Reliability of Pantograph Systems in the High-Speed Train: A Literature Review

The proposed adaptive test system can be used to simulate the actual galloping with two loops mode, and make galloping state controllable. And the vibration amplitude can be controlled by changing the exciting force. Thus, some studies related to the transmission galloping damage assessment can be carried out. Worldwide development of high-speed railways increases the academic attention on the railway system reliability. This paper focuses on the high-speed train’s pantograph system. Pantograph reliability definitions and pantograph reliability indexes discussed in the literature are clarified in this paper. In addition, this work presents an overview of pantograph reliability assessment methods and discusses their limitations. Based on this, a comprehensive pantograph reliability is proposed, and an evaluation method is given. Finally, potential research directions on pantograph reliability are summarized.