RWTH Aachen University, Germany. Institute for Rail Vehicles.
Acronym: RWTH E-mail: sekretariat@ifs.rwth-aachen.de
Telephone: +49 (0)241 80-25560
Address: Research Center Railways (RCR), RWTH Aachen University, Seffenter Weg 8, 52074 Aachen, Germany
The Institute of Rail Vehicles and Transport Systems (IFS) at RWTH Aachen University is dedicated to advancing innovation and research in the rail sector. As one of the founding institutes of the Research Center Railways (RCR), established in 2017 in collaboration with the Institute of Transport Science (VIA) and the Institute of Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA), IFS plays a crucial role in shaping the future of rail transport.
The institute’s work, through RCR, focuses on developing innovative concepts for rail vehicles, running gear, and other essential rail components. In addition to design and engineering, IFS conducts extensive research in areas such as vehicle dynamics and the complex interactions between wheel and rail. These contributions are aimed at driving innovation and sustainability in rail transportation systems.
RWTH Aachen University abbreviation for Rheinisch Westfälische Hochschule Aachen, with 44.000 students it is the largest University in Germany. The focus of the RWTH innovations and resources project is characterized by technology, expertise, infrastructure, human capital, partnerships, and capital and to make them available to RWTH entrepreneurs. The department Research Center Railways (RCR) has the focus on research in rail sector, this is founded in 2017 by the Institute of Transport Science (VIA), the Institute of Rail Vehicles and Transport Systems (IFS) and the Institute of Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA) at RWTH Aachen University. The RCR groupis not only developing innovative concept for vehicles, running gear and other rail vehicle components but also, they are doing research in the vehicle dynamics, wheel/ rail – interaction.
- Professor Dr.-Ing. Christian Schindler, Universityprofessor, Institute Head and Executive Director of the RCR.
Main Research Areas: Development of innovative concepts for vehicles, running gears and other rail vehicle components, vehicle dynamics, wheel/rail- interaction, structural integrity, assisded, automated and autonomous operation (3A)
Infrastructure: Laboratory Hall with pit and crane for full-scale rail vehicles, 400 m of own track with access to DB track, 1 Locomotive, 2 self propelled cargo wagons, one passenger coach, a wheel roller rig and a single axle roller rig. Funded projects: participation in EU project (no project lead), BMBF/BMVI-Projects, DFG-Projects
Industry projects: national and international,
Skills: Desgn methodology, Finite Element Analysis, Multibody Dynamics, Test Rig and Field Measuring,
A selection of projects, activities and papers:
- Schindler (Editor and Co-Author) et al.: Handbuch Schienenfahrzeuge, DVV Media Group, Eurailpress Hamburg, 576 S.
Lekue, J.; Dörner, F.; Schindler, C.: Multiscale finite element modeling of wheel-rail rough normal contact measurements using pressure measurement film, Tribology Transactions, Taylor & Francis. Published before print 03 May 2018. doi: 10.1080/10402004.2018.1460433
Nießen, N.; Schindler, C.; Vallée, D.: Assisted, automatic or autonomous operation – potential for rail traffic. ETR – International Edition (2017) 1, p. 10-14
Bettinger, T.; Schindler, C.: Ride Comfort Evaluation for Tramways including Non-Stationary Operational States. In J. Pombo, (Editor): Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Railway Technology: Research, Development and Maintenance, Civil-Comp Press, Stirlingshire, UK, Paper 311, 2016. doi:10.4203/ccp.110.311