Derailment mechanism analysis of subway vehicles under air spring failure

• Develop & validate vehicle–train models with air-spring-failure mechanism. • Actual derailment site measured and analyzed. • Identify transition-exit as critical; lateral displacement a risk indicator. • Evaluate mitigations: longer guard rails + lubrication significantly cut risk. To analyze the derailment mechanism of a subway train under air spring failure conditions and to identify improvement measures, this study first establishes a dynamic train model according to the actual train formation. Subsequently, equivalent models for air spring failure are introduced. Finally, based on wheel–rail derailment theory and vehicle system dynamics, a comparative analysis is conducted under both normal (inflated) and failed air spring conditions to investigate key factors influencing the derailment mechanism. Corresponding improvement measures are then proposed. The results indicate that: (1) with air spring failure, curve transition derails the train; (2) multiple factors can effectively lower derailment risks; (3) large lateral creep force and attack angle are not necessary conditions for flange climbing; and (4) installing guard rails at curve exits and applying lubrication to the rails can effectively reduce flange climbing risk under air spring failure. This study provides valuable insights for subway track design and for mitigating derailment risks in the event of air spring failure.