traction
Quick Summary
Traction refers to the adhesive friction of a body on a surface it moves across, or the pulling force exerted on a body. In transportation, it's crucial for vehicles to move, accelerate, and brake. For instance, rubber tires on automobiles provide high friction and cushioning, enabling control on roads. Railroads use metal tires for low rolling resistance on steel rails, while electric traction systems, powered by alternating or direct current, propel trains worldwide. Traction is also used in a medical context for skeletal support and metaphorically for gaining progress or success.
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railroadAdvances in traction systemsDiesel-electric locomotives appeared in the 1920s. Individual locomotive units provided up to 5,000 horsepower, a figure equal to all the steam-engine power in the United States in 1800. Locomotive units could be multicoupled and operated by a single engineer. It became routine to…
Read MoreDiesel-electric locomotives appeared in the 1920s. Individual locomotive units provided up to 5,000 horsepower, a figure equal to all the steam-engine power in the United States in 1800. Locomotive units could be multicoupled and operated by a single engineer. It became routine to…
Read More- railroadDiesel-electric locomotion and electronic systems
…was the perfection of diesel traction as a more efficient alternative to steam and as a more cost-effective option than electrification where train movements were not intensive. Another was the move from mechanical signaling and telephonic traffic-control methods to electrical systems that enabled centralized control of considerable traffic areas. Also…
Read More…was the perfection of diesel traction as a more efficient alternative to steam and as a more cost-effective option than electrification where train movements were not intensive. Another was the move from mechanical signaling and telephonic traffic-control methods to electrical systems that enabled centralized control of considerable traffic areas. Also…
Read More