Superelevation | |||||
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(http://www.trackplanning.com/superelevation.htm) |
Banked Curves |
Superelevation refers to cross slope introduced into the cross section of a roadway in order to compensate for the centrifugal forces created by horizontal curves. A track is said to be superelevated when one rail is higher than the other through a curve. Raising one rail tilts the train as it passes over, banking it into the turn much like an airplane. This allows the train to transit the curve at higher speeds and greater comfort than possible without superelevation. But it is more interesting to see the reaction on a highway setting with
a banked curve. (http://oldsci.eiu.edu/physics/DDavis/1150/05UCMGrav/Curve.html) |
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