Annual
Report2008

Railway Technical Research InstituteJapan

Hisashi TARUMI
President

Foreword
Back to Basics- A Group of Researchers further Contributing to the Railway Operating Business -I

took up the position of President of RTRI as of April

definition of the new five-year master plan starting

1st, 2009. My duty for the time being is to solvein the next fiscal year. Further, RTRI will continue tothe managerial problems handed down to me from

improve the roadmap. We expect that we shall have tothe previous President's tenure. That is: complete

introduce research results and research methods fromthe current master plan -RESEARCH 2005-, create thefields outside the railway industry. RTRI will promote

next master plan based on the roadmap for R&D, deal

the integration of technology components and basicwith the Public Interest Corporation Reform, promoteresearch.

exchanges with domestic and overseas institutes and

The percentage of staff who have become

organizations, improve the working environment,

members of RTRI as researchers since RTRI wasand advance safety management. Enrichment of theestablished as an independent organization exceeds

division that can contribute to the development of the

70%, that is to say, a group of expert researchers has

railway business overseas, such as the project related

come into being. It is important for the researcher

to international standardization, is also an urgent as-group to "Back to Basics," so as to really understandsignment.

the basis for the establishment of RTRI, to have it

During the fiscal year 2008, RTRI has been able toinherited by the next generation and to deepen themake progress with its projects almost as scheduled,

relationship with the railway business by making use

including several relatively long-term assignments.

of essential experiences accumulated to date. "BackAmong these projects was the development and ap-

to Basics" is my favorite motto, which I chose at theplication of a method of configuring a new signalling

start of 2001 to guide our activities in the 21st century.

system, the development of a method to evaluate theAt RTRI we will change our way of thinking whilecharacteristics of vehicle dynamics by use of a hybrid

continuing to make use of the experience we havesimulator, and the development and evaluation ofgained in the past and aim to build up a researchmeasures taken to protect existing railway facilities fromgroup pursuing the goal of sustainable development

seismic damage. RTRI has also created a roadmap forfor railways.

long-term research projects that will contribute to theContents
Organization

2

Master Plan of RTRI
(RESEARCH 2005)

3

Major Activities in FY 2008

7

Activity Plan for FY 200913

Major Results of Research andDevelopment in FY 2008

17

International Activities

27

Appendix31

Organization

Organization
Organizational Structure
Vehicle Structure Technology
Division

Planning Division

Administration Division

Board ofTrustees
Board ofDirectors

Vice
Presidents

Vehicle Control Technology
DivisionMiyazaki Test
Center

Structures Technology Division
Power Supply Technology
Division

Accounting Division

Track Technology Division
Chairman

Auditors

President

Executive
Directors

Disaster Prevention Technology
Division

Information Management
Division

Health Insurance
Systems Center

International Affairs
DivisionInternational
Standards Center

Signalling & Telecommunications
Technology Division
Transport Information
Technology Division
Materials Technology Division

Research & Development
Promotion Division

Wind Tunnel
Technical Center

Railway Dynamics Division
Environmental Engineering
Division

Marketing & Business
Development Division

Human Science Division
Railway Technology
Promotion Center

Maglev Systems Technology
Division
Yamanashi Maglev
Test Center

Annual Report 2008

Board of Directors

2

Title

Name

Chairman*

Masada Eisuke

President*

Akita Katsuji

Vice President*

Tarumi Hisashi

Vice President*

Inami Mitsutoshi

Executive Director*

Uchida Masao

Executive Director*

Fukushiro Norio

Executive Director*

Kumagai Norimichi

Executive Director

Kakinuma Hirohiko

Executive Director

Ogura Masahiko

Executive Director

Morimura Tsutomu

Executive Director

Azuma Noriaki

Executive Director

Han'i Shinji

Executive Director

Kameyama Toshiro

Executive Director

Sakamoto Tetsuro

Executive Director

Nishida Hiroshi

Executive Director

Suda Yoshihiro

Auditor*Nakamura Yasuhiro

Auditor

Innami Takao

Auditor

Kiguchi Yataro(* Full-time)(as of May 14, 2008)

Income and Expenditure in FY 2008
IncomeExpenditure

Others
6.1 m. $Contribution fromthe JR companies
137.9 m. $State subsidies
9.5 m. $Expenses for
R&D projects
85.7 m. $Others66.1 m. $Total
183.5 m. $Total
185.6 m. $Expenses forcontract-based
projects
31.6 m. $Contract-based
projects
32.0 m. $Human Resources(1 US dollar=100 yen)

Number of Projects
FY 2008

Total Number
Ph. D. Degree Holders

518

Category

127

R&D for the Future ofRailways
Development of Practical
Technologies(as of Apr. 1, 2008)

Basic Research for Railways

Number39
131
86

Standards/Surveys

12

Total

268

Annual Report 2008

Master Planof RTRI(RESEARCH 2005)
RTRI has carried out its R&D activities based on master plans prescribing basic
policy. From FY 1999 to 2004, it operated under the master plan RESEARCH 21.
From FY 2005, RTRI started to operate its R&D activities based on the new fiveyear master plan RESEARCH 2005 formulated in consideration of the progress of
R&D over the previous five years and changes in the circumstances surrounding
railways.

Outline of the Master Plan
1. Backgroundexpected due to a decrease in the production-age
population.

In formulating the master plan, the following background conditions were considered:Competition with other transportation modes isintensifying.
Demand for intermodal transport is increasing

Society and Economy

among railway users.

In the long term, the Japanese economy’s period of
low growth is expected to continue despite the trend

JR Companies and Other Research Organizationsof recovery shown in recent years.

JR companies and other railway operators are actively

The tendency of declining birthrate and the growing
proportion of elderly people will accelerate.

addressing environmental issues.
National universities and government-affiliatedresearch institutes have become independent administrative institutions, enabling a tidal shift in the role of

network society.

R&D in the country.

The global environment is now a matter of primaryconcern among people.

RTRI
A new fundamental policy for R&D on the magneticallyTransportation
A decline in the number of railway passengers islevitated railway system is required.

Master Plan of RTRI (RESEARCH 2005)

Information and telecommunication technologies
are rapidly progressing to form a high-level information3

Master Plan of RTRI (RESEARCH 2005)

2. Fundamental Policy on R&D Activities

3. R&D (Research and Development)

Based on recognition of the current situation and the(1) Basic Concept of R&D

predictions described previously, RTRI established a

RTRI will concentrate its power to promote effective

fundamental policy on R&D activities as follows:

R&D activities. For this purpose, it set up Targets of

1. Create railway technologies for the 21st century.

R&D, which show the directions of R&D activities,

2. Demonstrate integrated power as a group of railway

and Mainstays of R&D, which clarify the fundamental

engineering experts.

categories of R&D (see Fig. 1).

3. Respond quickly to needs.
4. Hand down railway technologies and accumulate
basic expertise.

(2) R&D Plan
[Targets of R&D]

5. Disseminate railway technologies and transmit
railway-related information.

RTRI set up the following Targets of R&D:
1. Highly reliable railways (for safety and stability)
2. Railways with increased convenience (for rapidity,

Based on these policies, RTRI will work hard to live

convenience and riding comfort)

up to the expectations of JR companies and various

3. Low-cost railways (for economy)other industries.

4. Environmentally friendly railways (for harmony withthe environment)[Mainstays of R&D]
RTRI set up the following three Mainstays of R&D inconsideration of the importance of environmental issues, the development of information and telecommuDevelopment of Practical
Technologies

R&D for the Future of Railways

Basic Research for Railways

nication technologies, improvements in the reliability,
convenience and riding comfort of railways, and the
reduction of costs in railway businesses:
1. R&D for the future of railways
2. Development of practical technologies
3. Basic research for railways
In the area of R&D on the magnetically levitated railway
system, RTRI will promote R&D activities mainly toapply the various accumulated technologies and know-

Highly Reliable Railways
Railways with Increased Convenience
Low-Cost Railways

Annual Report 2008

Environmentally Friendly Railways

4

how on superconductive magnets and linear motors toconventional railway systems. It will also conduct R&D
to maintain the Maglev-related technologies required
for this purpose.
(3) R&D for the Future of Railways
RTRI promotes R&D for the future of railways as acollection of transversal study projects to bring about
technological breakthroughs for future railways aimed

Fig.1 Basic Concept of R&D Activities at RTRI

at practical application within five to ten years.

Annual Report 2008

Table 1 R&D Projects for Future Railways

Target of R&D
Project Title
Highly reliable [Improvement of the safety Configuration of a signaling system using the RAMS index and its applicarailwaysof train running]tion
Development of a method of evaluating vehicle dynamic characteristics
using a hybrid simulator[Stable transport]
Seismic evaluation and countermeasures for existing railway facilities
Application of IT and sensing technologies to equipment management
Railways with [Much more convenient Development of a broadband communication technology for railways
increased con- railways]
Efficiency improvements for transport planning based on dynamic demandvenienceestimation[Improvement of riding Development of human simulation technologies to improve safety andcomfort]riding comfort
Low-cost rail- [Reduction of maintenance Development of a model to predict rail failure and ballast track deterioration
ways
costs]and evaluation of maintenance work reduction technologies
Development of an innovative low-maintenance, low-noise track
Environmentally [Noise reduction]
Development of an analytical tool to predict rolling noise and structurefriendly railways
borne noise, and measures for noise reduction[New forms of energy]
Development of fuel cell rolling stock
Application of linear motor technologies to conventional railway systems

The basic concepts set up for the projects are as

RTRI also promotes carefully selected self-directive

follows:

practical R&D projects focusing on the engineering

1. Projects should respond to the needs of JR compa-

field, especially where it has a competitive edge or ad-

nies and social movements.
2. Projects should be pioneering and oriented towardvantages in development, by using its own knowledge,know-how and special or unique test facilities.

future railways.
3. Projects should make full use of research areas(5) Basic Research for Railways

in which RTRI has a competitive edge or specific

RTRI promotes basic investigations to elucidate

characteristics.

railway-inherent phenomena and to establish evalu-

4. Projects should be reflected in the development

ation methods as analytical research; it also promotesof practical technologies or solutions for criticalinvestigations for the application of new technologies

problems with such technologies.

and new materials to railways as probing and introduc-

The 12 assignments for projects set up based on the

tory research. We recognize that this basic research

above concepts, whose research work started in FY

should be conducted to germinate practical railway

2005, are shown in Table 1.

technologies or to serve as a foundation for them,and that such work is essential in solving a variety ofrailway-related problems.

To enable timely response to the diverse requirements

For the magnetically levitated railway system, RTRI

of JR companies, RTRI continuously promotes R&D

promotes the development of durability test and per-projects, as in the past, that are designated individuallyformance evaluation methods for ground coils andby JR companies to solve local or on-site problems andsuperconductive magnets, as well as the necessarythat can be practically applied in the field.

studies on a Maglev riding comfort evaluation method

RTRI promotes contract-based R&D projects, notto maintain the technical ability required for applica-

only with JR companies but also with various corpora-tion to conventional railway systems. RTRI will also

tions, aimed at wide-ranging practical application of theparticipate in running tests on the Yamanashi Test Line

research results.

as a means of fulfilling the above R&D objectives.

Master Plan of RTRI (RESEARCH 2005)(4) Development of Practical Technologies

5Master Plan of RTRI (RESEARCH 2005)

4. Railway Technology Promotion
Center (RTPC)

pays particular attention to the transfer of technology
to the next wave of researchers. RTRI takes every
conceivable measure to adopt and educate its human

RTPC will promote various activities based on the

resources - the most important asset for any researchprinciples outlined below to solve the problems of its

institute.

member corporations by understanding their common technological needs and to assure the reliability(2) Securing and Training of Human Resourcesof railways overall.

RTRI will systematically recruit new graduates mainly

The Center will make efforts to promote its use-in the field of railway-inherent technologies. We will

fulness by providing information, and will make thealso invite experienced researchers who have excellent

necessary proposals to the government so that therecords in other research organizations. RTRI makes

results of its activities will be reflected in government

efforts to secure adequate human resources throughpolicies. RTPC will also organize workshops anda variety of recruiting channels.

opinion exchange meetings to strengthen communica-

In the area of education and training for humantions with members and enhance the transmission of

resources, RTRI will step up personnel exchanges

information.

with railway operators, including JR companies, and

1. Maintenance and Improvement of Technologicalwill develop researchers who are very familiar with

Capabilities

the on-site activities of railways. We also dispatch(by conducting technological support and administer-

our employees to domestic and overseas researching the Railway Design Engineer Examination)organizations and universities to introduce or absorb

2. Systematization of Technologies and Problem

new technologies and research techniques.

Resolution(by providing technical standards, conducting survey(3) Personnel Planand research projects, and carrying out contract-

The number of RTRI employees at the beginning of FY

based projects)

2005 was 520. RTRI continuously recruits employees

3. Technological Information Services

needed for R&D on a priority basis, and plans to(by providing information on technologies, safety andimprove the efficiency of its management during theinternational standards)

period of this master plan to reduce the number of
employees to 510 by the beginning of FY 2009.

5. Management

Annual Report 2008

(4) Equipment Plan

6(1) Basic Concept of Management

RTRI will invest funds in equipment directly related toSeventeen years have elapsed since the privatiza-

R&D activities as a matter of top priority and updatetion of JNR; RTRI is now facing a tide of generation

its test equipment, including the rolling stock test plant,change among researchers. To prevent technologicalwhich represents one of the advantageous features ofgaps between the old and new generations, RTRI

the institute.

Annual Report 2008

Major Activities
in FY 2008
1. Activities Related to Testing and Research
1.1 Test and Research Projects

structural conditions that would degrade the runningsafety of trains were identified by using this method.

RTRI conducted 268 R&D projects in FY2008, 103
of which were completed as scheduled. The following
is an overview of the R&D results according to thethree categories featured in the master plan RESEARCH
2005.

c) Configuration of a signalling system using the RAMS
index and its application- A new signalling system to control a train by exchanging information between the train and wayside
signalling equipment was devised; in addition, infor-

1.1.1 R&D for the Future of Railways
A total of 13 assignments were conducted, including
49 projects related to R&D for the future of railways.

mation necessary for route control and separationof trains was defined, and at the same time a control
procedure was proposed.

Among them, 15 projects were completed in FY 2008.
d) Application of IT and sensing technologies to facility
management(1) Highly Reliable Railwaysa) Development of a method of evaluating vehicle- A data management system to perform transmission,

dynamic characteristics using a hybrid simulator

processing, management, etc., of data from sensors- An inter-car dynamics simulator for simulating the

installed in structures was developed. A prototype

motion of a trainset and a control program wereof the system was manufactured to remotely moni-developed. A simulator for simulating vehicle dy-

tor damage using sensors embedded in bridge piernamics in real time and rolling stock test equipment

foundations.

were combined.
(2) Railways with Increased Convenienceb) Seismic evaluation and countermeasures for existinga) Development of broadband communication technology for railways

railway facilities- A method of predicting earthquake ground move-- A high-speed handover technology involving laser

ments caused by active faults and comprehensively

communications for sequentially switching baseanalyzing the behavior of structures and the runningstations on the ground side was developed. At thesafety of trains was developed. Ground conditions andsame time, a communication rate of 500 Mbps was

Location of sudden change in groundconditions (irregular ground)

Soft ground

Soft surface layer

Bedrock surface

Major Activities in FY 2008

Locations of structural change

Earthquake motion7

Major Activities in FY 2008

confirmed; subsequently, the possibility of achieving

the contact wire in a test with the equipment installed

a target communication rate of 1 Gbps by improving

in a Shinkansen line in commercial service.

the processing performance of terminal devices was
also confirmed.

b) Development of innovative low-maintenance andlow-noise track

Direction of train movement- A trial section of innovative track was constructed fortesting its performance in the Hino Civil Engineering

Optical communications

Testing Facility and the construction method andconstruction accuracy were confirmed. From test
results obtained by a powered maintenance car

AdjustablemirrorHand-over
Maintaining of communications
between a mobile station (train)running at high speed and sequentiallyswitched ground stations

Ground station A

Ground station B

running on the test track, rolling noise emitted fromrails was reduced by 3 to 5 dB in the case of theinnovative track compared with slab track.
c) Development of a model to predict rail failure andballasted track deterioration, and evaluation ofmaintenance work reduction technologiesb) Efficiency improvement for transport planning basedon dynamic demand estimation- A method of predicting the life of rail before theoccurrence of gauge corner head checks was de-- A method of estimating a use time distribution of pas-

veloped, and it was confirmed that the rail life could

sengers for each station from population, company

be roughly predicted by the method based on aand other data around stations was developed.

comparison with an actual phenomenon.

c) Development of human simulation technologies toimprove safety and ride comfort(4) Environmentally Friendly Railwaysa) Development of rolling stock powered by fuel cells- Tests using a train operation simulator for incorporat-- Running tests in RTRI test line were conducted withing error-inducing assignments were conducted witha hybrid configuration in which fuel cells, secondary

actual crew and the effectiveness of letting crew

batteries, and charging/discharging chopper units

recognize the causes of errors was confirmed.

were connected. It was confirmed that the expected
performance, such as a predetermined fuel con-

(3) Low-Cost Railways

sumption and energy efficiency, were obtained.

a) Study on performance improvement and streamlin-

This assignment is scheduled to be conducted froming of maintenance work for the current collection

FY 2005 to FY 2009. However, the possibility of thesystemavailability of fuel cells on a practical scale cannot be- The possibility of reducing variations in the local

guaranteed, and therefore, the project on this topic

contact force in the vicinity of support points wasin the category of “R&D for the future of railways”

confirmed by improving support structures, one such

was terminated in FY 2008 for the time being. And

method being to reduce the amount of draw-out of

we decided to limit the scope of the project tocover the durability of fuel cells and fuel cell supply
methods as one of the fundamental research topics

Rail with new
sectional profile

Rail pressing block

Annual Report 2008

Adjustable padfrom FY 2009.

Track padb) Development of analytical tool to predict rollingnoise and structure-borne noise, and measures fornoise reduction- In order to validate the prediction model for rollingnoise, based on the TWINS model, measurements
Precast box-shaped block
Cast-in-place concrete

using actual trains were carried out in terms of noiseand vibration. It was determined that the model gave
reliable results.

8bearing used in the flywheel for energy storage was

Surfaceroughnesses on Wheel
wheel and rail vibration
Rail vibrationthat stable levitated support was possible for a longtime in a non-rotating state.
Sleeper vibration

gies
A total of 131 projects related to the development ofWheel vibration

120

Predicted

10080

Measured60
63

increased from 5 kN to 20 kN, and it was confirmed

1.1.2 Development of Practical Technolo-

Wheel
noise

Vibration
accelerationlevel(dB)- The supporting force of the superconductive magnetic

Rail
noise
Sleepernoise

125 250 500

1k

2k

4k

Frequency(Hz)Vibration
accelerationlevel(dB)conventional railway system

Annual Report 2008

Rolling noisec) Application of linear motor technologies to the120

MeasuredRail vibration

100

Predicted

8060Wheel/Rail vibrations(closely related
estimated using wheel/rail to rollingnoise) are roughnesses andvibratory properties

63

125 250 500

1k

2k

4k

Frequency(Hz)practical technologies were conducted, 57 of whichwere completed in FY 2008.
(2) Railways with Increased Convenience(1) Highly Reliable Railwaysa) Evaluation of the running resistance of snowploughs
fitted to Shinkansen trainsa) Practical implementation of a vertical vibration
damping control system using a variable coefficient
damper- By using high-speed photography of a model and- A variable coefficient damper intended to reduce cost

numerical simulation in the Shiozawa Snow Testing

was developed by improving a damping force control

Station, the behavior of 16 types of snowplough

valve etc. It was confirmed during running tests inwith different shapes was analyzed and snowploughsa Shinkansen vehicle that the vibration acceleration

with good performance were proposed for fitting topower near 10 Hz resulting from the car body pri-

Shinkansen trains in regions of heavy snowfall.

mary bending could be reduced to approximately
one-fifth. At the same time, a durability running testb) Development of an on-board speed-verifying type

was conducted.

ATS-X system- The operation of functions, such as the SPAD (Signal
Passed At Danger) preventative function and the
speed limit function, of on-board devices and way-

(3) Low-Cost Railwaysa) Development of an algorithm to detect internal
defects in a concrete tunnel wallside devices was verified. At the same time, safety- An algorithm for measuring the surface of tunnel lining

evaluation was conducted, and it was confirmed that

concrete using a measuring laser as well as using a

the performance levels satisfactory for commercial

oscillating laser to detect internal defects from its

operation were obtained.

vibration waveforms was developed.

c) Study on functional improvement of an interlocking
table for automatic route settingb) Development of a wear-resistant tongue rail
- A heat treatment method for increasing the hardnessof the surface layer of a tongue rail and a sectionalby the improvement of a function to create a track lay-

shape of its end section were devised based onout diagram in stations. At the same time, the function

research on actual wear conditions of the tongue

to explain the operation of the interlocking device andrail on a conventional line. It was confirmed on a

the function to aid route setting etc. was developed.

line in commercial use that the amount of wear could
be reduced by approximately 30%.

d) Development of a method of improving safety
awareness- A group conversation method for improving safetyc) Development of an algorithm to draft plans to adjust
freight train operation

awareness by sharing the experience of risk among- An algorithm to draft plans to adjust operation during

field personnel to promote spontaneous thinking

periods when timetables are disrupted was devel-

was developed and a group conversation implemen-

oped. This algorithm also takes into consideration

tation manual, a facilitator (leader) training program,the daily inspection time limit and home inspection

etc., were created.

depots for each locomotive. At the same time, a

Major Activities in FY 2008

- The accuracy of automatic route setting was upgraded9

Major Activities in FY 2008

system for distributing the adjustment plans to the lo-

shape of the hull support were improved to reduce

comotive depots via the Internet was developed.

aerodynamic noise. At the same time, wind tunnel
tests confirmed that noise could be reduced byd) Development of a high-performance sintered metal

approximately 4 dB by attaching a porous material
to the frame.

contact strip- A sintered metal contact strip using a new lubricating component, such as bismuth, was developed.

c) Basic study on a method of evaluating obstructions

During running tests of a Shinkansen train with theto ground water flows caused by the construction

contact strip attached to the pantograph, it was con-of underground structures

firmed that the wear characteristics of the contact- A method of evaluating obstructions to ground water

strip/contact wire were equal to or better than theflows caused during the construction of undergroundcontact strip that is in current use.

structures was developed based on the sequencesof construction, such as excavation, and measures(4) Environmentally Friendly Railways

taken to prevent obstructions, such as the construc-a) Development of a method of estimating a range

tion of flow pipes.

of radio disturbance of terrestrial digital broadcastd) Evaluation of aerodynamic forces acting on rolling

along railway wayside- A program for estimating the reception level of theterrestrial digital broadcast at the railway waysideduring the passage of a train was created.

stock in a turbulent boundary layer using a windtunnel test
- A wind tunnel test for simulating natural wind was
conducted by using a combination of five types of

1.1.3 Basic Research for Railways

rolling stock and seven kinds of railway structures

A total of 86 basic railway research projects were con-and the aerodynamic forces acting on the rolling

ducted, 26 of which were completed in FY 2008.

stock on the railway structure were clarified.

[Analytical Research][Exploratory and Pioneering Study]a) Study on slip and re-adhesion control by one vehiclea) Evaluation of the application of nano-composites torailway flooring materials

model- A method for controlling slip by adjusting the- A flooring material formed by laminating a polymer

torque of the movement of the wheel load by anfilm in which fine clay minerals on a nano scale wereinverter-controlled locomotive was developed. It

dispersed on the surface layer of a non-halogen

was confirmed that the frequency of slip occurrence

polymer base was developed. It was confirmed that

could be reduced by 20% and that the tractive effort

the material’s resistance to combustion satisfied the

could be improved by 4%.

criteria of the ministerial ordinance, its strength met
the current specifications, and a reduction in weightb) Study of aerodynamic noise reduction techniques for

was possible by using a low-density base.

pantographs used in high-speed operation- The hull of the Shinkansen pantograph and the[Magnetically Levitated Railway System]a) Development of non-destructive inspection andRailway vehicles (5 types)
Rounded-roof Rounded-roof
passenger car double-decker

condition diagnosis technology for a ground coil

Ordinary limited
Ordinary
express car
commutertransport car

Flatcontainercar

Scene of wind tunnel test

- A malfunction detection sensor was attached to theAnnual Report 2008

power supply of the ground coil, as well as to the10data transmission part and so on. It was also confirmed using an electromagnetic vibration test that
Structures (7 types)

Girder height1m,2m,3.5m

Single-track embankment

Single-track bridge

the sensor functioned normally in a ferromagnetic
field.

Double-track
viaduct

At the Yamanashi Test Track, data on the long-term
durability of the rolling stock and ground facilities was

Girder height 1m,3.5m,6m

obtained through the running tests.

structures, and promoted development of design tools
in related R&D projects.

RTRI conducted 524 contract-based projects including

RTRI performs the role of National Secretariat for IEC††

surveys, developments and studies. Below are someTC9, which is the railway-related technical expert com-examples of typical projects and clients.

mittee. At the same time, RTRI held the railway section

Annual Report 2008

1.2 Contract-Based Projects

meeting in a Japan-Europe Standardization Conference.
*

MLIT : Survey and study for maintenance of railway(3) Information Services

technical standards
Local Gov.: Survey on the effects of construction work

RTRI distributes railway technical information throughits website and literature retrieval service in order toadjacent to railway tracks**

JRTT : Review on countermeasures for malfunction

respond to internal and external requests. We also

in switching of Shinkansen turnouts

gather books and documents related to railways andInvestigation and research for contact wire

scientific technologies, and we continue to computerizefacilities in the projected Shinkansen lines

documents kept in RTRI’s library in order to provide***

information by an electronic library system.

JR : Brake performance test
Wind tunnel test for the review of the optimum shapeof a pantograph and current collecting device(4) Publications and Workshops
RTRI published its own periodicals, such as RTRI

Private Co.: Investigation of viaduct piers
Measurement and prediction of vibration

Report, RRR, and QR. We also held RTRI Lectureand noise required from construction(498 attendees) under the main theme of “Transcending

planning of buildings

Technical Boundaries - Toward Harmonization andIntellectualization of the Railway System -,” Monthly

1.3 Other Projects

Presentation 11 times (1,131 attendees in total), and28 Railway Technology Seminars (1,407 attendees in(1) Surveys

total). Further, we started sales of DVDs of Monthly†

A staff member was dispatched to UIC to assist in

Presentations and RTRI Lectures.

their activities and to conduct a survey of European
railway technologies in order to make use of it in RTRI’s(5) Diagnosis and Advisory Services

R&D activities.

RTRI offered consultancy services on 367 occasions

Systematic collection, analysis, and evaluation of

mainly for railway operators. These related to thetechnical information related to the future of railways

investigation into the causes of rail failures and accidents

were conducted. A survey on technological trends

that occurred in substation facilities and so on.

in the marine industry was conducted, following earlier surveys on automotive and aircraft industries, tocompare the energy efficiency of railways with other

1.4 Railway Technology Promotion
Center (RTPC) Activities

modes of transport.
Further, the results of surveys carried out to de-

RTPC organizes the Railway Design Engineer Ex-

termine future technical challenges for railways wereamination - a qualification in technical expertise on

published as a book entitled “Railways in 2030.”

managing railway design that aims to enhance thetechnical capabilities of railway engineers in Japan. In
FY 2008, 149 engineers out of 779 applicants passed

RTRI drafted revised editions of Seismic Design

the examination.

Standards, Track Structure Design Standards, andIn terms of technical support, RTPC publishedFoundation and Retaining Structure Design Standards,“Railway Technologies Learned from Accidents (track

and created a guideline related to a design method ofvolume),” a textbook for leading engineers, and started

tunnel linings in mountains. It also conducted surveys

to edit a signalling textbook. It responded to 50 inqui-and studies on the design and maintenance of railway

ries from its members and conducted seven on-site* MLIT: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism** JRTT: Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency*** JR: Japan Railway Company† UIC: Union Internationale des Chemins de Fer / International Union of Railways†† IEC: International Electrical Commission

Major Activities in FY 2008

(2) Technical Standards Development

11

Major Activities in FY 2008

surveys and gave on-site advice on four occasions, as

railway-related research organizations and held discus-well as holding the promotion center lecture in foursions with French National Railways (SNCF) on new

locations. In addition, it gave lectures and advice six

research project plans. In November 2008, we held

times at training meetings held by local railway organi-

the China-Korea-Japan Railway Research Seminar

zations arranged by rail advisers (registered engineering

at RTRI. Further, RTRI started a joint research pro-experts) and exchanged opinions with local railway

gramme with the Rail Safety & Standards Board (RSSB)

organizations on 20 occasions. To provide informationfrom October. In relation to international conferences,to members, RTPC began distributing a mail magazine

RTRI supported preparatory work for the 8th Worldand providing a DVD of the monthly presentation.

Congress on Railway Research (WCRR 2008) held inConcerning the survey and research, RTPC con-

Seoul, Korea, in May 2008. RTRI agreed to act as hostducted five projects and completed three projects

for the 10th International Workshop on Railway Noise

including the method required for implementing sub-(IWRN 10) to be held in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture,

stitute signalling block arrangements for rural lines. As

in October 2010.

to the railway safety database, we clarified information
about critical accidents in the past, and at the same time,(2) Development of a Gauge Change Traindeveloped a system for provision of information.

In the development of the gauge change train, as amember of the Free-Gauge Train Technology Research

1.5 Other Activities

Association (FGT Association), RTRI participated in theplanning of running tests on sections of conventional(1) International Activities

line and the improvement of measurements and bo-

RTRI promoted joint research projects with overseas

gies.

2. Others(1) Dealing with Public Interest Corporation Re-(4) Environmental Preservationform*

As to preservation of the global environmental, RTRI

RTRI made an effort to collect related information andtried to reduce power consumption based on theto grasp the trend of the Public Interest Corporation

implementation plan in FY 2008.

**

Commission. After the three Acts to reform the Public Interest Corporation were enforced in December(5) Industrial Property Rights

2008, we proceeded to discuss the application for

RTRI applied for 240 patents and obtained 154 newtransition to a new legal entity.

registered patents in FY 2008. The total number ofpatents in its possession was 2,210 at the end of the(2) Transition to New OA Systemfiscal year.

The new OA system, development of which wascompleted in FY 2007, was put into operation from

(6) Visitors

May 2008. The transition was completed smoothly.

Approximately 2,000 people visited the Kunitachi

Annual Report 2008

Institute and approximately 420 people visited Maibara

12(3) Improvement of Equipment and Facilities

Wind Tunnel Technical Center. Approximately 1,500

A large-scale shaking table simulating the groundpeople attended RTRI technical forum held in the

movement of a severe earthquake was completed.

Kunitachi Institute (September 4 and 5), and 4,800

The improvement of the rolling stock test equipment

visited the open house festival (October 11); 8,500

was continued.

visited the open house festival held in the Wind Tunnel
Technical Center (October 11 and 12).

* Public Interest Corporation Reform: In the new legal system, general non-profit corporations, which consist of incorporated
foundations, will be created. By the end of 2013, existing public interest corporations may apply for approval to transfer to new
public interest non-profit corporations or ask for authorization to convert to the new general non-profit corporations.
** The three Acts: The following three laws came into effect on December 1st.
1) General Incorporated Association and Foundation Law
2) Charitable Status Recognition Law
3) Relative Transition, Modification & Repeal Law

Annual Report 2008

Activity Plan
for FY 2009
1. Fundamental Policy
The Japanese economy has slowed down considerablyConcerning R&D activities that can be easily de-as it has been affected by the collapse of the global

ployed to improve the safety level of railways while

economy triggered by the sub-prime loan problem

maintaining a close relationship with the government,in the USA. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the

railway operators, etc., RTRI will use all its endeavors

economic situation surrounding the railway businessto tackle R&D projects relating to natural disasters

with great care, because the problems are expected

such as earthquakes and high winds, as well as projects

to become more severe. On the other hand, from

related to human error, etc. And at the same time, we

the standpoint of measures taken to combat global

will carry out R&D aimed at helping railways to takewarming, the expectations placed on the railway

advantage of IT and related technologies to achievebusiness seem to grow higher and higher. In these

low cost and ease of use while taking into consider-circumstances, RTRI will build on the technologies it

ation the global and wayside environments. Further,has mastered in the past in various ways and at theby strengthening links with domestic and overseas

same time, recognize anew the role it has to play as anuniversities, institutes, etc. RTRI will promote R&D

integrated railway technical research institute, aiming

efficiently. In the Maglev Systems Technology Division,to achieve further progress.

we will continue R&D activities focused on applying a

Because FY 2009 is the final fiscal year of the five-range of technologies and know-how, such as super-year master plan - RESEARCH 2005 - we will take aconducting technology and linear motor technology,

firm hold on the current situation and endeavor toto conventional railways.

focus on the target plan, promoting each project in

In terms of operations and management, in ac-order to achieve the predetermined objectives of thecordance with the requirements of the three Acts

master plan. In addition to the above, we will conduct

to reform the Public Interest Corporation, RTRI willtimely R&D that can contribute to the management of

prepare for the transition to a new legal person.

the JR companies and other railway operators, striving
to achieve rapid results.

Further, we will review the direction of medium andlong-term R&D and progress steadily towards drawing
up the master plan for the next term.
Activity Plan for FY 200913

Activity Plan for FY 2009

2. Activities Related to Testing and Research
2.1 Test and Research Projects

drawn up to alleviate the maintenance of trolley wires.

Because FY 2009 is the final fiscal year of the master

This will be achieved by combining the trolley wire local

plan - RESEARCH 2005 - RTRI will consistently carrywear reduction scheme and introducing novel profile

out R&D for the future of railways and we will conducttrolley wires with improved fatigue strength.

practical R&D and basic research on railways.

d) Development of human simulation technologies

To promote R&D efficiently, RTRI will positively

to improve safety and ride comfort

utilize contract research and joint research projects

A method of evaluating the safety and ride comfort ofwith universities and other research organizations,passengers and crew of railways will be drawn up. This

conduct R&D reviews with research advisors who arewill be based on a method used to evaluate ride quality

assigned to give advice on our research projects andthat takes into consideration the physical properties andevaluate the outcome of research activities from thesimulation technology used to evaluate the physical andviewpoint of external experienced scholars.

mental load of crew.
e) Application of linear motor technologies to the(1) R&D for the Future of Railways

conventional railway system

RTRI will promote 12 assignments including the follow-

A scaled and partial model of a flywheel power stor-

ing projects that are expected to result in technologicalage system that uses superconducting bearings will

breakthroughs toward the future of railways.

be completed. At the same time, a prototype for aa) Development of a method of evaluating vehicle

regenerative rail brake that makes use of linear motor

dynamic characteristics using a hybrid simulator

technologies will be completed.

A virtual running test environment will be constructedby combining damper test equipment, an inter-car(2) Development of Practical Technologies

dynamics simulator for simulating the dynamics of a

RTRI will promote technical development projects

train set, and a bogie that can be adjusted to offer

to solve specific local or on-site problems designateddifferent characteristics.

individually by JR companies, and will conduct R&D inb) Seismic evaluation and countermeasures forthe area in which RTRI has a developmental edge. In

existing railway facilities
A method of uniformly evaluating the seismic per-wind so that safe train operation is ensured even duringformance of facilities of different types, such as civil

high winds. It plans to put into practice a system forengineering structures and power supply facilities willcontrolling vertical vibrations using a variable coefficient

be developed using common standards. A reason-

damper, and to develop on-board inertial mid-chordable performance improvement plan for dealing withtrack measuring equipment. It will also develop aseismic problems will also be proposed.

method for optimizing the location of depot of freightc) Study on performance improvement and stream-

locomotives and crew. In implementing these im-lining of maintenance work for the current col-provements, RTRI will ensure that it fully understands

lection system

the needs of railway operators by working closely with

Annual Report 2008

New overhead contact line erection standards will be

14particular, RTRI proposes a new method for monitoring

them. It will also strive to provide results quickly.

Annual Report 2008

(3) Basic Research for Railways

2.3 Other Projects

RTRI will clarify phenomena that are inherent to(1) Surveys

railways and which are necessary to solve various

RTRI will systematically continue to collect, analyze,

railway problems; it will also conduct studies into theevaluate and store technological information on rail-application on railways of simulation techniques, newways and related fields in Japan and other countries.

technologies and materials.

We will also implement surveys on the technological

For the conventional railway systems, RTRI will

movements in the various fields to utilize this informa-

conduct a study on the vehicle response to a suddention toward new technologies and research for railways

gust of wind, a study on remote control of signallingin the future.

from a vehicle, a study on a control method for energy
storage equipment, a study on a method to clarify(2) Technology Standards Development

and reducing the phenomenon of low-frequency noise

RTRI will begin work on revision of the Design Standard

generated when a high-speed vehicle is running, andfor Steel/Composite Structures to take account of thea study on the contact wire and the messenger wire

performance-based design method. It will also conduct

having a low thermal coefficient of expansion.

investigations and studies on a simplified verification

For the magnetic levitation railway system, RTRI will

method for bridges and on the possibility of extending

participate in running tests on the Yamanashi test line

the life of existing retaining walls. It will also promoteand develop a method of evaluating the performance

R&D on related projects.

of the ground coils and superconducting magnets, as

Further, RTRI will also act as the national secretariat

well as an inspection method. It will also carry out

for IEC TC9, and we will start discussions about how to

R&D to ensure that technical expertise is retained todeal with the activities for international standardizationa sufficient level for the technology to be applied toof railway technologies in the future.

conventional railways.
(3) Information Service Projects

2.2 Contract-Based Projects

RTRI will promote various projects in the same way

RTRI will promote contract-based research projects in

as in past years.

the fields of engineering and system integration where
its integrated power can be exerted. In order to ensure(4) Publication and Workshop Projects

that we obtain contract-based research projects and to

RTRI will promote various projects in the same way

sell our branded items, RTRI will publicize the results ofas in past years.

our outputs through technical forums and informationexchange meetings.

(5) Diagnosis and Advisory Projects
RTRI will promote various projects in the same way
as in past years.
Activity Plan for FY 200915

Activity Plan for FY 2009

2.4 Railway Technology Promotion
Center (RTPC)

2.5 Other Activities

RTPC will promote various projects and provide

As a mean of maintaining co-operation with overseas

information about the contents of projects as well as

railway-related research organizations, RTRI will con-reflecting the needs of members in the project activities

tinue to promote joint research projects with SNCF,

in an appropriate way. Specifically, RTPC will exten-

RSSB (UK), CARS and KRRI. RTRI will also prepare

sively develop the activities of rail advisers in order toto host IWRN10 to be held in Nagahama, in Octoberpass on their knowledge of railway technologies and2010 and will assist in the preparations for WCRR 2011

prevent existing technologies from deteriorating. It

to be held in Lille, France, in May 2011.

(1) International Activities

will also proceed to create training aids and learningmaterials for leading engineers. Further, RTPC will take(2) Development of a Gauge Change Traincharge of the Railway Design Engineer Examinations

As a member of FGT Association, RTRI will plan run-in Tokyo and Osaka. It will also promote investigationning tests for a new train set, implement measurements

and studies to ensure safety and meet the demandsin the tests, and remodel the bogies used.

of members. Moreover, RTPC will provide information and enrich its safety database, at the same time(3) Preparation of Facilities

strengthening communication with members and

RTRI will complete improvements to the rolling stock

distributing information by making use of lectures intest plant started in FY 2005.

local cities and through use of electronic media.

3. Others(1) Dealing with the Public Interest Corporation Reform

Annual Report 2008

discussions, such as the idea about establishing a new

RTRI will strive to collect information about the Publicproject section to work towards the application for theInterest Corporation Reform from various fields, andtransition to a new legal entity, reviewing the method

at the same time we will refer to the situation being

for drawing up financial statements.

enforced by the government office, such as certifica-

16

tion. We will then proceed to have the necessaryAnnual Report 2008

Major Resultsof Research andDevelopment in FY 2008
I. Safety/Reliability
1. On-Board Speed-Verifying Type ATS-X System• We developed a new on-board speed-verifying type ATS-X system that complies with the requirements in
the revised Ministerial Ordinance on Technical Standards.
• It was confirmed through function verification tests and safety assessments that the system had no problems
in practical use.
Maximum speed pattern
for the line

Speed limit pattern

Section withspeed limit(curves, etc.)

On-board database information

Ground coil information(position data)

Cancellation of speed pattern
SPAD protection pattern according to change of signal aspect

ATS-X
on-board
apparatus

Ground coil information

Transmission of the distance data to the next signal device
superimposed on current ATS signals

For speed patterngeneration
ATS-X ground coil Existing on-board antenna(free of power cables)

ATS-X ground coil(with power source)

For speed pattern
cancellation
Existing ground coil cable

Fig. 1 Schematic diagram of ATS functions

2. New Snowplough Shape Suitable for Areas with Heavy Snowfall• We developed a new snowplough shape suitable for Shinkansen trains running in areas of heavy snowfall.
• A similarity rule was proposed to convert the snow disposal force of the scale model plough to full-scalevalues.

Fender wing to directsnow to prevent itfrom being sprayedon to adjacent tracks

Wayside snow pile
(R. L. 480 mm)

Snow-storing
gutterSnow-storing
gutterRunning
direction

Snow-storing
gutterFig. 2 Snow deposition on a snow-storing type viaduct inareas of heavy snowfall

Major Results of Research and Development in FY 2008

Reference
Arai, H., Manabe, K. and Sato, K., "Development of Basic System on ATS-X with Continuous Surveillance Pattern", Quarterly Reportof RTRI, Vol.48, No.2, pp.89-93, 2007.

Fig. 3 Snowplough model suitable for use in areas of heavy
snowfall17

TunnelShallow ground section

CracksScale model test

Expansion plan

• We clarified the mechanism of the damage caused
by earthquakes to mountain railway tunnels locatedCracksDamages in an
actual tunnel

CracksMajor Results of Research and Development in FY 2008

3. Seismic Performance Evaluation
Technique for Mountain Railway
Tunnels Located in Shallow
Groundin shallow ground.
• The seismic performance and effectiveness of seismic countermeasures for mountain tunnels were(Continues into the tunnel)

ascertained.
• A seismic performance evaluation technique formountain tunnels was proposed and a seismic)LJ9HUL¿FDWLRQRIHDUWKTXDNHGDPDJHUHSURGXFLELOLW\WKURXJKH[SHULPHQWV

Inertial force during earthquake
Binding by
expanded footing

Increase in horizontal
ground resistancecountermeasure manual was published.

4. Simple Seismic Strengthening
Method for Existing Foundations
using Sheet Piles• We developed a simple and economical seismic
strengthening method for existing foundations using
sheet piles.
• A design method for this strengthening method

Sheet pile

was proposed, and a seismic strengthening design
manual was published.

Reduction in section
forces of piles)LJ6FKHPDWLFGLDJUDPRIVHLVPLFVWUHQJWKHQLQJWHFKQLTXHStringer

5. Causes of and Remedial Techniques for Fatigue Cracks Occurring in the Floor Systems of
Existing Steel Trough Girders• We clarified the causes of fatigue cracks occurring in
the floor systems of existing steel through girders.

Annual Report 2008

Floor beam18

• Preventive measures were proposed depending on
the types of fatigue cracks.

)LJ ([DPSOH RI SUHYHQWLYH PHDVXUHV IRU VWULQJHU ORZHU HQG DJDLQVW IDWLJXH FUDFN
initiation

• We clarified quantitatively the mechanical effect on

Annual Report 2008

6. A Method for Evaluating the Effect on Passengers on Station
Platforms of the Draft Caused
by Passing Trains

Air outlet in wind tunnel

Fluctuating windconversion louver

passengers subjected to drafts caused by passing
trains; and a method was proposed to evaluate theeffect of the draft caused by the train on passengers

Person subjected tothe experimenton station platforms.

Load cell to measure reaction
force from the floor

Fig. 7 Fluctuating wind sensory test in wind tunnel

7. Round-Table Discussion Method
Designed to Raise Safety Awareness• We reviewed the actual situation among field person-

Objectives: Raising safety awareness and building a culture of safety
Round-table discussion
meeting on an accident
Discussion on accident situations

Recognitionofseriousness

nel on sharing experiences and know-how to ensurethat safety was maintained; and we developed agroup discussion method to enable the sharing ofDiscussion on accident causes

Commonappreciationof risks(Based on individual experiences)(Multilateral, detailed questions that probe
the reason for the accident)such experiences and know-how.
• A round-table discussion method manual was
published and a training program for leaders was

Raisingofrisk sensitivity(Situations, images of handling)(Imaging worst-case scenario and results)

Sharingofrisk experiences

Discussion on accident prevention

Understanding
difficulties withcountermeasures(Based on individual know-how)(Managerial measures and voluntary countermeasures)(A close look at factors that prevent accidents)

Sharingofexpertiseproposed.
Fig. 8 Flow of round-table discussion method for raising safety awareness to prevent
accidents

Magnetic shield containing the SQUID

Input coil

• We developed a SQUID*-based inspection systemthat can detect the existence of a white etching layer
on rail.
• Automotive measurement apparatus for white etching layers on rails was manufactured.

Feedback coilExamination
probe
Transmitter

SQUID*SQUID: Superconducting QUantum Interference Device
Rail

Running gear

)LJ&RQ¿JXUDWLRQRIPHDVXUHPHQWDSSDUDWXV

Rail

Major Results of Research and Development in FY 2008

8. SQUID-based Detection for White
Etching Layers on Train Rails

19

Major Results of Research and Development in FY 2008

II. Economy/Efficiency
1. A Readhesion Control Method
to Suppress Locomotive Wheel
Slips Considering Axle-WeightTransfer• We developed a readhesion control method whena locomotive suffers from wheelslip taking into
consideration the axle-weight transfer.
• Comparative tests using an actual locomotive
verified that the number of slips occurring fell byapproximately 20% and tractive effort increased
by approximately 40% with the help of dynamic

Fig.10 Wheelslip test using an actual locomotive

axle-weight transfer compensation.

3.0

2. Sintered Metal Contact Strips for
Shinkansen Trains using a New
Lubricating Material

2.0• We developed sintered metal contact strips using a

Wear ratios of contact strips[mm3/km]4.0

new lubricating material, and confirmed that the resulting wear-resistance characteristics are equivalent

1.0

to or greater than the currently available material
even at high speeds of 275 km/h or more.

0.0
Currently available material

Developed material• We confirmed that these contact strips can be(Maximum speeds of 275 km/h or over)used on a vehicle for through-operation between
Fig. 11 Comparison of contact strip wear ratios between the currently available material
and the developed material

Shinkansen and conventional lines.

3. Seismic Damage Level Monitoring Device
for a RC Rigid Frame Viaduct Column
Peak sensor
Base

Peak sensor
for longitudinal
direction• We developed a device requiring no power source for monitoring
the level of seismic damage to a RC rigid frame viaduct column.
• The damage level of column can be predicted where its interior

Measurement
Measurementbar

20

cannot be assessed because of strengthening using a steel jacket toprevent seismic damage.
• A method was proposed to select the optimum arrangement for
locating the minimum number of devices for operational lines.

Lateral
draft
angle

Displacement

ColumnFig. 12 Member angle measurement device

Percentage of structures where
the margin of error between damage
analysis values and virtual measurement
and presumption values is equal
to or less than 10%(%)

Annual Report 2008

Assumeddamage area

Peak sensor
Measurement for transverse
directionbar

Damage analysis value(simulated actual earthquake damage)

Virtualmeasurement
100

Most structures haveerrors within 10%500Line A:158 sets
Line B:129 sets
Line C:174 sets
Line D:98 sets

Virtual presumption

Viaduct height 7 to 10 m
Dense soil

Number of
viaduct sets

Near-land interplate
earthquake motion

2 units

4 units

8 units(2,000 m interval)(1,000 m interval)(5,000 m interval)

Fig. 13 Number of locations where the devices are installed and measurement
errorsConcrete
Laser forexcitation

Annual Report 2008

4. Non-Destructive Inspection
Technique for Concrete Members
using Laser Excitation

Ultrasonicwave

Laser formeasurement• We developed a non-destructive inspection techPrototype systemnique for concrete members using laser excitation.

Beam splitter• Enhanced examination efficiency and inspection
accuracy were achieved compared with the conventional inspection method.
• Verification tests were implemented for actual

Detector

structures, and the feasibility of defect detection

Referencelight
Dynamic
hologram crystal

DefectReflecting
light

was confirmed.

5. Wear-Resistant Tongue Rails• We developed a wear-resistant tongue rail that satisfies JIS standards using new heat treatment conditions
to enhance its wear-resistant performance.
• Installation tests were implemented on lines in commercial service, and a good level of wear-resistantperformance was confirmed.

Amount of wear and tear (mm)

)LJ/DVHUEDVHGH[FLWDWLRQPHDVXUHPHQWV\VWHP

2.0(Scheduled
replacement after
measurement)

Currently available
SQ-treated product1.0

Wear-resistant tongue rail
0.0
0

30

60

90

120

Number of days installed
Fig.15 Comparison of the progress of wear and tear in a wear-resistant tongue rail (300mm from tip)

• We developed a method for repairing track by filling
gaps in the ballast with polymer gel impregnatedwater glass that enables the rapid repair of loose
sleepers in ballasted track on low-tonnage lines.

Long nozzle for filling under sleepers• A roadbed reinforcing method involving pre-packed
concrete blocks was developed to halt settlement of)LJ)LOOLQJZRUNXVLQJDLUSUHVVXUH

the track around structure boundary.

Box culvert

Embankment

Major Results of Research and Development in FY 2008

6. Measures to Repair Track Affected by Loose Sleepers, andto Halt Settlement of the Trackaround Structure Boundary)LJ5RDGEHGUHLQIRUFLQJPHWKRGLQYROYLQJSUHSDFNHGFRQFUHWHEORFNV

21

Major Results of Research and Development in FY 2008

Arc light

Visible ray

Ultraviolet rayTodetector

7. Development of a Contact-Loss
Measuring System Using Ultraviolet Ray Detection• We developed an apparatus able to measure contact

Interference filter

loss during both day and night by detecting only

Fluorescentglass plateparticular wavelengths (in the ultraviolet ray region)
from arcing generated during loss of contact.

Plastic optical fiber

Conversion unit

• Performance tests on conventional lines confirmedthat a high level of detection sensitivity can be
Fig. 18 An outline of the contact-loss measuring system with ultraviolet ray detection
XVLQJSODVWLFRSWLFDO¿EHUV

Support point
Messenger wireContact wire

Pull-off arm
Height-adjusting mechanism

obtained.

8. Support Structure Aimed at
Reducing Localized Wear ofContact Wires• We developed a support structure that relieves the
localized lifting of overhead contact wire seen nearits support points, so reducing wear and tear of theoverhead contact wire.

Contact wire
New type of fitting(pull-off arm)

Pull angle changed from 16° to 9°
Fig. 19 Overview of new support structure* %"!%"!* %


9. Additional Functions for an
Interlocking Diagram Creation
Support System• We added an automatic generation function forinterlocking diagrams, which incorporates conditions not described in track layout diagrams, to theInterlocking Diagram Creation Support System.

Annual Report 2008+-#$"!#"!!

provided and to permit simulation of an interlock-! % !#!

ing operation in an interlocking diagram, which is! "! made for the purposes of verification support and

&&

''

!"!  !!!
!!%$!
!#!

!!

&&
  # #!! ( #

"


,
(
(
)
,
''
)
 # ,!  !!
! !
$!!


)LJ([DPSOH RI D VFUHHQ VKRZLQJ WKH FRPPHQWDU\ IXQFWLRQ RQ DQ LQWHUORFNLQJ
device22• Functions were added to allow a commentary to be

educational support.

• We developed a job assignment system to generate* Personnel information(names, qualifications, etc.)* Calendar information* Job schedule(date and time, work details, number ofpeople required, qualifications, etc.)* Holidays desired
etc...

monthly work scheduling tables for maintenance* Constraints on required holidays* Constraints on night shifts and off-duty
periods* Levelling of night shifts allocation* Levelling of rest day working allocation
etc...

Inputting data

personnel.

Annual Report 2008

10. Automatic Job Assignment System for Maintenance Personnel

Selecting constraints

Automatic job assignment system• This generates a job assignment within short periods
Modification
Checking after modification

Generationof time and complies with various constraints andconditions.

Working hours

Job assignment

Fig. 21 System outline

11. Automated System for Generating a Rescheduling Plan for
Freight Train Locomotives after
Periods of Disruption

Because of a delayed arrival, it is unlikely thatthe assignment for the next train will be met

Before rescheduling5

Locomotive ID a

6

7

8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 0 1
Station B

Station B

Delay

Locomotive ID b

Station B

Station A
Station B• We developed a system to automatically generate

Station D

Locomotive ID c

Station B

locomotive rescheduling plans when services havebeen disrupted.
• Within 90 seconds the system can generate a re-Station B

Station B

Necessity of rescheduling locomotives
Changes of assigned locomotives

After reschedulingfor operation of high-frequency freight trains.

5

Locomotive ID a

67

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 0 1
Station B

Station B

Locomotive ID b

Station B

Station B

Locomotive ID c
Locomotive ID d

8

Station B

Station B

Station B

઀ Station D

Urgent inspection)LJ([DPSOHRIDXWRPDWLFDOO\JHQHUDWHGUHVFKHGXOLQJSODQ

Major Results of Research and Development in FY 2008

scheduling plan which covers a three-day schedule

Locomotive ID d23

Major Results of Research and Development in FY 2008

III. Comfort/Convenience
1. Improvement of Ride Comfort andIncrease of Car Body Strength
by Increasing the Rigidity of the
Inner Frame of the Car Body

Reinforcement in the roof

Reinforced inner column
at the door pocket• We proposed a technique to increase the bending
rigidity and improve the vibration characteristics ofcar bodies which affect ride comfort by attaching

Connection fitting

reinforcing members to form a closed structure for

Floor joists

the inner frames.
Closed structure• By modelling part of the structure, we confirmedthat the strength of the car bodyside increased
thanks to adoption of the closed structure.

Fig. 23 Car body model for rigidity test (closed structure)

Reference
Takigami, T., Tomioka, T. and Aida, K., "Improving the Rigidityof Railway Vehicle Carbodies Using Non-Structural Members,"
Quarterly Report of RTRI, Vol.50, No.2, pp.63-69, 2009.

2. Structural Design Method Suitable for High-Rise Buildings Constructed over Railway Tracks

Additional useful height

Increase in member strength ofvertical elements and improvementof ductility characteristics• We developed a structural design method that corresponds to the demand for constructing high-risebuildings over railway tracks. This enables station

Track
level

buildings to be designed for a height of up to 31 m.

No footing
beams

No footing
beamsFoundation piles<Height of 20 m or less ><Height of 31 m or less >)LJ7KHWUHQGIRUFRQVWUXFWLQJKLJKULVHEXLOGLQJVRYHUUDLOZD\WUDFNV

3. Evaluation Technique to Determine
the Ease of Walking in Stations• We developed a simulation system to evaluate passenger flows in which the ease of walking in stations
is quantified; this is based on walking tests in whichcongestion in stations is replicated.

Annual Report 2008

Concourse

Station replication by simulation

Ticket gateCalculation of ease of walking
from congestion status
Use of colors to indicate places
where walking is hard
Stairway Place where walking is hard

Stairway

Place where walking is hard

Easy
to walk

Doors
VehiclesPlatform)LJ6LPXODWLRQWRHYDOXDWHSDVVHQJHUÀRZV

24

Hard
to walk

Annual Report 2008

IV. Harmonization with the Environment
1. Hybrid Electric Test Train using
Fuel Cells and Batteries• We developed a lithium-ion battery, and a chopper
apparatus which controls the charging and discharging of the battery, so achieving a hybrid rail vehicle
with fuel cells.
• It was confirmed that a two-car trainset can run
without power being supplied from the catenary
system using this apparatus.

Fig. 26 Hybrid electric test train using fuel cells and batteries

2. Sheet Flooring Material Formedof Nano-Composites for Railway
VehiclesNano-level fine particles
Polymer material• We produced experimentally a flame-resistant andSurface of flooring sheet

lightweight flooring sheet for railway vehicles using

0.2mm

nano-composites.

2mm• It was confirmed that the performances of the

100nm

Nano-composites

Floor material substrate(non-halogenated material)

prototype satisfy the specifications of ministerial
ordinances and similar requirements.
Reference
Ito, M. and Nagai, K., "Evaluation of degradation on Nylon-6
and Nylon-6/ montmorillonite nanocomposite by color measurement," Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.108, Issue 6,
pp.3487-3494, 2008.

Pan head• We developed a technique to reduce noise emis-

Improved shape of the pan head and pan head support

Pan head support

Pan headsions from pantographs. The components involved
Pan head support

included the pan head, the pan head supports,(Near pan head)knuckle and baseframe, which are the main sourcesof pantograph aerodynamic noise. The improvement was achieved by improving the shape of thecomponents and by attaching porous material to

Knuckle(Near baseframe)
Baseframethem.
• In wind tunnel tests, the aerodynamic noise reduc-

Insulator

tion effect compared with the products currently in
use was approximately 4 dB.
Attachment of porous material

Major Results of Research and Development in FY 2008

3. Technique to Reduce Aerodynamic Noise from High-Speed
Pantographs)LJ0LFURVFRSLFLPDJHRIWKHQDQRFRPSRVLWHVDQGVHFWLRQVWUXFWXUHRIWKHÀRRULQJ
sheet for railway vehicles)LJ0HDVXUHVIRUDHURG\QDPLFQRLVHUHGXFWLRQRI6KLQNDQVHQSDQWRJUDSKV

25

-1.0

Groundwater level (m)Major Results of Research and Development in FY 2008

Initial groundwater level
Without countermeasureWith countermeasure (water flow pipe)

4. Three-Dimensional Infiltration
Flow Analysis Technique to Evaluate Interruptions to Groundwater
Flows

Retaining wall

-3.0

Undergroundstructure

Water flow

-5.0

Undergroundstructure-7.0

Water flow

Water flow

Water flow

• We evaluated the interruption of groundwaterWith countermeasure(water flow pipe)

flows caused by the construction of undergroundstructures. We also developed a three-dimensional

-9.0
0

100

200

300

400

500

seepage analysis program to design the measures

Distance (m)needed to counteract interruption of the flow.
)LJ(YDOXDWLRQH[DPSOHRIPHDVXUHVWDNHQWRFRXQWHUDFWLQWHUUXSWLRQRIWKHÀRZXVLQJthe analysis program

Transmission station
Reception point

5. Computation and Evaluation
Program on Digital Terrestrial
Broadcasting Reception Levels
at Railway Lineside Locations• We proposed a technique to compute digital terrestrial broadcasting reception levels at railway

Transmission station
Digital broadcast wave

lineside locations.

Train
Diffraction
Shielding

Structure

Reception
point
Reflection• The program was developed to compute andevaluate the intensity of interferences caused by thepassage of trains using the proposed technique.

Modelling of radio propagation paths

Fig.30 Developed computation and evaluation program

V. Maglev System
1. Ground Coil Fastening Portions
Applied to Laminated FRP Bushings• We developed inexpensive laminated FRP bushings
Thermoplastic resin layer
Reinforcing layer
Semi-reinforcing layer
Stress-moderating layer

for the bolt fastening part of the ground coils.
• It was verified that these bushings can significantly
moderate the stress concentration near the fastening

Annual Report 2008

part of the coils.

26• The durability of the bushings was confirmed throughComposition of FRP bushing
FRP: fiber reinforced plastic
Bushing: insert parts used in the bolt fastening portion

Fig. 31 Laminated FRP bushing

dynamic electromagnetic vibration.

Annual Report 2008

International
Activities
The major international activities of RTRI are the promotion of international
exchanges and development of co-operative relationships with overseas railway
research related organizations, and promotion of international standardization in
the railway field.

1. Joint Research with Overseas Organizations(1) Asia
Chinese, Korean and Japanese (CKJ) trilateral joint

could be made about the fruits of the research and theresearch activity has been extensively conductes

latest information exchanged.

among CARS*, KRRI** and RTRI. It originates fromtwo separate bilateral joint research activities between

RTRI hosted the 8th CKJ Railway Research Technical
Meeting in the Kunitachi Institute in October 2008.

CARS and RTRI which started in 1992, and KRRI and

The total number of current joint research projects

RTRI which started in 1999. In 2000, the three par-is 8 and RTRI is involved in the following 3 projects.

ties agreed to hold a technical meeting to report joint•Monitoring system for railway infrastructure

research projects.

•Life cycle assessment for railway system

The first CKJ Railway Research Technical Meeting•Management of polluted railway track

was held at KRRI in 2001. Since then, the railway
research technical meetings have been held annually,*CARS: China Academy of Railway Sciences**KRRI: Korea Railroad Research Instituterotating between each institute so that presentations

International Activities

8th China-Korea-Japan Railway Research Technical Meeting, October 200827

International Activities(2) Europe and US
RTRI and SNCF† agreed to conduct joint research

RTRI and SBB††† signed a research collaboration

projects in November 1995 and have since been

agreement in March 2007 and has been co-operating

performing extensive technical exchanges and mutual

in the field of transport information technology.
RTRI is also co-operating currently with the fol-visits.
In May 2007, a research seminar meeting was held

lowing universities and research organizations: Cam-in Tokyo, and we decided to start the 4th phase joint

bridge University in England (structures), Newcastle

research projects pertaining to the fields of rolling

University in England (track), Technical University atstock, tracks, current collection, track circuits, riding

Braunschweig in Germany (signalling), Cagliari Uni-

comfort, fuel cells and derailments.

versity in Italy (track), Geo Delft in the Netherlands††

RTRI and RSSB agreed to conduct joint research in
October 2008 and started the following two projects.

(durability of urban tunnels) and Massachusetts Instituteof Technology in the USA (materials).

•Influence of human factor in risk assessment, andclassification method of human action•Research and survey on design, manufacture andmaintenance of axles and wheelsets†SNCF: Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français / French
National Railways††RSSB: Rail Safety & Standards Board†††SBB: Swiss Federal Railways

RTRI and RSSB meeting, October 2008

2. International Standardization

Annual Report 2008

(1) Activities for IEC TC928

RTRI has been handling the work of the secretariat of(2) Collaboration related to International Standardization

the Japanese national committee for IEC TC9. We sent

A JISC-CENELEC information exchange meeting was

experts to the TC9 Plenary meeting and its various

held in October in Spain to foster general collaboration

working group meetings, and held a large number ofrelated to standardization between Japan and Europe.

domestic committee meetings. In 2008, new propos-

Extensive information exchanges were also conducted

als to develop a standard for a train communication

among railway experts.

network (TCN) and a standard for capacitors for rollingstock were made by Japan, and we began our prepara-(3) Publicity Activities

tion of the working drafts. Meanwhile, the draft of

RTRI has been publicizing activities for international

the standard for short-primary type linear induction

standardization in the railway field in Japan. We held

motors fed by power converters is almost complete.

the 4th seminar on international standards in Tokyo.

Annual Report 2008-,6&&(1(/(&LQIRUPDWLRQH[FKDQJHPHHWLQJRIUDLOZD\:*2FWREHU

3. Other Activities(1) WCRR(2) Co-operation with UIC

The World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR)

RTRI has cooperated with UIC* activities by sending

has its roots in an international seminar held in Tokyoa member of staff to work in the headquarters andin 1992 organized by RTRI that invited executives in

to exchange technical information with the European

charge of R&D from the world’s major railway op-

railways. RTRI hosted a UIC Panel of Structural Experts

erators. The seminar developed and expanded as an

Meeting and held the UIC Technical Exchange Seminar

essential international conference for railway researchin Tokyo in September 2008.

engineers in the world to exchange information andstimulate discussions on updated and innovative railway*UIC: Union Internationale des Chemins de Fer / International
Union of Railways

technologies.
RTRI has co-operated closely with the organizationcommittee to prepare WCRR2008 (held in Seoul,(3) IWRN10

Korea) by dispatching executives, submitting papers in

RTRI became the host organization for the 10th In-

the various fields, and inviting sponsors and exhibitors.

ternational Workshop on Railway Noise (IWRN10),

RTRI also exhibited a booth coordinating JR groupwhich will be held in Nagahama in October 2010.

companies.

International Activities([KLELWLRQRI575,DQG-5*URXSLQ:&550D\

29

International Activities

4. Visitors and business trips
The statistics on visitors to RTRI from overseas and on RTRI staff members who made business trips to overseas
are shown in the following figures.

(1) Visitors from overseas

North America
EuropeChina
Korea
Others

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

(2) Business trip to overseas

Technical surveys
Technical instructions
Joint researches
International conferences
Contract-based projects
Others

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Annual Report 2008

2000

30

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Annual Report 2008

Appendix
Highlights of FY2008
Date
2008

EventsMay 12Outlines of Design and Maintenance Standards for Railway Structures and Commentary
published in English.

May 18-22

WCRR2008 in Seoul.

Sept. 4-5

RTRI Technical Forum at Kunitachi.

Sept. 16-20 UIC PoSE Committee and UIC Railway Bridge & Tunnel Exchange Seminar at Kunitachi.
Sept. 23

Research collaboration with RSSB started.

Sept. 23-26 RTRI products (Cerajet and FRIMOS) exhibited at InnoTrans 2008 in Berlin.
Oct. 6-8

Researchers contributed to JISC-CENELEC Information Exchange Meeting in Madrid.

Oct. 11

RTRI Open House (Heibei Festival) at Kunitachi.

Nov. 3-7

Researchers contributed to IEC/TC9 Plenary Meeting in Stockholm.

Nov. 6

21st RTRI Lecture in Tokyo.

Nov. 17

Large-Scale Shaking Table Test Facility completed.

Nov. 19-21 8th China-Korea-Japan Railway Research Technical Meeting in Kunitachi.

Industrial Properties
Independently Owned

Jointly Owned

Total

Patents

1153

963

2116

Utility Models

0

0

0

Designs

34

9

43

Total

1187

972

2159
(as of Jan. 31, 2009)

Number of Foreign Patents
Number of Countries where Patents are Registered61

145(as of Jan. 31, 2009)

Appendix

Number of Registered Patents

31

Appendix
Annual Report 2008
32

Recognition Record
DateAward WinnerAward

Accomplishment

April 9, 2008

Railway TechnicalResearch InstituteSpecial Award, 37th Japan
Industrial Technology Judging
Committee

Development and Practical Application of NIKKEI KOGYO SHIMBUN
a New Tunnelling Construction Methodthat Has Combined NATM and the Shield
Tunnelling Method

April 15, 2008

Kimiaki SASAKI

Science Technology Award:
Development Division

Deveropment of Vibration Control
system by Variable Damping Device forRailway Vehaicles

April 29, 2008

Masaru TATEYAMA Medal with Purple Ribbon

May 2, 2008

Railway TechnicalResearch InstituteInvention Achievement
Contribution Award

Development and Implement of a Ladder Japan Institute of Invention
Track System
and Innovation

May 2, 2008

Hajime WAKUI,
Nobuyuki
MATSUMOTO

Japan Patent Attorneys’
Association Presidential Award

Invention of a Ladder Track System

Japan Institute of Invention
and Innovation

May 2, 2008

Kimitoshi ASHIYA,
Shinji SATO

Invention Award

Invention of a Method of Estimating
Early Earthquake Parameters by a Single
Seismic Observation Point

Japan Institute of Invention
and Innovation

May 22, 2008

Mitsuyoshi
FUKUDA, Natsuki
TERADA

Railway Electrical Engineering
Award

Improvement of an Analysis Method
for Electromagnetic Shielding Effect of a
Mountain Tunnel

Railway ElectricalEngineering Association

May 22, 2008

Mitsuyoshi
FUKUDA

Society Magazine Excellent Work Shunting Phenomenon in Track Circuits
Award

Railway ElectricalEngineering Association ofJapan

May 23, 2008

Norimichi
KUMAGAI and 34
other persons

Letter of Thanks

Japan Railway Engineer's
Association

May 30, 2008

Nobuyuki
Tanaka Prize, Japan Society of
MATSUMOTO,
Civil Engineers, FY 2007
Hajime WAKUI,Masamichi SOGABE

A Dynamic Interaction Analysis Model for Japan Society of Civil
Railway Vehicles and Structures Which
Engineers
Takes into Account Non-Linear Response

May 30, 2008

Akihito KAZATO

Autumn Most Excellent LectureAward, FY 2007

Vertical Vibration Suppression of Railway Japan Fluid Power System
Vehicle with Air Spring Installed OrificeSociety
Control ValveMay 30, 2008

Yukihiro
TANIMURA

Award for Best Paper, FY2007

Experimental Study on Pile Head Joint
using Steel Pipe

July 11, 2008

Toshiya
TADOKORO

30th Concrete Engineering
Experimental Research on the Fracture
Lecture Annual Paper Promotion Properties of a Rigid-Frame Viaduct
Award
Column Damaged by an Earthquake

August 28,
2008

Taketoshi
KUNIMATSU

Excellent Paper Award, The
A prediction System of Train Operation The Institute of ElectricalEngineers of Japan
Institute of Electrical Engineers of Time and Passengers' route Choice
Japan, FY 2007
Behaviour in the Face of Unexpected
Disturbance of Train Operation
Considering the Presence of Guidance for
Passenger

October 20,
2008

Hiroki NAGASAWA International Standardization
Business Prize by Minister of
Economy, Trade and Industry

October 20,
2008

Hideki SHIGEEDA

Incentive Award for International Contribution to Activities for International Ministry of Economy, Trade
Standards
and Industry
Standardization by Industrial
Science and Technology Policy
and of the Environment Bureau
Director

November 2,2008

Masahiro SUZUKI

The 2008 certificate of merit for Flow Simulation Around a Circular
The Japan Society ofbest presentation
Cylinder Covered with a Porous Material Mechanical Engineers

November 3,
2008

Mitsuo ABOSHI

Shibusawa Award

November 6,
2008

Keisuke SATO,
9th Railway Freight Promotion
Chikara HIRAI,
Excellent Award
Naoto FUKUMURA

Contribution to the Authors of"Interdisciplinary Technology"

Vital work for the Development ofIndustrial Standards

Sponsoring Organization

Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology

Japan Society of Civil
Engineers
Japan Concrete Institute

Ministry of Economy, Tradeand Industry

Contribution to Improving the Safety of Japan Electric Associarion
Current Collection Facilities of Electrified
Train Lines
Development of a Prototype System for
Rescheduling of Freight Train Drivers

Railway Freight Promotion
Award Operating
Committee

Award WinnerAward

Accomplishment

Sponsoring Organization

November 21, Masaru
2008
IWAMATSU,
Hiroshi SEINOBest Technical Contribution
Award

Basic Study of Bogie Structures to Reduce The Japan Society of Applied
Electromagnetics andSuperconducting Magnet Vibration in
Mechanics
Maglev

November 21, Yoshiki MIYAZAKI
2008

Incentive Award

Fundamental Examination of Rail
Inspections for Railway by SQUID

November 26, Mitsuo ABOSHI
2008

Electrical Science and Engineering Development of Contact Wire Wear
Promotion Award
Detection Side Equipment by Image
Analysis

March 18, 2009 Satoshi KADOWAKI Excellent Presentation Award,
The Institute of ElectricalEngineers of Japan, the2008Annual Meeting, FY 2007

The Japan Society of Applied
Electromagnetics andMechanics

Annual Report 2008

Date

Promotion Foundation
for Electrical Science andEngineering

Economic Evaluation of the Contact-wire- The Institute of Electricalless LRT Applied to the Extended Railway Engineers of Japan

Newly Installed Testing Facilities in 2008
[Large-scale Shaking Table]
A large-scale shaking table was constructed in
November 2008. This facility is able to simulate
two-dimensional earthquake motions with a seis-

Static pressure coupling

Shaking table
Accumulator

Y-axis vibration exciter

X-axis vibration exciter

Floating foundation
Outer foundation

mic intensity of 7. Using this facility, shaking testsof scale models of civil engineering structures,
full-scale track segments and full-scale vehicle
X-axisdirection

bogies can be conducted. The maximum dis-Y-axisdirection

placement amplitude of the facility is ± 1.0 m,
and maximum loading capacity is 490 kN. The
foundations of the facility were isolated from theground in order not to transmit vibration to thesurrounding residential area.

Fall-prevention device
Levitation device

Seismic isolation bearing

Construction of the vibration test machine[Station Mock-up]
A full-scale station mock-up was constructed in February 2008. It was constructed in order to determine the optimum patterns of passenger
flows, to obtain the know-how for maintaining a comfortable temperature environment and to ensure a good acoustic environment. The
mock-up was built as it is difficult to conduct tests and surveys in real station facilities.

Appendix33

Appendix

RTRI ReportVol. No.

TitlesVol.22
No.4
Apr. 2008

Special Features: Materials Technorogy
REVIEW: Recent Trend of Research and Development on Materials for Railway
PAPERS: Development of Axle Bearing Rotary Shaft Lip Seal for Speed-up of Shinkansen
PAPERS: Extension of Grease Service Life for Improved Grease Pocket
PAPERS: Improvement of Frictional Property of Cast-Iron Brake Shoes by Combining SiC Filters
PAPERS: Development of Earth Device for Freight Car's Plain Bearing
PAPERS: Evaluation of Dark Spot Resistance of Bainitic Steel Rail in Long-Term Durability Test
PAPERS: Investigation on Rail Pad Impact Load Response Characterization by the Impact Load Test
PAPERS: Preparation and Properties of Environmentally Conscious Concrete Using Geopolymer Method
PAPERS: Improvement of the Superconducting Properties of High-temperature Superconductors with a Technique to Impregnate
Bi-Pb-Sn-Cd Alloys and Resins
PAPERS: Electrical and Mechanical Property Tests of Superconducting Traction Transformer for Railway Rolling StockVol.22
No.5
May 2008

Special Features: Research on Environment Technology
REVIEW: Recent Studies on Environmental Technology along Waysides of Railways
PAPERS: Wind Tunnel Experiments on Reducing Separated Flow Region around Front Ends of Cars of Narrow Gauge Railway Lines
PAPERS: The Aerodynamic Noise Reduction by Porous Materials and Application to a Current Collector
PAPERS: Analytical Study on Vibration and Acoustic Characteristics of Railway Wheels with Different Shapes
PAPERS: An Investigation on the Influence of Wheel and Track Parameters upon Rolling Noise
PAPERS: Vibration Reduction Effect of Softer Rail Pads for High Speed Trains
PAPERS: Assessment of the Effects of Airborne Microorganisms on Indoor Air Quality of Railway Stations
PAPERS: Evaluation of Mutagenicity by Exposure to Intermediate Frequency Magnetic Fields in in Vitro
OTHER PAPERS: Countermeasures Against Flow-Induced Vibration of Train in Tunnel by Use of Modifications of Train Shapes
OTHER PAPERS: Characteristics of Wind Velocity Distribution over Embankment in Turbulent Boundary Layer Obtained byWind Tunnel ExperimentVol.22
No.6
Jun. 2008

Special Features: Transport Information Technology
REVIEW: Recent Research and Development on Transport Information Technologies
PAPERS: Development of the Algorithm for Train-set Scheduling
PAPERS: An Algorithm for the Train Stop Planning Problem
PAPERS: Development of a Method to Predict Passenger Numbers upon Resumption of Train Service
PAPERS: Development of Systems to Support Guarantee of Train Connection and Providing Information to Passengers at Midnight
PAPERS: Basic Study on and Prototyping of On-board Automatic Ticket Gate with Bi-parting Leaf Moving on a Vertical Plane
PAPERS: Development of a Sensor Data Collecting System for Health Monitoring of Railway Structures
PAPERS: Analysis on the Effectiveness of Transport Cost Reduction by Using Railway for Interregional Surface Freight
REVIEW: Current Status of Broadband Wireless Communication Technologies in Railways and Future Challenges to Them

Vol.22
No.7
Jul. 2008

Special Features: Human Factors
REVIEW: Human Scientific Approach to Railway Transport Research; Recent Topics and Potential Developments
PAPERS: New Psychological Aptitude Tests System for Train Operation Staff
PAPERS: Validity Improvement of the Prediction Method of Workload Evaluation for Train Drivers
PAPERS: Basic Study on a Passenger Evacuation Behavior with the Use of a Station-Simulator
PAPERS: Estimation of the Tolerance of Human Postual Stability to the Train Draft
PAPERS: An Effect of Decreased Duration of Train Departure Melody to Passengers' Behavior upon Train Boarding
PAPERS: A Suicide Behavior Model of Railway Suicides
PAPERS: An Effect to Safety due to Release of Obligatory Temporary-stops Passing Railroad Crossings
PAPERS: Design of Train Operation Information Display System that Informs Train Location to Passengers
PAPERS: Predicting Customer Satisfaction with Train Schedules

Annual Report 2008

Special Features: Track Technology
REVIEW: Subjects on Track Technology focussed on from Tribological Point of View
PAPERS: A New Design Method of Ballasted Track Taking into Consideration on Track Irregularity Growth
PAPERS: Estimation Method of Plastic Deformation of Ballasted Track under Cyclic Moving Wheel Loads by FE Analysis
Vol.22
PAPERS: Mechanism and Preventing Method of Sleeper Skewing
PAPERS: Development of Measurement Techniques for Dynamic Pressure on a Sleeper Bottom and Dynamic Behavior of Ballast
No.8
Stone Induced by Running Train
Aug. 2008
PAPERS: Performance Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Roadbed on Clay Subgrade
PAPERS: The Management Method for Large Wheel Load and Lateral Force Applying Axle-box Acceleration and Track Irregularity
PAPERS: Development of Position Adjustable Rail Fastener for Bridge Sleeper
PAPERS: Development of Gas Pressure Welding Method Applying Hydrogen Gas

34

Special Features: Vehicle Technology
REVIEW: Researches and Developments for Energy Saving of Rolling Stock
PAPERS: Fundamental Tests of Assist Steering System for Bolsterless Truck
PAPERS: Improving Rigidity of Railway Vehicle Carbody by Utilizing Non-Structural Members
PAPERS: Fundamental Examination of The Traction Motor Noise Evaluation Method Using Fluid Acoustic Analysis
Vol.22
PAPERS: Development of Method on Reduction of Surge Voltage on AC Railcar's Body
No.9
PAPERS: Development of a Dual Voltage Contact-wire/Battery Hybrid Power Conversion Circuit and Control Sequence
Sept. 2008
PAPERS: Development of a Quick Charge System at Tram Stops for Contact-wire-less LRVPAPERS: Development of a Measure to Suppress Temperature Rising of Batteries Boarded on a Contact-wire-less LRVPAPERS: Study on Cost of Contact-wire-less LRV to be Introduced
REVIEW: The Trend of Fuel Consumption Standard in Vehicular Traffic Field and an Effort Forward the Energy Saving
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE REPORT: Outline of Presentation Papers at WCRR2008

TitlesSpecial Features: Structures Technology
REVIEW: The Latest Achievements and Future Theme of Research and Development on Structural Technology
PAPERS: Renewal of Existing Railway Steel Bridges by Structural Improvement Composing with Concrete Slabs
PAPERS: Influence of Prestrain on Material Characteristics of An Aged Steel Material Used for Bridges
PAPERS: Evaluation Method for Shear Strength of Reinforced Concrete Beam Subjected to Antisymmetrical Moment
Vol.22
PAPERS: Seismic Response Characteristics and Seismic Design Method of the Platform Shed Constructed on Viaduct
PAPERS: Methodology to Predict Structure Damage and Vehicle Running Safety due to Earthquake
No.10
Oct. 2008 PAPERS: Rationalization of Shear Design Method for Upper Slabs of Caisson Foundation Based on Load Carrying Mechanism
PAPERS: A Calculation Method of Design Bearing Capacity of Piles for Several Construction Methods by Statistical Analysis of
Loading Test Data Base
PAPERS: Evaluation of Long-term Behavior by Finite Element Method of Rail Yard Embankment on Soft Ground
PAPERS: Development of Prediction Method of Tunnel Deformation Using the Time-dependent Ground Deterioration Model
PAPERS: Development on Tunnel Soundness Diagnosis System

Annual Report 2008

Vol. No.

Special Features: Maglev Technology and its Application
REVIEW: R&D on Superconducting Maglev and New Applicable Attempts on Conventional Railway System
PAPERS: Examination of Fundamental Characteristics of Vehicle Dynamics Using a Maglev Vehicle Model Experiment Apparatus
PAPERS: Fundamental Study on the Effect of High Frequency Vibration on Ride Comfort
PAPERS: Stress Evaluation on the PLG Ground Coil with FRP Fastening Devices
Vol.22
PAPERS: A Properties Measuring System for HTS Wires
No.11
PAPERS: Basic Characteristics of Rail Brake Systems Using Linear Motor Technology
Nov. 2008
PAPERS: Study of the Magnetic Bearing Consisting of Coupling of Superconductors Applicable to the Support Bearing of Flywheel
Energy Storage System
PAPERS: Study of Zero-sequence Harmonic Resonance in MAGLEV Feeding Circuit
OTHER PAPER: Estimation of Aerodynamic Force Affecting Vibration of Narrow Gauge Train Running Through Tunnel
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE REPORT: Outline of 2008 Applied Superconductivity Conference
Special Features: Power Supply Technology
REVIEW: Recent State of Researches on Power Supply Technology for Electric Railways
PAPERS: Evaluation of Resistance at Supporting Pulley of Messenger Wire and Its Influence on Current Collection Characteristics
PAPERS: Improvement of Mechanical Characteristics of AC Section Insulator
Vol.22
PAPERS: Development of Contact Loss Measuring System Using Ultraviolet Rays
No.12
PAPERS: Basic Study on Performance Upgrade of Pantograph Using Variable Stiffness
Dec. 2008
PAPERS: Feeding Protection Relay Applicable to 50Hz / 60Hz Dual Frequencies
PAPERS: Analysis Method and Abatement Measure of Electric Magnetic Fields Emitted from Electrified Railway Substations
PAPERS: Application of Automatic Generation Method of Drawing to Contact Line Specification Data Check Tool
OTHER PAPER: Methods of On-Demand Transport Scheduling and Their Application to Railway Freight Services
SpecialNo.52

Simulation Analysis on Derailment of Shinkansen Vehicles due to the Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake in 2004

Vol.23
No.1
Jan. 2009

Special Features: Signalling and Telecommunications Technology
REVIEW: Research and Development on Railway Signalling and Telecommunications Technologies
PAPERS: A Study on Evaluation Methods for Railway Signalling Systems from the View Point of Availability
PAPERS: A Method of Designing Railway Signalling System Based on RAMS Indicators
PAPERS: Effective Automatic Generation of an Interlocking Table by Presetting the Uncertainty Elements
PAPERS: An Influence of the Ground/Rail Potential Rise due to Lightning on Railway Signalling Equipments, and its Protection Measures
PAPERS: Tasks and Methods of Improving Lock System of the NS-A Type Electric Switching Machine
PAPERS: Detection of Slow-Speed-Notifying Signal from Front View of Train
PAPERS: Estimation Method of Frequency Characteristics of Transmission Loss in Loading Telecommunication Line and Its Application
PAPERS: Basic Study on a Method to Calculate Fluctuations of Strength of Radio Disturbance Wave Emitted from Railway Systems to Railway Side
PAPERS: Railway Fundamental Geospatial Data for National Spatial Data Infrastructure Applicable to Train Control
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT REPORT: An Outline of International Research Project on Enhancement of Level Crossing Safety

Vol.23
No.2
Feb. 2009

Special Features: Railway Dynamics
REVIEW: Recent Studies on Railways Dynamics
PAPERS: A Predictive Method of Wear Profile of Rail Head
PAPERS: Modeling Techniques for Three-Dimensional Discrete Element Analysis of A Conventional Ballasted Railway Track and Its Application
PAPERS: Equipment for Contact Loss Measurement by Detecting UV Ray
PAPERS: A Study on Aerodynamic Interference between a Panhead and an Articulated Frame by Applying CFD Technique
PAPERS: Development of A Ballasted Ladder Track Equipped with A Vehicle Guide Device
PAPERS: Evaluation of Displacement Control Method for Shinkansen RC Rigid-frame Viaduct during Earthquake
PAPERS: Development of Silent Steel Railway Bridge Equipped with Floating Ladder Track and Floating Reinforced-Concrete Deck
PAPERS: New Experimental Device to Investigate Creep Force between Wheel and RailAppendix

Special Features: Disaster Prevention Technology
REVIEW: Recent State of Research and Development on Disaster Prevention Technology
PAPERS: An Estimation Method of the Probability that A Train Encounter the Gust in An Operating Section
PAPERS: A Method to Calculate Probability of Rainfall-related Slope Failures
Vol.23
PAPERS: A Method of Determining Priorities for Investment in Disaster Prevention for Rainfall-related Slope Failures
No.3
PAPERS: An Estimating Method for Scouring Apprehended Bride Piers and the Analysis of the Occurrence Factor
Mar. 2009
PAPERS: Development of Deflector to Decrease Snow-Accretion to Truck of a Vehicle
PAPERS: Method of Evaluating Snow Resistance Working Against Snowplow by Model Experiment
PAPERS: New Seismic Parameters and Their Application to Railway System
PAPERS: Assessment of Physical Property Values based on Lithostratigraphic Classification of Sandy Ground
More information is available on the following website.
URL: http://www.rtri.or.jp/infoce/rtrirep_E.html

35

Appendix

Quarterly Report of RTRI
Vol. No.

TitlesVol.49No.2
May 2008

Development of Sheet-Pile Foundation that Combines Footing with Sheet Piles
Proposal of Guideline for Judgment of Adjacent Level on Adjacent Construction of Existing Tunnels
Evaluation of Response Spectrum Considering the Stochastic Characteristics of the Phase Spectrum of Earthquake Motion
Evaluation Method for Air Pressure Variation and Station Facility Member Deterioration Caused by High-Speed Train Passage in Stations
Development of Simple Catenary Equipment Using PHC Contact Wire for Shinkansen
Development of Transition Structures between Overhead Rigid Conductor Line and Catenary-Type Contact Line
High-resistance Grounding Fault Detector by Use of Feeding Current
Reduction of Vibrations in Maglev Vehicles Using Active Primary and Secondary Suspension Cotrol
Durability Evaluation Tests of Mold Resin for Ground CoilForce Density of Magnetic Bearings Using Superconducting Coils and Bulk Superconductors

Vol.49No.3
Aug. 2008

Evaluation of Environmental Pollution Caused by Heavy Metal Elements in Natural GroundPrediction of Strong Ground Motion over Wide Areas by Coupling the Stiffness Matrix Method and FEM Analysis
A Method of Predicting the Shape and Scale of Rainfall-related Embankment Collapse
Study on Quantifying and Reducing Electrical Resistance between Wheels and Rails
Evaluation of Train Control Method Using Prediction Control
Application of Formal Methods to Signalling Systems Using Techniques Based on Stepwise Refinement
Numerical Analysis Focusing on the Running Safety of an Improved Bogie during Seismic Vibration
Development of the U-Doppler Non-contact Vibration Measuring System for Diagnosis of Railway Structures
Evaluation Method of Low-Frequency Aeroacoustic Noise Source Structure Generated by Shinkansen PantographVol.49No.4
Nov. 2008

Structure of an Independent-wheel-system Bogie with a DDM and its Performance at High Speed
Boosting Input Voltage of Traction Inverter Using Energy Storage Equipment and its Energy-saving Performance
An Air Spring Model with Non-Linear Damping for Vertical Motion
Evaluation Method of the Limit State of Collapse for Viaduct Columns Subjected to Repetitive Seismicity
Quakeproof Reinforcement Method of Brick Pier Supported by Old Foundation
Nonlinear Hysteresis Model Considering Strength Degradation by Cyclic Loading for RC Members
An Improved Grease Pocket for Extended Grease Service Life
Development of Axle Bearing Lip-type Seal for High-speed Shinkansen Vehicles
Development of Earth Device for Freight Car’s Plain Bearing

Vol.50No.1
Feb. 2009

The Influence of Railway Freight Transport on Logistics Costs
A Train Stop Deployment Planning Algorithm Using a Petri-net-based Modelling Approach
Sensor Data Collection System for Health Monitoring of Railway Structures
Wind Tunnel Experiments on Reducing Separated Flow Region Around Front Ends of Vehicles on Meter-Gauge Railway Lines
Aerodynamic Noise Reduction using Porous Materials and their Application to High-speed Pantographs
The Influence of Wheel and Track Paramaters on Rolling NoiseA New Set of Psychological Aptitude Tests for Train Operation Staff
Safety Considerations Regarding the Abolition of Compulsory Stopping before Entering Railrord Crossings
Tolerance Estimation of Human Postural Stability against Train Drafts
More information is available on the following website.
URL: http://www.rtri.or.jp/infoce/qr_E.html

Annual Report 2008

Monthly Presentations

36

Date
Apr. 14, 2008
May 29, 2008
Jun. 18, 2008
Jul. 16, 2008
Aug. 20, 2008
Sept. 17, 2008
Oct. 16, 2008
Dec. 11, 2008

Number
211th
212th
213th
214th
215th
216th
217th
218th

Jan. 15, 2009

219th

Feb. 18, 2009
Mar. 18, 2009

220th
221th

Main Theme
Recent R&D on Power Supply Technology
Recent R&D on Vehicle Technology
Recent R&D on Signalling & Telecommunications Technology
Recent R&D on Disaster Prevention Technology
Resent R&D on Materials Technology
Latest Measurement Technologies on Railway Dynamics
Recent R&D on Vehicle Technology
Recent R&D on Structural Technology
Simulation Analysis on Seismic Motion and Running Behavior of
Vehicle during the Mid Niigata Prefecture Earthquake in 2004
Resent R&D on Transport Information Technology
Resent R&D on Human Science

Venue
Oval Hall (Osaka)
STeC Information Building (Shinjuku)
Kogakuin University (Shinjuku)
Kogakuin University (Shinjuku)
Kogakuin University (Shinjuku)
Kogakuin University (Shinjuku)
Oval Hall (Osaka)
Kogakuin University (Shinjuku)
Kogakuin University (Shinjuku)
Kogakuin University (Shinjuku)
Kogakuin University (Shinjuku)

No.

TitlesThe Need for Balance and Co-operation in Railway Technologies
Development of Contact-Wire/Battery Hybrid LRV
Human Factor Analysis Method for Improving Safety Management
Evaluation of Compression Behavior of the End-Structure of Intermediate Car
A Properties Measuring System for HTS Wires

No.22-23,
Jul. 2008

Annual Report 2008

Railway Technology Avalanche (Newsletter of RTRI)

Special Issue: WCRR2008 in Seoul
A Report on WCRR 2008
Damage Evaluation of Railway Structures Based on Train-Induced Secondary AE Parameters
Development of an Assisted Steering Bogie System for Reducing Lateral Forces Exerted on the Track
Experimental Reproduction of Wheel Thermal Cracks
Study of Under-Floor Air Flow to Reduce the Phenomenon of Flying Ballast
Vibration Reduction Methods for Superconducting Maglev Vehicles
Effects of Current Collection Noise and Lineside Obstructions on GPS Signal Reception
A Method to Measure the Pantograph Contact Force on the Overhead Catenary System
Development of Friction Moderating System to Improve Wheel/Rail Interface in Sharp Curves

No.24,
Sept. 2008

Research and Development for the Safety of Railways against Natural Disasters
Technical Discussion of LRT without Contact Wires
Development of a Damage Detection System for Structural Members in the Ground
Preventing Fatigue Breakage of Contact Wires
Research to Evaluate the Remaining Service Life of Aged Rails
Train Operation Control Indices for Use during Earthquakes in Japan

No.25,
Dec. 2008

The Progress of the RTRI's Five-Year Master Plan
UIC Panel of Structural Experts Meeting and Exchange Seminar in Japan
A Study of Evaluation Methods for Railway Signalling Systems from the Viewpoint of Availability
A Method for Failure Detection Based on Monitoring Data from Existing Facilities
Long-Term Field Durability Testing and Practical Application of Shelling Damage-Resistant Bainite Rail
Measurement and Discrete Three-Dimensional Modeling Techniques of Dynamic Behavior of Ballasted Track

No.26,
Mar. 2009

Commercialising the Results of Research
Collaboration with the Rail Safety and Standards Board in the U.K.
Predicting Landslides a Few Months in Advance of Their Occurrence by Observing the Chemical Composition of Groundwater
Improvement for Provision of Information upon Suspended Train Services
Development of a Cooling System for High-Temperature Superconducting Traction Transformer for Railway Rolling Stocks
An Ultrasonic Flaw Detector for Hollow Axles of Narrow-Gauge Railway Cars
More information is available on the following website.
URL: https://entry.rtri.or.jp/index.html

RTRI Lecture
Main Theme: Transcending Technical Boundaries - Toward Harmonization and Intellectualization of the Railway System Date:

November 6, 2008 (Thursday) 10:00 to 17:10

Venue:

Yurakucho Asahi Hall (Yurakucho Marion, 11th Floor)

Titles<Invited Lecture>
Challenge to Research Beyond Boundaries - An Attempt on
Cross-Industrial Research Involving Researchers from Other
Industries<Keynote Lecture>
Research Integration for Better Railway System
Dynamics of Vehicle/Track/Structure System
Interdisciplinary Technology on the Overhead Contact
Line/Pantograph System

Speakers
Yoshihiro SUDA

Professor, Institute of Industrial Science, The University ofTokyo

Norimichi KUMAGAI Executive Director, RTRI
Hiroaki ISHIDA
Mitsuru IKEDA

Interdisciplinary Technology on the Wheel/Rail System

Akira NAMURA

Harmonization with Wayside Environment

Masanori IIDA
Ikuo WATANABE
Hiroaki SUZUKI

Director, Railway Dynamics Division, RTRI
Senior Researcher, Laboratory Head, Current Collection,
Railway Dynamics Division, RTRI
Senior Researcher, Laboratory Head, Track Dynamics,
Railway Dynamics Division, RTRI
Senior Researcher, Laboratory Head, Aerodynamics,
Environmental Engineering Division, RTRI
Director, Signalling & Telecommunications Technology
Division, RTRI
Director, Human Science Division, RTRI

Appendix

Interdisciplinary Technology on Train Control/Signalling and
Telecommunications Systems
Interaction between Humans and Systems

Affiliates

37Appendix

Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures (Excerpt)‫ ع‬Basic policy for promoting global warming countermeasures
RTRI organized “The Global Environment Committee,” and it has since been making concerted efforts aimed at conservationof the global environment. In particular, by promoting the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, RTRI emphasizes the activities ofraising awareness among its employees, improving the efficiency of electrical systems, adopting energy-saving equipment, andpromoting and encouraging a policy of reuse, reduce and recycle. RTRI combines these activities with the measures establishedduring the basic fiscal year period, and it will implement greenhouse gas reduction measures accounting for 6% of the basic
discharge by FY2009.

‫ ع‬Expected total discharge of greenhouse gases in FY2009 (the final fiscal year in thescheduled period)
3,502 tonnes‫ ع‬Target for the expected total discharge of greenhouse gases
Within the scheduled period, countermeasures will reduce the discharge of greenhouse gases by 193 tonnes.

Report of Discharge of Greenhouse Gases in FY2008 (Excerpt)
1. Scheduled period for Global Warming Countermeasures
FY2005 to FY2009

2. Results for the total discharge of greenhouse gases• Total discharge of greenhouse gases in preceding fiscal year
[CO2]3,544 tonnes• Total basic discharge and changes in the total discharge of greenhouse gases compared with preceding fiscal years

Total discharge
Increase-decrease rate to the basic dischargeBasicdischarge

First fiscal
year

Second fiscal Third fiscal
year
year

3,695

3,622

3,191

-

2%

14%

Fourth fiscal
year

Fifth fiscal
year

3,692

3,544

-

0%

4%

-

3. Progress of actions relating to the elimination of discharges of greenhouse gases
Basic measures
Progress of actions in eachcountermeasure category(Implementation of the action)

Partly completed
Operative measures(included in the basic measures)

Annual Report 2008

Target measures

38

Partly implemented
Partly implemented

Estimated reduction achieved(by the target measures)

102 tonnes CO2

Estimated reduction rate(by the target measures)

2.7 %Reduction achieved by the target measures

Target reduction rate

3.2 %

4. Summary of progress of actions relating to the elimination of discharges of greenhousegases
At RTRI, the discharge of greenhouse gases caused by the consumption of electric power has reached 98% of the total discharge ofgreenhouse gases. Because of this, RTRI is focusing on a reduction in power consumption. The plan to reduce power consumption
shows good progress in FY2008 through the adoption of high efficiency lamps (ceramic metal halide lamps) in the laboratory,
the introduction of low-loss transformers, the control of air-conditioner temperature setting levels, etc. Compared with power
consumption in the basic fiscal year, consumption in FY2008 was reduced by 3.8%. In addition, the estimated reduction rate (inthe progress table) has reached 2.7%.

5. Policy for actions during this fiscal year and in succeeding fiscal years
RTRI will implement the following measures to achieve further energy savings:• Replacement of fluorescent lamps to inverter lighting types;• Change to high efficiency lamps (ceramic metal halide lamps) in the laboratory;• Adoption of low-loss transformers;• Control of air-conditioner temperature setting levels.

(FY2008=2008.4.1-2009.3.31)
Copyright© 2009 by the Railway Technical Research Institute. All rights reserved.

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

Editorial OfficeKen-yusha, Inc.
1-45-9, Hikari-cho, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo 185-0034, Japan
URL: http://www.kenf.or.jp/en/
Editorial Members:(RTRI) Michiko NOZUE, Noriko KUBO, Hisashi TANAKA, Nobuyuki MATSUMOTO, Hiroshi TANAKA(Ken-yusha) Hiroko OKUDA, Hiroshi FUJIMOTO

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