Can anyone describe the positives and negatives of tilt technology in railway vehicles in simple words?
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Positives - you can go faster through a horizontal curve with a small radius. Negatives - such car costs more.
There is more to it than that. It also adds to the wear and tear on the tracks and wheels. The tilting is helping the passengers, as the lateral forces in the curve are translated to downward forces (feeling as weight), which are easier to manage as a passenger. However, the vehicle self still experiences strong lateral forces, leading to more wheel rail interaction and increased wear and tear.
For countries with relatively small loading gauges, such as the UK, there is also a further negative side effect in terms of vehicle design when tilt technology is included. This is for two reasons.
First, the tilt technology is installed under the floor, resulting in a higher floor level and a reduced saloon height within the coach. Secondly, the roof of the vehicle is tapered inwards further to avoid contact with passing structures. This results in reduced above seat luggage space and a lower passenger window height. In combination, some consider these factors to have a negative impact on overall passenger comfort and satisfaction.
An example of these reduced dimensions can be seen on the Class 390 Pendolino trains which operate on the West Coast Mainline in the UK.
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