Research into railway vehicles (including the maglev train) has been conducted about wheel-rail interactions, dynamics strength, reliability, and wear etc. The research involves the traction power supply system and its relationship with the locomotive, as well as the coupled relationship of the vehicle with the track and the bridge. Research activities have covered the entire developmental process for railway vehicles from the design, analysis and manufacturing stages through to roller rig testing, field testing and final operation.
From 2001 to 2005, the laboratory has taken charge of many important projects at state level including: two national key tasks, seven projects under the national “863”plan, two key and 24 ordinary projects of the Natural Science Foundation, 1 National Excellent Youth Award, 6 Educational Awards for Trans-century Talents, 2 Huo Yingdong Education Awards and 2 key awards from the Ministry of Education. In addition, the laboratory is also involved in 65 projects at provincial and ministerial levels and 163 projects supported by enterprises.
During this period, 400 papers were published in foreign academic journal, of which 60 are cited by SCI, 120 are cited by EI indexing services. 2 books have been published, and 4 invention patents and over 10 utility model patents have been authorized to the laboratory.