Method for Estimating Snow Accretion on Shinkansen Bogies using Weather Data

Abstract

Shinkansen trains operating in snowy areas accumulate snow on their bogies, which can sometimes lead to damage to ground facilities. To prevent this type of damage, snow is removed from trains in stations. We developed a method to estimate the amount of snow accretion on bogies: first, snow density on the railway track is estimated using weather data, then, flying up snow flux is estimated. This is then used to predict the accumulated snow amount under the bogies. Our research confirmed that snow accretion under a bogie upon arrival at a station can be estimated to within 3 cm.