Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Implements Vibration Reduction Measures for KTX-Eum Trains... Parts Replacement

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 20th that following a special inspection regarding the severe shaking phenomenon of the Gangneung Line KTX-Eum trains, Korea Railroad Corporation and Hyundai Rotem have decided to promptly implement improvement measures such as replacing parts to reduce train vibrations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated that Korea Railroad Corporation and Hyundai Rotem have identified the cause of the Gangneung Line KTX-Eum train vibrations as a defect in the vibration mitigation device. Accordingly, they are implementing short-term measures such as replacing the vibration mitigation device and improving the wheel profile, and plan to replace the air springs for fundamental improvement.

According to the Ministry, the inspection results showed that the ride comfort index of vehicles with short-term measures applied improved from an average level (2.1~2.41) to a comfort level (1.93~2.0). Driving stability (international standard below 5.18) was found to be safe for both unimproved vehicles (3.24) and improved vehicles (1.75).

Accordingly, the Ministry conveyed corrective actions to Korea Railroad Corporation to shorten the ongoing vibration mitigation device replacement and wheel profile improvement work by one month (from June to May), and to expedite the air spring replacement work for fundamental improvement by one year (from 2025 to 2024).

Furthermore, until the fundamental improvements are completed, to reduce vibrations occurring in certain sections (10 locations) such as stations with many track switches and bridges, the trains will operate at reduced speeds (from 200 km/h to 170 km/h), and vibration occurrence monitoring will be strengthened through periodic onboard inspections.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.