09/12/2025
Don’t miss out — now available on our website https://www.monorailex.org/index.php/tires-guideway-surface-interaction
We’re proud to announce the release of the first industry-specific guideline dedicated to the tire–guideway interface in straddle-type monorail systems.
Developed by the International Monorail Association’s Working Group on Tire-Guideway Surface Interaction, this document fills a critical gap in global transit standards. It delivers clear, evidence-based recommendations for designing, testing, and maintaining concrete running surfaces for rubber-tired monorails.
The guideline establishes a consistent framework to improve safety, durability, ride quality, lifecycle costs, and environmental performance. It draws on international standards (ISO 13473, ASTM E274, EN 13036) and global best practices, translating worldwide experience into monorail-specific requirements.
Key guidance includes:
• Standardized testing methods (Dynamic Friction Tester - DFT, Circular Texture Meter -CTM, British Pendulum Tester, Sand Patch) using IFI-based target values
• Definition of acceptable concrete finishes and surface treatments
• Recommendation for Inspection Procedures
• Compatibility considerations with OEM tire compounds
• Safety and operational topics such as TPMS and wet-surface behavior
• Sustainability measures, including SCMs and low-carbon concrete
The document supports transit agencies, operators, engineers, contractors, rolling stock manufacturers, and tire OEMs, offering practical direction for design, maintenance, and specification work.
It also lays an important foundation for future national and international standards—and provides valuable support for academic research on tire–road interaction.
👉 Download the new “Technical Framework for Straddle Beam Type Monorail Tire-Guideway Interaction” free of charge.
https://www.monorailex.org/index.php/tires-guideway-surface-interaction
