UK-based Oleo International has launched its new train crash simulation software called ‘Oleo 1D Rail’ at the CTRS show in Shanghai, China.

Oleo 1D Rail is designed to evaluate options for several energy absorption methods used in bolt-on devices, including couplers, buffers, anti-climbers and crush elements.

Developed by crash energy management (CEM) experts of Oleo, the new software is being localised for overseas markets with the help of China-based language expert Comtec Translations.

"Oleo 1D Rail is designed to evaluate options for several energy absorption methods used in bolt-on devices."

The new software, which will be used to examine the sensitivity of a whole train CEM system for collision response, has flexible inputs to enable a specific train to be modelled and several collision scenarios simulated.

Oleo said the software can help to select the hydraulic units from a library of designs and characteristics of linear devices, such as rubber, elastomer and deformation tubes.

The software can also reflect the specific geometry to fit with the coupler, buffers and anti-climbers for each locomotive.

According to the company, once the basic train and its energy management are formed, it is possible for the software to run several collision scenarios, which include train into terminal, train into stationary train and train into moving train.

Comtec has assisted Oleo in bringing the software to the Chinese market, which reportedly has about to 10,000km of rail investment in operation and plans in place to expand the network to 50,000km by 2020.

Oleo International marketing manager Sandy Watson said, following the launch of Oleo 1D Rail in Shanghai, the company is seeking to introduce it to worldwide markets.

"Currently there is nothing available on the market as advanced as Oleo 1D Rail for evaluating energy absorption methods with one dimensional simulations," Watson said.

"With the support of Comtec we will be able to launch our new software worldwide in different languages at global trade shows and exhibitions."