**4.3 Train maintenance needs identification**

Following ISO 2631 standard methodology, comfort levels were calculated for all journeys regarding the floor and seat surface locations. It was hypothesized that if most trains present "Not Uncomfortable" journeys, those ranked with discomfort levels for floor or seat surface needed maintenance. The previous acceleration records calculated the total acceleration for each trip; results for the Pendolino are shown in **Table 6**. The train identification number was replaced to keep the train's ID anonymous.

Pendolino results presented low acceleration levels associated with the "Not Uncomfortable" ranking. The same tendency was not observed for the InterCity trains. Comfort levels, see **Table 7**, noticed high discomfort levels for the seat surface location. This way, three trains were identified as needing maintenance.

In opposition to the Pendolino train, operated as a single unit, the Intercity train is composed of one locomotive hauling five coaches. Although five hauled coaches perform under the same journey conditions, each car's comfort does not depend on the other vehicles' comfort. Trains D, B and E, presented "Little Uncomfortable" comfort levels; thus, it can be concluded that these trains needed maintenance.

Regarding the Urban train, as on Pendolino, all journeys were ranked as "Not Uncomfortable" independently of the measurement location. **Table 8**, shows Urban train results.


#### **Table 6.**

*Pendolino ride comfort evaluation.*

*Railways Passenger Comfort/Discomfort: Objective Evaluation DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.111704*


#### **Table 7.**

*Ride comfort evaluation for Intercity trains.*


#### **Table 8.**

*Urban trains ride comfort evaluation.*

Train seats have the potential to modify the vibration transmission from the floor to the user. Vibration tends to be amplified by the seat. Thus, ride comfort needs to be evaluated on both floor and seat surface to draw conclusions. Based on this assumption, ride quality assessment was conducted for both locations on multiple Pendolino, Intercity and Urban trains.

Pendolino started its operation in 1999 and was renovated in 2017. This renovation changed the seat design but kept the seat structure and carbody. The Intercity service was introduced earlier than the Pendolino in 1980 and renovated in 2002. In the same year, the 3400 series Urban train was introduced. Thus, besides having different characteristics, it was expected that the Intercity and Urban trains presented similar ride comfort values due to the coincident renovation and service introduction years [54, 55].

However, whilst Pendolino and Urban journeys were ranked as "Not Uncomfortable", the same tendency was not observed on the Intercity journeys. Three of those vehicles reveal high discomfort levels. Thus, once the journeys were run on the same track, it is possible to conclude that Intercity coaches present maintenance needs.
