This thesis proposes a quantitative method to optimize inspection/repair intervention in rail defect management. Rail defect management is important for track maintenance, since rails are the most significant and basic component of the track systems. Rail inspection is a fundamental intervention to prevent rail failure. Railroads have evolved the rail inspection interval based on their empirica...

This paper is produced and circulated privately and its inclusion in the conference does not constitute publication. Abstract The UK currently only has one new light rail (tram) scheme being implemented. By way of contrast, a number of high-quality bus systems have been developed; for example Cambridge and Luton Guided-busways, Thames Gateway Fastrack, Crawley Fastway and 'streetcar' bus operat...

The ability to perform rolling contact fatigue (RCF) experiments in wheel–rail material is provided by a new small–scale test rig, manifesting the actual dynamic behaviour of the railway system. In this paper, a multi-body dynamics (MBD) model is proposed, simulating the vibration behaviour of the prescribed rig. The new testing facility is modelled using a three-dimensional model of the vehicl...

The Transportation Research Forum, founded in 1958, is an independent, nonprofit organization of transportation professionals who conduct, use, and benefit from research. Its purpose is to provide an impartial meeting ground for carriers, shippers, government officials, consultants, university researchers, suppliers, and others seeking exchange of information and ideas related to both passenger...

The problem of damping the noise on track, arising from movement train, is solved sufficiently but it simple, if rail with spacers laid inside longitudinally located band sleeper-mechanism. result a layered thread, consisting belts: tape elastic three sides, tie-mechanism and ballast layer. unity layers carried out due to their own mass. This static track without external load. Rail compression...

The evaluation and control of the trains induced vibrations needs even more attention in the case of underground tracks which passes near to monuments and historical sites. The rail corrugations which occur due to the wheels’ impulse loads during the operation period of underground railway tracks, usually amplify the ground borne noise and vibration. In the current study, the mentioned phenomen...

Over two million containers crossed the docks at Sydney’s Port Botany in 2011/12; a figure that is forecast to increase more than threefold by the end of the next decade. To cope with such large growth in volumes, the New South Wales (NSW) State Government plans to double rail mode share at the port by the year 2020. Conventional wisdom from industry and the media says that existing infrastruct...

Useful lifetime evaluation of railpads were very important in design procedure to assure the safety and reliability. It is, therefore, necessary to establish a suitable criterion for the replacement period of rail pads. In this study, we performed properties and accelerated heat aging tests of rail pads considering degradation factors and all environmental conditions including operation, and th...

Crashes at rail level crossings represent a significant problem, both in Australia and worldwide. Advances in driving assessment methods, such as the provision of on-road instrumented test vehicles, now provide researchers with the opportunity to further understand driver behaviour at rail level crossings in ways not previously possible. This paper gives an overview of a recent onroad pilot stu...