The real-world friction conditions in railway tracks are investigated using advanced experimental techniques. The railways research group  was amont the first in emplying a specialised tribometer for railway tracks, known as  On-Track Tribometer." This tribometer is designed to measure rolling friction coefficients under controlled conditions. The device utilises a scaled steel wheel to evaluate rolling friction while enabling the condideration of different creepages.  

The research group have conducted extensive experimental campaigns to measure rolling friction coefficients on tramway lines and metro tracks. Our studies focus on analysing the effects of lubrication on friction conditions. The apparatus make it possible to assess the extent of lubrication applied to rails, studying how friction values vary with increasing distance from the lubrication point.

The experimentally derived adhesion curves reveal significant variability in the measured values, reflecting the complex dynamics of real-world friction scenarios.

On Track Tribo mesauring friction coefficient on rail corner.