Identification and monitoring of Out-Of-Roundness of a metro vehicle by means of acoustic measurements

Wheel wear and damage issues can be particularly serious in metro vehicles. Whatever their origin, Out-of-Roundness (OOR) wheel tread irregularities are responsible for high wheel-rail contact forces, originating abnormal levels of noise and vibration in most of the vehicle and track components. In this paper a methodology based on acoustic detection of abnormal noise level within the passenger compartment is shown. Results are discussed with advantages and limitations compared to a number of other techniques.