Highlights

 INNOTRACK, a brief summary of Highlights

A list of the highlights defined in the CTR is:

• Subsoil assessment
• Track stiffness
• Four different methods for subgrade
• improvements
• Two innovative track-forms
• A guideline for optimum selection of rail grades
• Squat formation
• Corrugation
• Insulated joints
• Rail cracks
• Rail tests
• Inspection methods and equipment to detect rail cracks
• Grinding procedures
• Welds with a narrow heat affected zone
• Optimizations of switches & crossings
• Numerical damage prediction and optimization of switch components
• Open standard for electronic interlocking and hollow sleepers
• Key parameters for switch monitoring systems
• LCC evaluation methodology
• Logistics solutions

Find here a few Highlights from the CTR.

 Insulated joints

Cost driver Insulated joints impose a discontinuity in the rail. Due to this they will be subjected to high operational loads that may cause joint dips (leading to even higher loads) and material rollout (causing shortcircuiting of the signalling system). The remedial actions, unless detected at early stages of deterioration, often result in replacement and hence add significantly to maintenance costs and causes traffic disturbance.

Solution innotrack has carried out an extensive simulation campaign on the mechanical deterioration of insulated joints. In addition, field measurements have been made in order to verify simulations. The result is a significantly improved understanding of the influence of various operational parameters and the associated deterioration mechanisms.

Benefits The work in innotrack lays the foundation for prescribing joint geometry and allowable tolerances for different operational conditions. Furthermore, the improved understanding of deterioration mechanisms are also expected to contribute to improved designs of insulated joints.

Next steps The derived knowledge needs to be established in operational codes, “minimum action” handbooks and practices. Further increased knowledge is needed, e.g. regarding the influence of traffic situation, support conditions, material characteristics etc.

 Corrugation

Cost driver Corrugation increases noise emission levels and wheel–rail contact forces. The standard mitigating action is grinding, which is costly and causes traffic disturbances. There is also some evidence for increased susceptibility of corrugated track to squat defects.

Solution innotrack has developed a method to determine allowable corrugation magnitudes with respect to noise pollution and risks for the formation of wheel and rail cracks.

Benefits The numerical toolbox that has been developed can be employed to determine grinding intervals etc.

Next steps The derived knowledge needs to be established in operational codes, “minimum action” handbooks and practices. To further optimize maintenance actions, deeper knowledge on corrugation growth and the relationship between operational loading conditions and crack formation would be valuable.

 Rail cracks

Cost driver Cracks in rails are ultimately a safety problem. In order to prevent cracks to grow to failure, they need to be detected and mitigated in the early stages of growth. Further excessive overloads need to be avoided. Lack of accuracy in preventive measures, including the permissible passing loads, lead to increased costs and/or decreased levels of safety.

Solution The growth of rail cracks has been studied in innotrack with the aim of quantifying the influence of operational parameters and in predicting inspection and maintenance needs. An example of use is the identification of allowable load magnitudes induced by wheel flats.

Benefits With the work in innotrack, the accuracy of operational decisions and mitigating actions has increased. A particular benefit is that existing “minimum actions” can be examined and verified/revised using scientifically proven techniques.

Next steps The results from innotrack have already been employed for better regulations regarding operational loads. Harmonization on a European scale is needed. Furthermore, the work related to inspection intervals needs to be implemented in “minimum action” handbooks and codes and the technique extended to other key defects encountered on European networks.

 LCC evaluation methodology

Cost driver One of the most significant complications in the introduction of innovative solutions in the track sector is the assessment of their lcc impact. This may lead to incorrect decisions and related increases in costs.

Solution innotrack has developed a stringent, unified methodology for lcc evaluations on a European level. The method provides the ability to evaluate the lcc impact of different scenarios. It further results in welldefined analyses that clearly define which factors that have been taken into account.

Benefits Apart from providing an objective tool for decision making, the lcc model developed in innotrack will be used for comparisons between different scenarios. Further it can highlight parametric influences such as the effect of adopting different discount rates or delaying interventions.

Next steps The methodology is currently in operational use e.g. at the db. The further European use is foreseen to lead to improvements such as a more extensive analysis of the influence of statistical scatter and the inclusion of improved models to predict deterioration.