Abstract
Failures of third rail insulators, which often impose problems that affect the serviceability of transit systems, rarely have been investigated. This study examines various aspects of third rail systems, identifies causes of insulator failures, and develops and categorizes preventive strategies. To accomplish the goals, the existing literature was reviewed and analyzed to identify various characteristics of third rails and insulators. Then, five transit case studies were analyzed to determine the characteristics of third rails, identify the causes of insulator failures, and evaluate the preventive strategies adopted by transit agencies. The results revealed that local environmental conditions cause degradation of insulators, with dirt build-up being the biggest contributor to failure. Performing maintenance and inspections of insulators at predetermined intervals was also shown to be very effective for preventing failure. The preventive strategies were classified into three categories: regular inspections; preventive maintenance programs; and regulation and safety, with regular inspections being the most frequently adopted. Findings of this study will serve as an appropriate source of information for practitioners who work with third rail systems and will help them adopt effective strategies.
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