Shaping the turnout diverging track with nonlinear curvature for enhanced speed

Abstract: In the paper an attempt has been made to concentrate attention on shaping the variable curvature in the diverging track of the railway turnout. Making use of some earlier studies, solutions provided with a circular arc in the mid-zone, and in the extreme regions with segments of nonlinear curvature of equal length and zero curvature at the start and end of the turnout, have been assumed as models. The most advantageous choice of the type of curvature has been made taking into account the kinematic conditions. A presentation made includes an analytical record of the curvature and the tangent inclination angle in the diverging track length and the Cartesian coordinates of the track. The final part of the paper referred to the determination of a set of some basic magnitudes relating to geometric parameters appropriate for a given speed of trains and adequate to ensure the minimization of the length of the entire turnout at a given final ordinate. Keywords: Railway turnouts; Diverging track; Curvature modelling; Selection of geometrical parameters