Here the lateral damping (two dampers) is optimized and investigated with respect to safety and comfort for an eight degree of freedom model of a train bogie. The train bogie model is nonlinear due to the excitations caused by the irregularities and the wheel–track interface forces. Train running at different speeds will have different optima and optimal damping parameters with respect toboth comfort and safety. The aim is to optimize the dynamic behavior for a wide range of forward service speeds up to 300 km/h. A multiobjective optimization routine is used and the results are presented in terms of Pareto fronts. To optimize the behavior semi–active functional componentsare required. A scheme to control semi–active lateral damping components with respect to forward speed is suggested. This can significantly improve the dynamic behavior with simultaneously respect to safety and comfort. Finally, we investigate the use of two lateral damping components with the possibility to change behavior at a certain switch time. At least for some service speedsthese semi-active damping components are find to be able to improve the dynamic behavior. The understanding of the influence of the design parameters is valuable in further improving the general performance of a high speed train with respect to safety and comfort
