00341966

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http://onlinepubs.trb.org...s/trr/1981/802/802-001.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...ross&publication_year=1981

An objective measure of railroad track quality and track-degradation models are described and illustration of how these measurements can be used in maintenance-of-way planning are given. The results presented in this paper are based on the data collected over a period of one year on approximately 290 miles of main-line track. The study was sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) with the participation of the Consolidated Rail Corporation. Track-quality indices (TQIs) are derived from the data collected by automatic track geometry cars. TQIs are figures of merit that objectively quantify the condition of track. It is shown that TQIs can monitor track-degradation and maintenance operations, can summarize and display the condition of large sections of track, and are correlated with both FRA safety standards and values of ride quality. Eleven physical parameters in the areas of traffic, track structure, and maintenance were investigated to determine their contribution to the rate of track degradation. It is shown that a subset of these parameters accounts for more than 80 percent of the change in track conditions as measured by a TQI. Predictive equations are presented that project the condition of track in terms of TQIs.

Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Track Structure System Design. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

01411615

pp 2-8

1981

Transportation Research Record

60th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board

0309032164

Print

Figures (9) ; References (11) ; Tables (2)

Data collection; Deterioration; Inspection cars; Maintenance of way; Measurement; Quality control; Railroad safety; Railroad tracks; Ride quality; Standards

Conrail

Design; Highways; Railroads

TRIS, TRB

Oct 28 1981 12:00AM

• BETTER TRACK AT LOWER COST: ADVANTAGES, BENEFITS, AND LIMITATIONS OF TRACK RENEWAL
• CAPACITY: MODEL FOR ESTIMATING RAIL YARD CAPACITY AND RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS
• CONFLICT: RAILROAD CLASSIFICATION YARD TRIM-END SIMULATION MODEL
• ECONOMICS OF ELECTRIC TRACTION TO TRANSPORT COAL ON RICHARDS BAY LINE
• ENERGY CONSIDERATIONS FOR RAILROAD ELECTRIFICATION IN THE UNITED STATES
• MODE ALTERNATIVES FOR SERVING RAIL FREIGHT USERS
• NEW PERSPECTIVES ON CLOSURE OF RAILROAD-HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSINGS AS A SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT
• PERFORMANCE-BASED TRACK-QUALITY MEASURES AND THEIR APPLICATION TO MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY PLANNING
• POSSIBILITIES FOR LOCAL PUBLIC AND COOPERATIVE OWNERSHIP OF SHORT-LINE RAILROADS
• RAILROAD ELECTRIFICATION: AN ALTERNATIVE FOR PETROLEUM SAVINGS
• RESEARCH ON RAILROAD PETROLEUM CONSERVATION
• USE OF STABILIZED LAYERS IN TRACK STRUCTURE