Comparative Analysis of Ride Comfort and Derailment Indicators for a Five-Module Low-Floor Tram with Different Traction Bogie Configurations Using Multibody Dynamics

The arrangement of traction bogies plays a significant role in the dynamic performance of low-floor tram vehicles by influencing ride comfort and wheel–rail interaction behavior. This study presents a comparative multibody dynamics analysis of a five-module low-floor tram considering three representative traction layouts: a fully motorized configuration with four motor bogies, a lightweight fully motorized configuration with reduced motor-bogie mass, and a mixed configuration combining two motor bogies with two trailer bogies. A detailed SIMPACK model is developed, incorporating nonlinear wheel–rail contact, suspension systems, and articulated carbody connections. The three configurations are evaluated under identical operating scenarios to isolate the effects of traction bogie distribution and powered-bogie mass characteristics. Ride comfort and derailment-related characteristics are assessed based on carbody acceleration responses and wheel–rail force indicators. Results show that the mixed motor–trailer configuration provides improved ride comfort and more favorable derailment-related responses, highlighting traction bogie arrangement as an important design parameter.