TRACK-QUALITY INDICES AND TRACK-DEGRADATION MODELS FOR MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY PLANNING

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.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1981/802/802-001.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=TRACK-QUALITY+INDICES+AND+TRACK-DEGRADATION+MODELS+FOR+MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY+PLANNING&author=A.+Hamid&author=A.+Gross&publication_year=1981
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309032164
• Supplemental Notes:
  • 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
• Authors:
  • Hamid, A
  • Gross, A
• Conference:
  • 60th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
  • Date: 1981-1-12 to 1981-1-16
• Publication Date: 1981

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 2-8
• Monograph Title: Railroad track structure, electrification and operations management
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 802
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Deterioration; Inspection cars; Maintenance of way; Measurement; Quality control; Railroad safety; Railroad tracks; Ride quality; Standards
• Identifier Terms: Conrail
• Old TRIS Terms: Track deterioration; Track geometry measurement; Track quality; Track safety standards
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00341966
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309032164
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Oct 28 1981 12:00AM