01620223

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2607-01

The use of rail profile measurements for the planning and specification of rail-grinding activities normally involves comparing the existing and desired rail profiles within a rail segment. In current practice, a somewhat subjective approach is used to select a measured profile—usually located near the midpoint of the segment—that represents the profiles throughout the rail segment. Industry-standard rail profile data were used to develop an automated procedure for calculating a representative average (mean) rail profile for a rail segment. The procedure was verified by comparing the calculated average with an expected profile. Then, it was validated by comparing the calculated average profiles of 42 in-service rail segments (10 tangents and 32 curved segments) with the corresponding median rail profiles for each segment, chosen subjectively. Validation results indicated that the coordinates comprising the mean and median profiles differed by less than 1%, on average. Agreement was stronger for tangent rail segments than for curved rail segments, as expected. Therefore, validation demonstrated that the procedure yields results comparable with current practice while it improves the objectivity and repeatability of the decisions that support rail-grinding activities. The procedure also offers the opportunity for integration with existing software tools to help automate the specification of grinding activities that minimize metal removal and prolong rail life.

01631076

17-02096

English

pp 1–6

2017

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309441674

Digital/other

Figures (5) ; References (11) ; Tables (1)

Automation; Grinding; Maintenance of way; Railroad rails; Rolling contact

Rail profiles

Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads

PRP, TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 19 2016 1:11PM

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