Experimental investigation on vibration characteristics of the medium–low-speed maglev vehicle–turnout coupled system

The steel turnout is one of the key components in the medium–low-speed maglev line system. However, the vehicle under active control is prone to vehicle–turnout coupled vibration, and thus, it is necessary to identify the vibration characteristics of this coupled system through field tests. To this end, dynamic performance tests were conducted on a vehicle–turnout coupled system in a medium–low-speed maglev test line. Firstly, the dynamic response data of the coupled system under various operating conditions were obtained. Then, the natural vibration characteristics of the turnout were analysed using the free attenuation method and the finite element method, indicating a good agreement between the simulation results and the measured results; the acceleration response characteristics of the coupled system were analysed in detail, and the ride quality of the vehicle was assessed by Sperling index. Finally, the frequency distribution characteristics of the coupled system were discussed. All these test results could provide references for model validation and optimized design of medium–low-speed maglev transport systems.