ABSTRACT
Composite materials are known to possess the desired material properties in rolling stock application - its light-weight properties has undeniable attraction. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has taken a keen interest in poten-tial areas where composite material could replace conventional material in Singapore’s Rapid Transit System (RTS) context.
This paper begins with a description of the current composite applications in LTA passenger vehicles, as well as a study of the general market trends of composite application in passenger vehicles. This is followed with an assess-ment of the various composite material constituents and the manufacturing techniques used to achieve various pa-rameters, such as crash-worthiness and fire-resistance, required in passenger vehicle design. Case studies of revolu-tionary composite applications are included in the review.
The challenges and limitations of composite material application in passenger vehicles are also discussed. In addition, the possibility of composite material technology transfer from the aerospace to railway industry is examined.
Lastly, this paper concludes with the engineering and financial considerations, as well as the recommended approach to the introduction of composite material application in passenger vehicles.
Keywords: Land transport authority (LTA), Composite, Passenger vehicles.
