Analysis of a ride comfort for passengers in a multiple unit powered by an ecological hydrogen powertrain

Abstract A current in transport means development reflects strict requirements for low gas emissions emitted during transport means operation. Railway transport is also influenced by these demands. Therefore, there are efforts to reduce combustion of fossil fuels and to find new alternative sources for rail vehicles with an independent traction. Hydrogen fuel cells are one of a possible way to replace diesel engines rail vehicles. The goal of the presented research is to evaluate ride comfort for passengers in a multiple unit, which is powered by hydrogen powertrain. The research is based on computer simulations. A multiple unit is created in a commercial multibody simulation software. Ride comfort is evaluated by means of acceleration signals in a selected location of a multiple unit. Acceleration signals are processed, i.e. filtered and weighted, according to the corresponding standard. Representative railway track sections, on which it is considered a multiple unit will operate are chosen for simulations. These railway tracks sections are chosen from a railway network of a particular country. These railway sections are marked as Track A and Track B. The simulation computations were performed for several running speeds, at which, the research results are presented for running speeds of 60 km/h and 80 km/h for the Track A and for running speeds of 50 km/h and 70 km/h for the Track B. The research results showed that the ride comfort for passenger in the evaluated multiple unit equipped with the hydrogen powertrain is fully accepted for long-term operation.