
PAPERS: Seismic p-y Model of Pile Foundation Taking into Account Soil Non-linearity
REVIEWS: A Trial Design of Spread Foundations Applying a New Design Code and a Comparative Design between the New and Current Design CodeREVIEWS: A Trial Design of Pile Foundations Applying a New Design Code and a Comparative Design between the New and Current Design CodeSpecial Features: Materials Technology
REVIEW: Recent Trend of Research and Development on Materials for Railway
PAPERS: Evaluation of Durability on Cement Based Repair Materials
PAPERS: Method of Alkali Contents Measurement by Acid Dissolution
Vol. 24 PAPERS: Mechanism of Corrosion of Reinforcement in the Vicinity of the Patch Repair Area of Concrete
No. 8
PAPERS: Development of Detecting System of Fatigue Crack in Steel Railway Bridge Using Electric Conductive Surface Material(Aug. 2010) PAPERS: Development of Grinding Stones Improving Efficiency of Rail Grinding
PAPERS: Experimental Reproduction and Generation Conditions of Wheel Tread Thermal Cracks
PAPERS: A Method for Detecting Non-metallic Inclusions under the Raceway of Axle Bearing by Ultrasonic Testing
PAPERS: Application of Nanocomposites to Floor Sheet for Railway Vehicle
RESEARCH REPORT: Investigation of Advanced Welding Technology for Railway Vehicles
Special Features: Environmental Technology
REVIEW: Recent Studies on Environmental Technology
PAPERS: Investigation of Radiation Characteristics of the Noise from a Rail
PAPERS: Method of Prediction for Structure-Borne Noise Radiated from Railway Concrete ViaductVol. 24 PAPERS: Measurement of Unsteady Flow Field and Estimation of Sound Source in Wind Tunnel Tests
No. 9
PAPERS: A Theoretical Model on Micro-pressure Wave Emission Considering the Effects of Geography around a Tunnel Portal(Sep. 2010) PAPERS: Interior Explosive Sound Caused When a Train Encounters a Compression Wave Inside a Tunnel
PAPERS: Screening of the Allelopathic Potential in Herbaceous Plants to Suppress the Growth of Weeds on a Bank
PAPERS: Development of a Biosensor for the Detection of Underground Water Pollutions
PAPERS: Correlation between Customers' Views on Hygiene Environment and the Concentration of Airborne Microorganisms in the Railway Stations
OTHER PAPER: Numerical Simulation of Flow around an Embankment under Side Wind

35

Appendix
Annual Report 2010

Vol. No.

36

TitlesSpecial Features: Transport Information Technology
REVIEW: Recent Research and Development on Transport Information Technologies
PAPERS: Methods of Railway Transportation Planning Based on Day-to-day passengers' Demand
PAPERS: Development of the Flexible Seat Class Assignment Method Based on Demand Estimation
PAPERS: Freight Locomotive Rescheduling Algorithm under Disordered Train Operation
Vol. 24 PAPERS: Development of an Algorithm for Allocation of a Railway Crew Depot
No. 10 PAPERS: An Approach for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Railway Freight Transport in the Reduction of Logistics Cost & Carbon(Oct. 2010)
Dioxide(CO2) Emissions
PAPERS: Algorithm for Designing Energy-efficient Wireless Sensor Networks
PAPERS: The Development of the Monitoring System for Railway Infrastructures with the Aim to Assist the Inspection in the
Ordinary Time and after the Event of Disasters
PAPERS: Store-carry-forward Date Collecting Network Using Intermittent Link with Trains
PAPERS: Development of Mobile Broadband Laser Communication System for Railways
Special Features: Human Factors
REVIEW: Applications of Simulation Technology for Human Scientific Approach in Railway
PAPERS: Method to Support Risk Management of Human Error in the Track Maintenance Work
PAPERS: Evaluation of a Driver's Behavior on Level Crossing Warning
Vol. 24
PAPERS: Development of Evaluation Method of Psycho-physiological State Based on CEM of Uttered VoiceNo. 11
PAPERS: An Approach to Improving Fitness of Driver's Desks in Commuter Trains for Wider Range of Body Size
(Nov. 2010)
PAPERS: Evaluation of Easiness to Hold a Strap in an Instant
PAPERS: Estimation Method of Sitting Quality of Railway Passenger Seats for Long Time Riding
PAPERS: Evaluation Method of Noise inside Railway Vehicles Closely Related with Unpleasant Feelings of Human
OTHER PAPER: Methodology for Risk Assessment of Railway Based on Seismic Analysis Model
Special Features: Track Technology
REVIEW: Current Status of Standards in Japanese and International Standards in Track Technology
PAPERS: A Evaluation of Practical Performance of Improved Glued-Insulated Railjoint
PAPERS: Functional Evaluation of Collar Part of Fastening of Aged Slab Track
Vol. 24 PAPERS: Evaluation of Deterioration Cause of Track-Slab in Cold Districts
No. 12 PAPERS: Assessment of Aseismic Performance of Ballasted Track for Large-Scale Shaking Table Test
(Dec. 2010) PAPERS: Estimation Method of Lateral Ballast Resistance of Ballasted Track Damaged by Earthquake
PAPERS: Monitoring Method for Rail Corrugation by On-board Measurement
PAPERS: Development of a Model for Analyzing the Propagation of Transverse Cracking of Rail
PAPERS: The Dynamic Response and the Residual Deformation of Ballast Layer under Cyclic Impact Loadings
RESEARCH REPORT: Measures and Evaluation by Track for Decreasing Environmental Vibration in Shinkansen
Special Features: Vehicle Technology
REVIEW: Recent Trend of Brake System Technology for Railway Vehicles
PAPERS: Development of Displacement-Dependent Rubber Bush to Reduce Carbody Vibration Induced by Mass-Imbalanced
Wheelsets through Traction Links
PAPERS: Influence of Passengers on the Vibration Suppression Performance of Primary Damping Control System of Railway Vehicles
Vol. 25
PAPERS: Improvement of Response Performance of Pneumatic Servo System for Tilting Control
No. 1
PAPERS: Search Method of Wheel/Rail Contact by Three Dimensions(Jan. 2011)
PAPERS: Numerical Analysis of Wheel/Rail Contact Characteristics Based on Actual Wheel Profiles
PAPERS: Lord Estimation of Axle-box Rolling Bearings from Wheel Loads and Lateral Forces
PAPERS: Development of Train Simulator for Diesel-hybrid Railway Vehicles
PAPERS: Development of a New Skid Control Method Using a New Detection Algorithm
RESEARCH REPORT: Historical Documents of Structure Gauge and Rolling Stock Gauge around a Platform
Special Features: Structures Technology
REVIEW: Recent Research Trend on Structural Technology
PAPERS: Method of Priority Judgment of the Seismic Countermeasure Based on Life Cycle Cost
PAPERS: Evaluation Method for Load-carrying Capacity of Incompletely-grouted PC Girders with Broken TendonsVol. 25 PAPERS: Development of the Reinforcement Method for the Beams of Existing RC Rigid-Frame Viaducts Using Arch Shaped Steel Plates
No. 2
PAPERS: The Evaluation of Earthquke-resistance and Reinforcement Method of the Steel Bridge of Old Type Adopting the Pivot Bearings(Feb. 2011) PAPERS: Seismic Retrofitting Effects of Reinforcement of Over-Track Building with Knee Brace Dampers
PAPERS: An Evaluation Method of a Seismic Performance of Pier Structure Deeply Embedded in the Soil
PAPERS: Evaluation Method of Seismic Performance of Provisionally Restored Embankments Reinforced by Reinforcement Bars like Skewers
PAPERS: Fundamental Study on the Evaluation Method of Mechanical Stability of Rock Blocks by Remote Vibration Measurement
PAPERS: Guideline for Selection of Seismic Countermeasures for Existing Mountain Tunnels in Poor Geological Conditions
Special Features: Maglev Technology and its Application
REVIEW: R&D of Superconducting Maglev and Applications of its Technology to Conventional Railway System
PAPERS: Cold Storage Experiments of Rare Earth HTS Magnet
PAPERS: Cryocooler-free Superconducting Magnet System Using High-temperature Superconducting Wire Based on Rare Earth
Barium Copper Oxide
Vol. 25 PAPERS: Study on Component of Superconducting Magnet for Maglev Using High-temperature Superconducting Wire Based on
No. 3
Rare Earth Barium Copper Oxide(Mar. 2011) PAPERS: Vehicle Motion Characteristics of a Maglev Train Set
PAPERS: Development of the On-board Maintenance Management System for Ground Coils of Maglev by Using RFID Technology
PAPERS: Roller Rig Dynamic Bench Test of Rail Brake using Linear Induction Motor
PAPERS: Development of Flywheel Test Equipment for Flywheel Energy Storage System with Cryo-cooled Superconducting Magnetic Bearings
PAPERS: Electromagnetic Property of Bearingless Motor Based on Electromagnetic Induction
RESEARCH REPORT: Status of High-temperature Superconducting Wires in the World

Vol. No.

Titles• Repair Method for Ballasted Track by Composite Filling Material Consisting of Water Glass and Polymer• Expansion of Application Range of Continuous Welded Rail Integrated with Turnout• Occurrence Conditions and Preventive Methods for Solidification Cracks in Alumino-thermic Welds
Vol.51• An Algorithm for Freight Train Driver Rescheduling in Disruption Situations
No.2• A Method to Evaluate the Economic Burden on Passengers Affected by Rail Transport Disorder(May 2010) • An Approach for Real-time Estimation of Railway Passenger Flow
• Development of Evaluation Method of Risk of Train Driver’s Error with Consideration on Inducement Factors• Development of Evaluation Method of Safety Climate in Work Site
• Fundamental Study on the Effect of High-frequency Vibration in the Vertical and Lateral Directions on Ride Comfort• Carbody-side Strengthening Effects of an Inner Sub-frame Ring Structure• Energy Efficiency Evaluation of Fuel Cells and Batteries Hybrid Railway Test Vehicles• Restraint of the Scoring Phenomenon in Abrasive Blocks Using Control Techniques
Vol.51• The Mechanism behind Seismic Damage to Railway Mountain Tunnels and Assessment of their Aseismic Performance• Modeling the Phase Spectrum Characteristics of Ground Motion Considering Source, Propagation Path and Local Site Effect Amplification
No.3(Aug. 2010) • Passenger Flow Simulation to Evaluate the Degree of Discomfort for Walking in Stations• Reduction of Micro-pressure Wave Emitted from Portal of Side Branch of High-speed Railway Tunnel• Study on Applicability of Rare Earth High-temperature Superconducting Wires to Superconducting Magnet for Maglev System• Numerical Analysis and Evaluation of Electromagnetic Forces in Superconducting Magnetic Bearings and a Non-contact Permanent Magnetic Clutch• Vibration Suppression in Catenary Poles Using Viscoelastic Dampers• Applicability of Rain Flow Method to Fatigue Life Span Estimation of Overhead Contact Wire
• Practical Application of a New Feeding Transformer for AC Electric Railway Substations
Vol.51• Development of New Type Automatic Train Protection ATS-Dx with Permissible Speed Profile Using On-board Database• Application of GPS to Train Control Systems for Secondary Lines
No.4(Nov. 2010) • Risk Evaluation Method for Improvement of Railway Signaling Systems• Upgrading Pantograph Performance Using Variable Stiffness Devices• Aerodynamic Noise Reduction in Pantographs by Shape-smoothing of the Panhead and Its Support and by Use of Porous Material in Surface Coverings• Load Transmission Characteristic to Ballast Layer Focused on Deformation Mode of Sleeper• Hardware-In-the-Loop Simulation System for Duplication of Actual Running Conditions of a Multiple-car Train Consist• Development of Re-adhesion Control Method Considering Axle-weight Transfer of Electric Locomotive• Vertical Vibration Suppression System for Railway Vehicles Based on Primary Suspension Damping Control - System
Development and Vehicle Running Test Results Vol.52• A Method for Evaluating the Stability of Cutting Slope Protection Work Subject to Weathered Layer Earth Pressure
No.1• Method for Detecting Railway Line Sections Exposed to Strong Winds Using Numerical Simulations(Feb. 2011)• Estimation of Ground Resistance Characteristics of Piles used in Different Construction Methods Based on a Load Test Database• Evaluation of Earthquake Ground Motion Together with Probability of Occurrence Based on Seismic Hazard Analysis• Seismic p-y Model of Pile Foundation Taking into Account Soil-Nonlinearity• Recent Trends in Railway Foundation Design Technology

Annual Report 2010(2) Quarterly Report (QR)

(3) Newsletter
No.

Appendix

Titles• Preface• In Pursuit of Future Railway Technologies• RTRI’s New Master Plan (RESEARCH 2010)
No.31• Establishment of the Railway International Standards Center(Jun. 2010) • 4th Phase Final Seminar of the SNCF-RTRI Collaborative Research Programme• 10 th International Workshop on Railway Noise (IWRN10)• Approach to the Geological Survey of Sandy Ground in Consideration of the Stratigraphic Classification• Improving the Reliability of Aluminothermic Welding• Preface• Reviewing RESEARCH 2005
No.32
• Improvement of the Interference Performance of Low-frequency Track Circuits by Simple Code Transmission(Sep. 2010) • A Study on the Practical Application of High Capacity Laser Communication Technology to Railways• Research Regarding New Environmental Load-Reducing Concrete Using Coal Ash by Employing Geopolymer Method• Development of a Silent Steel Railway Bridge• Preface• 10 th China-Japan-Korea Railway Research Technical Meeting
No.33• Development of a Workload Evaluation Scale for Drivers(Dec. 2010) • Development of a Small-Scale Superconducting Magnet Using YBCO High-Temperature Superconducting Wire
• Research on the Prediction and Evaluation Method of Rolling Noise• Mass Production of Low-Cost LREBa2Cu3Oy Bulk Superconductors for Railway Systems Using a Novel Seed in the Batch Process• Preface• IWRN10 (The 10 th International Workshop on Railway Noise)• Co-operative Study with RSSB
No.34
• Activities of RTRI at UIC HIGHSPEED 2010
(Mar. 2011) • A Noise Reduction System Using Piezoelectric Materials• Development of a Train Simulator for Diesel-hybrid Railway Vehicles• Determining Priorities for Seismic Countermeasures on the Basis of Costs and Benefits• Simple Catenary Equipment Offering High Speed Operation and Maintainability

37

Appendix

2 Lectures(1) RTRI Lecture
Special address
Key note address

General address

Tasks and Trends of Computer Simulation - Principle to Application Research and Development for the Future of Railways - Simulation and Integration • Investigation and Control of Rolling Stock Motion• Improvement of the Earthquake Resistance of Railway Structures• Utilization of Information Transmission Technologies• Utilization of Human Relation Technologies• Innovation of Track Technologies• New Energy and Power Storage Technologies(2) Monthly Presentation
Theme
The latest Research and Development Related to Track Technologies
The latest Research and Development Related to Human Sciences
The latest Research and Development Related to Environmental Engineering
Research and Development for the Future of Railways - Highly Reliable/Convenient Railways
Research and Development for the Future of Railways - Environment-Friendly/Low-Cost Railways
The latest Research and Development Related to Rolling Stock Technologies
Research and Development for the Future of Railways
The latest Research and Development Related to Signal/Telecommunication Technologies
The latest Research and Development Related to Structure Technologies
The latest Research and Development Related to Railway Dynamics

Date
April 21, 2010
May 20, 2010
June 17, 2010
July 14, 2010
August 18, 2010
September 24, 2010
October 7, 2010
December 20, 2010
January 17, 2011
February 16, 2011

3 Statistics(1) Record of Recognition
Title
Commendation by the Ministerof Education, Culture, Sports andTechnology

Annual Report 2010

Medal with Purple Ribbon
Commendation by the Minister of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

38

Name of awardee
Category of prize
Fumiaki UEHAN
Prizes for Science and Technologies
Masamichi OGASA and Yoshiteru TAGUCHI Prizes for Science and Technologies
Kenji WATANABEThe Young Scientists’ Prize
Kiminori ASHIYA
Information Technology Promotion
RTRI
Division

Date of reward
April 13, 2010
April 13, 2010
April 13, 2010
April 29, 2010
October 1, 2010

Commendingorganization

Category of prize

Academicsocieties• The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers- A Prize for the Presentation of an Excellent Thesis in the Traffic/Physical Distribution Division- A Prize for Achievements in the Traffic/Physical Distribution Division, a Prize in Commemoration of the Traffic/PhysicalDistribution Division General Assembly (J-RAIL Special Prize)- A Prize to Encourage Research and Development, Environmental Engineering General Symposium• The Japan Society of Civil Engineers- A Prize to Encourage Excellent Presentation, Tunnel Engineering Forum- A Prize for Excellent Presentation, Tunnel Engineering Forum, a Prize to Encourage Theses• A Prize for the Speaker of an Excellent Thesis, The Japan Geotechnical Society• A PE Publisher Prize Nominated by the Editorial Committee, The UK Society of Mechanical Engineers- A Prize of Railway Division- Best Original Paper, George Stephenson Prize• A Prize for Scientific Theses, The Japan Fluid Power System Society• A Prize to Encourage Young Scientists, Reliability Engineering Association of Japan• A Prize for the Presentation of an Excellent Thesis, Industry Application Division, The Institute of Electrical Engineering ofJapan• A Prize for the Best Thesis, International Workshop on Railway Noise (IWRN 10)

Associations

RTRI

Category of prize• A Prize for Invention, National Invention Commendation, Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation• A Prize for Distinguished Services for Prevention of Radio Disturbances, Central Consulting Committee on the Clean Radio
Receiving Environment• A Prize to Encourage Theses, Association of Japan Concrete Institute• A Thesis Prize, Japan Railway Civil Engineering Association• Sakata Commemoration Excellence Prize, Japan Railway Engineers’ Association• A Railway Electrical Technology Prize, Japan Railway Engineering Association• FY 2010 Commendation of the Contributors to Standardization Activities, the Railway Technology Standardization Survey/
Review Committee• Thesis Division Prize, Association of Railway Architects• An Encouragement Prize, Railway Freight Promotion/Encouragement Prize Management Committee
Prizes for Research and Development Achievements• Development of a technique to evaluate Rolling Stock Characteristics through a Hybrid Simulator• Development of a technique to evaluate the Rolling Stock Behavior after Earthquake• A Technique of Comprehensive Prediction for Rolling and Structure-Borne Noise and Evaluation of the Effects ofCountermeasures
Prizes for Service Achievements• Technical Guidance on the Rail Profiling Range• A Contract-base Project on the NATM/Shield Merged Tunneling Method (SENS)• Technical Support of Designing New Stations for the Projected Shinkansen
Prizes for Achievements in Research and Development• Numerical Simulation of the Air Flow around the Cars Subjected to Lateral Winds• Development of a Technique to Judge the Priority of Seismic Damage Preventive Countermeasures for Railway Facilities• A proposal of the Technique to Extend the Lubricant Life for Traction Motor Bearings• Investigation of the Vibration Characteristics of Structural Members against High-Speed Running• Research and Development of a Technique to Evaluate the Digital Broadcast Wave Receiving Quality• Development of a Technique to Evaluate the Soundness of Cut Slope Protection WorkAwards for Service Achievements• Technical Guidance Related to Wireless Disturbances for Signal Equipment• Establishment of Design Standards and Related Tools for Steel Composite Structures• Investigation of the Simultaneous Ground Fault Phenomenon of Cars and Substations• A proposal and Practical Use of a High-Speed Contact Wire System for Shinkansen Revenue Service Sections• Compilation of the Textbooks for Middle-Class Railway Engineers in the Technical Support Services(2) Patents in Possession
Regarding the patents applied for, we do not claim examinationof those with little operability or for which improvements have been
applied for registration.
We also scrutinized the patents in possession with respect to thenecessity of holding or possibility of abandonment. We positively
disclaimed the patents for which 10 years or over have passed after
registration and little operability is expected.
As of FY 2010, the results of the scrutiny are as flows.
Newly registered patents, etc.
Patents: 164, Design patents: 1, Total: 165
Patents of which the rights has expired
Patents: 10

Annual Report 2010

Commendingorganization

Table 1 Domestic Industrial Rights in Possession (As of March 31, 2011)

Category
Registered
Applied forPatent(Examination
applied for)
Subtotal
RegisteredUtility
Applied for
model
Subtotal
Registered
DesignApplied forpatentSubtotal
Registered
Trademark Applied for
Subtotal
Registered
Total
Applied forGrand Total

Independently
owned
528

Jointlyowned
488

Subtotal

763
(421)

431
(230)

1194
(651)

1291
0
0
0
14
0
14
21
0
21
563
763
1326

919
0
0
0
13
0
13
0
0
0
501
431
932

2210
0
0
0
27
0
27
21
0
21
1064
1194
2258

1016

Table 2 Overseas Industrial Rights in Possession (As of March 31, 2011)

Number of Number of the countries
applicationsof registration
Registered
39
98
16
Registered or Registered4
applied forApplied forApplied for
13
Total
56
114
StatusPatents: 109, Design patents: 1, Total: 110
Consequently, we have 2,258 registered industrial property

Appendix

Abandoned patents, etc.

rights (including 21 trademarks). See Tables 1 and 2.
39

Appendix

4 Press Release

Annual Report 2010

April 1, 2010
May 19, 2010
May 21, 2010
May 24, 2010
June 30, 2010
July 1, 2010
August 2, 2010
August 26 and 27, 2010
September 30, 2010
October 1, 2010
October 9, 2010
October 15, 2010
October 18, 2010
October 27, 2010
November 5, 2010
November 22, 2010
March 11, 201140

Inauguration of the Railway International Standards Center
A party held in “Celebration of the Start of the Railway International Standards Center”
Acceptance of the role of the “ISO/TC 17/SC 5 National Reviewing Body”
A meeting held to exchange technologies on LRT
A small superconducting magnet using yttrium-base high-temperature superconducting wire
Organization of the Compliance Promotion Office
A meeting held to exchange technologies on structures (design and construction work)
A technical forum held
A meeting held to exchange survey and diagnosing technologies (signal and telecommunications)
A meeting held to exchange survey and diagnosing technologies (power)
The Hehbeh Festival held
A meeting held to exchange survey and diagnosing technologies (rolling stock)
A meeting held to exchange survey and diagnosing technologies (train operation)
Training held for the experts to diagnose railway structures
A meeting held to exchange technologies in the Kansai district
A meeting held to exchange survey and diagnosing technologies (tracks)
Development of vibration suppression system using variable secondary vertical dampers(FY2010: April 1, 2010 - March 31, 2011)
Copyright© 2011 by Railway Technical Research Institute. All rights reserved.
Published by Norimichi Kumagai, Vice President

Corresponding:International Affairs Division, Railway Technical Research Institute2-8-38, Hikari-cho, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo 185-8540, Japan
URL: http://www.rtri.or.jp/

Annual Report 2010
Railway Technical Research InstituteJapan

AnnualReport2010

Railway Technical Research Institute2-8-38 Hikari-cho, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo, 185-8540, Japan
http://www.rtri.or.jp/

Railway Technical Research InstituteJapan