Railway Curves

Transition Curves

By
Anurag Rastogi
Prof/Track Machine
 Transition Curve
• An easement curve of varying curvature
• Introduced between straight & curved track to
facilitate gradual change of
 Curvature
 Super-elevation
-from Straight Track to Curved Track
• To avoid discomfort to passengers and safe
operations
Transition Curves

Curve
Shift
 Requirements of Transition Curves

1) Transition shall be tangential to the straight as well

as circular curve
– Radius infinity at junction with straight
– Radius R at junction with circular curve

Circular
Tangential
curve
Straight
Transition curve
Requirements of Transition Curves contd..

2) Following shall vary uniformly with distance over

transition length
• Curvature (1/R)
• Versine
• Cant
so that corresponding to produced centrifugal
forces, Cant is provided for the Centripetal force.
 Transition Curves
•The spiral (Clothoid), which changes
the direction angle (curvature)
uniformly along length, is the ideal (?)
transition
–i.e. L ∝ 1/R (curvature)
 Transition Curves
• Cubic Parabola – rate of change of curvature is
uniform with the distance on X direction
– i.e. X ∝ 1/R
• There is not much
difference in the layout Cubic
Parabola
of a spiral and cubic
parabola until the
deflection from straight
Spiral
is approximately 4m and
deflection angle up-to
12° (Due to large Radius) X
 Transition Curves

• On Indian Railways for Transition Curves, it is

cubical parabola with the equation:
Y = KX3  (Y= X3/6R*L)
is adopted as the same is easy to lay
 Other Transitioning options

• For lower speeds, cubic parabola is easy to lay & an ideal transition
• For high speeds, higher order curves like seventh or ninth parabola
or sinusoid have better performance
Shift in Transition Curves)

Shift

Transition Curves

Inserting Transition Curves

 Shift Due to Transition Curve
Circular
Circular Curve Without
Curve With Transition
Extended Circular Transition
Curve

C D B

Transition Curve,
S H Tangent
y= x3/6RL

S/2

A L/2 F L/2 G

Shift = S = BG-DE=L2/24R BG=L2/6R

DE=L2/8R
 Key Design Parameters for
Transition Curves

Rate of Change of
Actual Cant (RCa) mm/s,

Cant Deficiency (RCd) mm/s,

Cant Gradient (i) mm/m;

Desirable Versine and Cant Diagram

Cubic Parabola – Curvature/versine changes linearly

v Ca

Transition Transition

Cant variation – Linear Transition (Linear ramp)

Cubic Parabola – Ease in setting/laying/maintaining

Relationship between Cd & ULA
• When Ca < Ceq for a given speed, Cant deficiency (Cd
)will be experienced by the moving vehicle
• Then Cd = Ceq - Ca
• → Cd = (GV2/gR) - (G Va2/gR)
= G/g {(V2 - Va2 )/R}
Cd = G*∆p/g or ∆p = Cd * g/G i.e ∆p α Cd
Where V= actual speed of train, Va = Eq. speed
corresponding to Cant Ca
∆p=unbalanced lateral acceleration (ULA)
Length of Transition Curve
 Length of Transition Curve

A. Comfort Criteria: Presence of cant deficiency or

unbalanced lateral acceleration causes discomfort to
passengers. Hence the same to be introduced gradually.
(I) Rate of Change of ULA or Cd (RCd)
– As per comfort criteria, Rate of Change of ULA should be less
than 0.03g / s = 0.3m/s3 (recommended) but < 0.46 m/s3

Cd  0 G p  0  where

  
m/s3
 
RCd  Cd / t 
L
V
 
g L 
 V 
(Δp -0) /(L/V) = Δp/ (L/V) = 0.3
 Length of Transition Curve

• Comfort Criteria: (I) {Rate of Change of Cd (RC )} contd..

d

– Rate of Change of Cd , however, normally shall

not exceed 50 mm/sec

– Under Exceptional Circumstances it can be

increased to 60 mm/sec
 Length of Transition Curve
• Comfort Criteria -
(II) Rate of Change of Ca (RCa)
– Rate of change of Ca is just noticeable at 65-
75mm/sec but normally shall not exceed 50 mm
/sec ( same as RCd)
– Under Exceptional Circumstances it can be
increased to 60 mm /sec
 Length of Transition Curve

B. Safety Criteria : Cant Gradient (Twist)

Change of Cant along the length of transition
– Cant gradient causes twist in track
– Critical - longest rigid wheel base
– Cant gradient (i)
• Limited to 1.4 mm/m or 1 in 720
• In Exceptional Cases 2.8 mm/m or 1 in 360
• Future Layouts with 1 in 1200
 Length of Transition Curve

• Length of transition will be maximum of

L1 = C a * V m / R ca (RCa = Ca /(L/V))
or

L 2 = C d* V m / R C d (RCd = Cd /(L/V))
or

L3 = Ca / I (I= Ca /L)
 Length of Transition Curve

• Length of transition (As per ACS No. 10 of

IRPWM)will be maximum of

L1 = 0.0056 Ca* Vm (m, mm, kmph, RCa=50 mm/s)

or

L2 = 0.0056 Cd*Vm (m, mm, kmph, RCd=50 mm/s)

or

L3 = 0.72 Ca (m, mm, i = 1 in 720)

 Length of Transition Curve

• In exceptional circumstances, minimum

length of transition will be maximum of

5/6th of L1 (corresponds to RCa=60 mm/s)

or

5/6th of L2 (corresponds to RCd=60 mm/s)

or
 Limited Transition Length

• Speed on a transition curve is given by

L = Ca* Vm / Rca
Or Vm = Rca* L/ Ca = 3.6* Rca* L/ Ca km/h (Vm α 1/Ca)
• Speed on a circular curve is given by
Vm = 0.27√{(Ca+Cd)*R} km/h (Vm α √Ca)
When the length of transition is limited/fixed, both the
speeds to be equated for best result, keeping Ca = Cd
(as both RCa & RCd should be equal for best results,
para 405(5) of IRPWM)
If there is no Transition Curve ?

v Ca

Transition Transition

How to introduce v and Ca ?

 V Bogie centre

ul ar
i r c
C
F
F
Virtual Transition
?

R
F
m
~2

R The bogie experiences changing versine and

R the bogie length effectively becomes
transition length
t
i gh
ra
St
 Virtual Transition
Though it is the bogie which observes changing versine,
in actual situation, for the passengers, the virtual
transition takes place about the coach center (between
the two bogie centres) as coach is a rigid body.
Coach center
 Virtual Transition
• If there is no space for transition, circular curve immediately
follows the straight, the distance between bogie centers
becomes the transition virtually
• For BG - 14.6 M (Taken as 14.785m as per IRPWM)
• For MG - 13.7 M
• Cant is provided in virtual transition length
• half in straight and half in circular curve
• @1 in 360 (max. cant gradient)
max. cant = 14.785 * 2.8 = 40 mm (approx.)
However, Optimize Ca using -
Speed on transition = speed on circular
Where Rca & Rcd <= 35mm/s (normally) & <= 55mm/s
Designing a Circular Curve
 Design a curve ?
Determination of –
a) For a New Curve - Radius of curve (R), Cant (Ca)&
Transition length(L) for given Max. speed of
Express train & Min. Booked speed of Goods train
b)For Existing Curve – Cant (Ca), Maximum
permissible speed(Vmax.) and transition length (L)
for a given Curve of radius R, Max. speed of
Express train & Min. Booked Speed of Goods train.
 (SE=GV2/gR)

L1 = 0.0056 Ca* Vm (min. 5/6th) Rca-50mm/s & 60 mm/s

L2 = 0.0056 Cd* Vm (min. 5/6th) Rcd-50mm/s & 60 mm/s
L3 = 0.72 Ca (min. its 1/2) Cant gradient 1 in 720/360
 Important Limits
• Ca,max=185 mm for Gr. A & B routes (with approval
of CTE), else 165mm
• Cd =100mm/150mm/115mm
= 75 mm otherwise
• Cex=75 mm
• Rmin=175 m
• Rca and Rcd=50mm/s normally but upto 60 mm/s
• Cant Gradient (i)=1 in 720 but min. 1 in 360
(already taken in TL formula given above)
 Design of a New Curve
Step-1 : Find the Radius of Curve “R” for given Max. Permissible
Cant, Cd and Sectional speed using
R = 13.76* V2 /(Ca + Cd)
Step-2: Check for Cex corresponding to Min. Booked speed of
Goods train, Cex = Ca - 13.76* Vg2/R
Step-3: Revise Cant, in case Cex exceeds max. permissible value
(75mm). Ca = Cex + 13.76* Vg2/R
• Repeat Steps 1 to 3 till all values of Cd , Cex, Max. sectional
speed are achieved.
Step-4: Find Desirable & Min. Transition Length and Shift
(L1 = 0.0056 Ca* Vm , L2 = 0.0056 Cd*Vm , L3 = 0.72 Ca , Shift (S) =L2/24R)
Step-5: Check for Rca , Rcd & Ci
 Exercise 1
Design a curve for –
BG route having Speed Potential = 130 Kmph
Rajdhani Route (Group “A”), and
Min. Booked Speed of Goods Train = 65 Kmph

Cd, max = 100mm (without oscillation trials)

Cex = 75mm
SEmax = 165 mm (without CTE’s approval)
 Exercise 1 contd..

• Cd = 13.76* V2/R – Ca
or R = 13.76* V2 /(Ca + Cd)
For given Exercise ,
R = 13.76 * 1302 /(165 + 100) = 877.5m
For Goods train, Cex = Ca - 13.76* Vg2/R
= 165 – 13.76 * 65* 65/ 877.5
= 165 – 66.25 = 98.75 mm > 75mm
Hence Revise Ca = 75 + 66.25 = 141.25 mm say 140 mm
This gives Revised R = 968.9m, Check for Cex & Vmax.
Cex = 140 – 13.76 * 65 * 65/968.9 = 80mm > 75mm
 Exercise 1 contd..

• Revised Ca = 13.76* 65*65/968.9 + 75

= 60+ 75 = 135mm say 130 mm
Second Repetition
Calculate R = 13.76 * 130 * 130/ (130+100)
= 1011m
Check for Cex = 130 – 13.76* 65*65/1011
= 130 – 57.5 = 72.5mm < 75mm
Ok
Check for Vmax. = 0.27 * sqrt {(130+ 100)* 1011} = 130
kmph Ok
Cd = 13.76*130*130/1011 – 130 = 230 -130 = 100 mm Ok
 Calculation of Transition Length
• L1 = 0.0056* Ca* Vm = 0.0056 * 130 * 130
= 94.64m
L2 = 0.0056 * Cd * Vm = 0.0056 * 100 *130
= 72.8 m
• L3 = 0.72 * Ca = 0.72 * 130 = 93.6 m
Transition length shall be maximum of the three i.e.
94.64 m say 100 m (rounding to next 10m)
Min. Transition length = 5/6 *L1 =5/6* 94.64 = 78.87m
= 5/6* L2 = 5/6* 72.8 = 60.67 m
= 0.36 * Ca = 0.36 * 130 = 46.8m
Min. Transition length shall be Max. of the three i.e.
78.87m say 80m (rounding to next 10m)
 Checking of Limits for Rca, Rcd, Ci
• Check for Rca , Rcd & Ci
• Time taken by the passenger train to travel the
transition length t = L/Vm = 3.6*100/130 = 2.77s
• Rca = Ca/t = 130/2.77 = 46.93 mm/s < 50mm/s
Hence Ok
• Rcd = Cd/t = 100/2.77 = 36.1 mm/s < 50mm/s .
Hence Ok
• Ci = Ca/L = 130/100 = 1.3mm/m < 1.4 mm/m. Hence
Ok
 Procedure for designing a Curve
(known Vmax, Vg, Veq, R)
• Find equilibrium cant for the maximum speed Ceq,p
• Find minimum cant required for the max. speed by
deducting the cant deficiency from Cd
equilibrium cant , Cap, min

• Find cant required for booked speed of goods

trains. Cag, max.
• Add cant excess and find out the Ceq,g Cex
maximum cant permissible, Cag, max.
• Cant to be provided shall be between the two values computed above
 Possible situations of Ca
The cant to be provided shall be between the two values
computed above
Case-I : Overlapping Cant Case-II: Non-overlapping Cant
Cag, max
Cd Cd
Cex Range for Cex Ca =Cag, max
Ca

Ceq,p
Ceq,p
Cap, min. Ceq,g Cap, min. Ceq, g
Can choose Ca in the range based
• No choice
on whether it is predominantly Goods or
• Speed for Pass train to
Passenger's route
be restricted
 Procedure to find Speed on Curve contd..

• Cant to be Provided shall also be less than the

Maximum Permissible as per IRPWM
• Corresponding to actual cant provided, find
maximum speed
• Find out the desirable/ minimum transition length
• If shift is restricted, correspondingly restrict length of
transition and work out cant and speed permissible
corresponding to the reduced transition length
available
 Exercise 2
Find Maximum Permissible Speed for –
BG route having Speed Potential = 130 Kmph
Rajdhani Route (Group “A”), and
Degree of Curve = 2°
Speed of Goods Train = 65 Kmph

Cd = 100 mm (normal stocks) and Cex = 75 mm

Max. SE = 165 mm
Step1: Ceq,p for passenger train= 13.76* 1302/875 =265.76 mm,
⸫Min. Cap= Ceq – Cd = 265.76 -100 =165.76 mm say 165 mm
Step 2: Equilibrium Cant for Goods train Ca= 13.76*Vg2/R
Ceq,g= 13.76* 65*65/875 = 66.44 mm
⸫ Cag, max= Ceq + Cex = 66.44+75 = 141.44 say 140 mm

So Ca = 140 taking goods train case (non-overlapping case)

⸫ Ca < Min. Cap . Hence Speed of passenger train is to be Ceq,p
restricted
Vp= 0.27Sqrt{R(Ca+Cd)} Ca =Cag, max
Ceq,g

=0.27Sqrt {875*(140+100)}= 123.729 Kmph say 120 kmph

Actual Cd = 13.76* V2 /R – 140 = 13.76* 120*120/875 = 86.45mm
Actual Cex = 140 – 66.44 = 73.56 mm
 Exercise 2
Find Desirable and Minimum Transition Length in
the above Example –
BG route having Speed Potential = 130 Kmph
Rajdhani Route (Group “A”), and
Degree of Curve = 2°
Speed of Goods Train = 65 Kmph
Cd = 86.45 mm and Cex = 73.56 mm
SE = 140 mm
Max. Speed = 120 Kmph
 Calculation of Transition Length
• L1 = 0.0056 Ca* Vm = 0.0056 * 140 * 120
= 94.08 m
L2 = 0.0056 * Cd * Vm = 0.0056 * 86.45*120
= 58.09 m
• L3 = 0.72 * Ca = 0.72 * 140 = 100.8m
Transition length shall be maximum of the three i.e.
100.8 m say 110 m (rounding to next 10m)
Min. Transition length = 5/6 *L1 =5/6* 94.08 = 78.4m
= 5/6* L2 = 5/6* 58.09 = 48.4 m
= 0.36 * Ca = 0.36 * 140 = 50.4m
Min. Transition length shall be Max. of the three i.e.
78.4m say 80m (rounding to nearest 10m)
• Check for Rca , Rcd & Ci
• Time taken by the passenger train to travel the
transition length t = L/Vm = 3.6*110/120 = 3.3s
• Rca = Ca/t = 140/3.3 = 42.42 mm/s < 50mm/s
Hence Ok
• Rcd = Cd/t = 86.45/3.3 = 26.2 mm/s < 50mm/s .
Hence Ok
• Ci = Ca/L = 140/110 = 1.27 mm/m < 1.4 mm/m.
Hence Ok
 Exercise1&2 contd..
Calculate Shift for –
BG route having Speed Potential = 130 Kmph
Rajdhani Route (Group “A”), and
Degree of Curve = 2°
Speed of Goods Train = 65 Kmph
Desirable Length of Transition
Cd = 86.45 mm; and L1 = 110 m
Minimum Length of Transition
Cex = 73.56 mm L1 = 80 m
SE = 140 mm Shift (S) =L2/24R
Max. Speed = 120 Kmph
Shift =0.576 m and 0.305 m
Ex3. Problem on Design of curve:

On a Broad Gauge Group 'C' route, a 600 meter radius

curve is to be introduced. The maximum sectional speed is
110 km/h and the booked speed of goods train is 50 km/h.
Equilibrium speed is fixed as 80 km/h. Design the curve.
Given values –

R = 600 m,
Vmax = 110 km/h,
Vgoods = 50 km/h,
Veq = 80 km/h (by Russian Formula or as decided by
PCE)

Design a curve ?

Find - Cant, Maximum permissible speed and transition

length
Limiting values for solving the problem:-

Max. Cant (Ca) -165 mm

Max. Cant Excess( Cex) - 75 mm
Max Cant Deficiency (Cd) - 75 mm ?
Cant gradient - 1 in 360 ( 2.8
mm/m)
Rate of change of Ca/Cd - 50mm/s
 Values:
Step 1: Ca=Ceq = 13.76* Veq 2 /R
Ca=13.76*80*80/600 =146.78 mm <165mm so OK
So Ca=145 mm (rounding to nearest 5mm)
Step 2 : Vprm = 0.27* srqt{R(Ca+Cd)}
Vprm=98.09 Kmph say 95 Kmph
Step 3
Vprm<Vmax so Speed Restriction =95 kmph
Cex=145-=145-13.76* 50*50/600 = 145 – 57.33 = 87.67 mm
But Cex can not exceed 75 mm
Revise Ca
Ca=Cex+=75 + 57.33 = 132.3 mm
Say Ca= 130 mm
Vprm=0.27
Vprm=94.69 Kmph say 90 Kmph
Actual Cd for this Vprm is
Cd=-130=55.76 mm < 75mm Ok
Actual Cex = 130 - = 130 – 57.33 = 72.67mm <
75mm Ok
Transition Length:-
Ca=130mm, Cd=55.76mm, Vprm=90 Kmph
L1=0.0056* 130 * 90 = 65.52m
L2=0.0056* 55.76* 90 = 28.1m
L3=0.72* 130 = 93.6m
L=100m (rounding to next higher 10m to Max. L)
Check:
t=Distance/Speed = 100/90 * (18/5) =4 sec
Rate of change of Ca=130/4=32.5 mm/s <50mm/s ok
Rate of change of Cd=55.76/4=13.9 mm/s < 50mm/s ok
Cant Gradient=130/100=1.3 mm/m <1.4mm/m ok
Curve detail:
• Ca=130 mm
• Vprm=90 Kmph
• L=100m
Example 4 : Design of curve with
restricted Transition Length
• On a Broad Gauge Group 'C' route, a 600 meter
radius curve is to be introduced. The maximum
sectional speed is 110 km/h and the booked
speed of goods train is 50 km/h. Equilibrium
speed is fixed as 80 km/h. Design the curve if the
length of transition is restricted to 50m.
 Ex4 contd..
• As worked out in previous example, the
desired/minimum length of transition is
100/60m but the same is now restricted to
50m.
• To get the optimum result, the speed on
transition should be equated to speed on
circular portion i.e.
• Vm = 3.6*Rca * L/Ca = 0.27 SQRT{(Ca+Cd)*R}
• And Ca = Cd for further optimization
• Since L is restricted, we may adopt Rca = 60mm/s
 Ex 4 contd.
• i.e 3.6* 60* 50/Ca = 0.27 SQRT{(2* Ca)* 600}
• → Ca = 110.06 mm say 110mm
• Cd = 75mm ( for C route), so Cd is restricted to
75mm
• Vm = 0.27 * SQRT {(110+75)* 600}
= 89.95 Kmph say 85 kmph
Check for RCa, RCd & Ci
Time for travel = L/Vm = 3.6 * 50/85 = 2.11s
Rca = Ca/t = 110/2.11 = 52.1mm/s < 60 mm/s, Ok
RCd = Cd/t = 75/2.11 = 35.54 mm/s < 60 mm/s, Ok
Ci = Ca/L = 110/50* 1000 = 1 in 450 < 1 in 360 Ok
 Software
• Refer to IRICEN Software on ‘Curve –Design,
Speed Potential, Increasing speed
Realignment and Tamping Machine Data’ by
Sri Anil Choudhary, Ex. Sr. Prof./TM
 Example
Vmax = 120kmph, Vg, min = 65kmph, R = 1510m
Step1: Ceq,p for passenger train= 13.76* 1202/1510 =131 mm,
⸫Min. Cap= Ceq – Cd = 131 -100 =31 mm say 35mm
Step 2: Equilibrium Cant for Goods train Ca= 13.76*Vg2/R
Ceq,g= 13.76* 65*65/1510 = 38.5 mm
⸫ Cag, max= Ceq + Cex = 38.5 +75 = 113.5 say 110 mm
Cag, max Cd
Cex Range for Ca =
35mm to 110 mm

Ceq,p
Cap, min. Ceq,g
Let Ca = 60mm, Cd = 13.76*Vmax2 /R -Ca = 71mm
L1= 0.0056* 60*120 = 40.32m
L2 = 0.0056*71*120 = 47.7m
L3 = 0.72*60 = 43.2m . Therefore L = 50m (max. of all 3)
 RECAP

• Transition Curves -
 Types – Spiral/Clothoid, Cubic parabola etc
• Requirements of Transition curve – tangential
to straight as well as curve, variation in
curvature with distance
• Length of the Transition curve –governed by
Rca, Rcd & Cant Gradient
• Designing a curve – on plain track
Thank You