Shock Absorber Testing for NYC Subway Cars

Ride, handling and durability are heavily influenced by the damping systems of the vehicle. The damping systems of subway cars do not enjoy the luxury of multiple attempts at ride tuning. Normal maintenance is also a great challenge for subway cars thus durability is a critical factor. Handling is not a factor for rail cars like it is for open road passenger vehicles. This paper presents the challenges, methods, and results of testing shock absorbers for subway cars in the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) subway system.