Background:
In the modern railway track system, several types of short-pitch irregularity unavoidably exist which
cause large magnitude wheel-rail impacts with quite high
frequencies. As railway operators increase axle loads and operation
speeds, quantifying and monitoring track and crossing deterioration
due to impacts caused by short-pitch irregularities has become a
major priority.
Objective:
The project is to develop enhanced measurement analysis systems
and standard methods for analysing short-pitch track and crossing
irregularities as well as to establish methods of assessment and
systems for prioritising maintenance.
Project
scope:
The project will investigate
measurement systems, analysis techniques and standard methods for
measuring the damage and wear of short-pitch irregularities and
crossings. Source data will be wheel set acceleration measurements.
Methods will be validated with detailed measurement of short pitch
defects and crossing geometry irregularities at various track
sites.
Benefits:
Benefits will
be realised by improved timeliness of maintenance.
Expected outcomes:
Development of an analysis system
for quantifying and presenting measurement data for short-pitch
irregularities in track and at crossings.
Development of standard methods of
assessing short-pitch track and crossing defects, as well as
methods of prioritising maintenance.
Project timeframe:
1.5 years
Project
Chair:
Malcolm Kerr,
RailCorp
Project
Leader:
Dr Yan Sun, Senior Research Engineer, Central Queensland
University
Tel: (07) 4930 9287
Email: y.q.sun@cqu.edu.au
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