Assessing the Effectiveness of Track Operation Mechanization Facilities

Abstract

The methodology for assessing the economic efficiency of the use of various means of mechanization when performing track maintenance and repair of railroad tracks is presented in the article. The presented method is based on the comparison of the unit cost of track works with the use of different technologies. The operations with the use of small-scale mechanization, universal machines with exchangeable working equipment and the works with the use of specialized track machines were considered as possible technologies. When using the means of minor mechanization in the methodology, the expenses for salaries of track fitters, for delivery of workers to the place of work, for the performance of work and the cost of limiting the speed of the rolling stock were taken into account. When calculating the economic efficiency of using track machines, operating costs (fuel, maintenance and repair, etc.), wear and tear, and the cost of redeploying machines were also taken into account. Based on the developed methodology, the article presents the results of the calculations and comparison of the economic efficiency of the use of mechanization means for such types of track works as ballast cleaning, sleeper replacement, ballast padding, cutting out crushed stone from sleeper boxes. The calculation results have shown that economic expediency of application of one or another means of mechanization to a great extent depends on the volume of the work performed. According to the calculation results, the recommendations on the use of machines and mechanisms to perform various types of work of certain volumes are given.