Prapanpong is doing a PhD in Rail Vehicles
Prapanpong Damsongsaeng graduated from the master's programme in Railway Engineering in 2020. He is now a PhD student in the Rail Vehicles division at KTH.
Hi Prapanpong, what are you working with at the moment?
I am currently a first-year PhD student at Rail Vehicles, a division at the School of Engineering Sciences (at KTH). My research focuses on the development of an adaptive control system of active suspensions for high-speed railway vehicles. The research aims to enhance vehicle performance with active suspension solutions, especially during high-speed operation. At the initial stage of research, I am working on the estimation of vehicle states and parameters. This will be utilised as supervision to adaptation mechanism in the later steps.
What can a regular day look like as a PhD student?
A regular day is spent studying and reading scientific papers relevant to my research work. Additionally, I am conducting preliminary studies of vehicle state and parameter estimators utilising a co-simulation environment between multibody simulation (MBS) and control system software. These studies aim to find potential approaches for estimating and developing suitable methods for rail vehicle applications.
Why did you choose this programme at KTH?
I chose the master's programme in Railway Engineering at KTH because the programme offers a wide range of courses covering mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, and transport planning. Hence, the curriculum covers all aspects of railways, giving an overview of railways, current challenges, and future developments. Moreover, this programme is a joint programme with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), giving perspectives on railway developments from both European and North American contexts. I was also attracted by the opportunity to study at UIUC as an exchange student for one semester.
In addition, I am personally interested in Rail Vehicle Dynamics, and I found that Rail Vehicles at KTH has top-notch research in this field.
Are there any insights or knowledge you acquired during your studies that have been extra useful for you in your career?
Various courses on rail vehicles and applied control in my master's studies provided me with valuable background knowledge and experience for my current work. Since I am continuing the research in the same field as what I did in the thesis, the previous experiences in the degree project allow me to build on it in my PhD.
What is your best memory from your time at the universities?
There are many great memories at the universities. My best memory is when I conducted the degree project at the Rail Vehicles division. Furthermore, the exchange semester at UIUC was also a great opportunity and memorable, especially when you were there with friends.
What are your plans for the future?
My intermediate plan is to focus on my doctoral research and obtain a PhD which will take around 4-5 years.
What would you want to say to a student thinking of applying for this programme?
If you are looking for a master's programme in railway, I would recommend applying to this programme at KTH. It offers a unique opportunity to learn and gain a deeper understanding of the interrelationship between systems in railways.