Wind tunnel tests for the identification of the aerodynamic forces on rail vehicle

Extensive wind tunnel tests have been carried out on 1:20 train scale models. The experimental tests have been performed in different configurations, on three types of rail vehicles, in laminar and turbulent flow. In addition to the characterization of the aerodynamic coefficients, the wind tunnel tests allowed to point out the most critical conditions with respect to running safety and to perform sensitivity analysis on the principal parameters that can influence the aerodynamic behaviour of rail vehicles. Also some preliminary results of the moving-train tests are reported.