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Cant And Superelevation Calculator

Work out cant and superelevation instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Cant And Superelevation Calculator

Equilibrium cant is the superelevation that exactly balances centrifugal force: gauge times v squared divided by radius times g. Real track is canted less than that, and the shortfall is the cant deficiency, which is limited (often 110-150 mm) because it becomes the lateral force passengers feel.

Formula

Cant

equilibrium cant = G x V^2 / (R x g); deficiency = equilibrium - actual cant

Worked example

With the default values below, Cant And Superelevation Calculator returns Cant deficiency of 83.2. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Curve radius
800 m
Design speed
120 km/h
Cant provided
120 mm
Track gauge
1,435 mm

Results

Cant deficiency
83.2 mm
Equilibrium cant
203.2 mm
Lateral acceleration felt
0.57 m/s²
Maximum speed for the cant provided
127.66 km/h

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Cant
  3. 3Cant deficiency= 83.2 mm
  4. 4Equilibrium cant= 203.2 mm
  5. 5Lateral acceleration felt= 0.57 m/s²
  6. 6Maximum speed for the cant provided= 127.66 km/h

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Rail results are planning estimates only. Verify against the infrastructure manager's rule book, approved braking curves and applicable railway safety regulations.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Rail results are planning estimates only. Verify against the infrastructure manager's rule book, approved braking curves and applicable railway safety regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why not cant to equilibrium?

Because trains run at different speeds. Full cant for the fastest train would make slow or stopped freight trains lean uncomfortably and load the inner rail heavily.

What is cant excess?

The opposite case: actual cant greater than equilibrium for a slow train, which overloads the low rail and accelerates wear.

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