Evaluating Short-Wave Effects in Railway Track Using the Rail Surface Signal

Markus Loidolt,Stefan Marschnig

doi:10.3390/app12052529

Abstract

Condition assessment and maintenance planning of railway infrastructure is a prerequisite for safe and reliable train operation. As the loads are constantly increasing, condition assessment of the track must also be further developed. Existing methods can describe the condition of the track well in many cases, but they will reach their limits with faster deterioration processes and shorter time windows for inspection and maintenance, both associated with higher loads. This development can only be countered with an increased understanding of the system and the associated better planning of component specific measures. Among others, short-wave effects of the track need to be considered. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the possibility of describing short-wave effects with an already existing data source. Insulated rail joints, welding joints, switch components, but also rail corrugation of different wavelengths and squat can be detected, evaluated and monitored by a measuring system based on optical distance meters. These assets and wear phenomena form essential parts of track asset management, but still are not described sufficiently by established methods. Although the so-called rail surface measurement system has been installed on the main Austrian measuring car for years, its full potential could not be exploited due to insufficient positioning accuracy. The method presented in this paper intends to change that. This allows for a holistic assessment of track condition when planning maintenance activities.

Highlights

This data is obtained from the rail surface measurement system, a chord-based system in which three optical distance sensors are mounted in a row
Of the measurement system.ofDifferent rail phenomena lead to different signal characteristics
Rail surface corrugations are the original reason for installing this measuring sys on the measuring car

Summary

Introduction

The track quality directly affects the safe operation of the train [1] and its interaction performance with infrastructures [2]. Irregularities of the track lead to an increased force input for both the vehicle and the track itself, are in this way selfreinforcing and increase without appropriate measures. The interactions are determined by the amplitude and the wavelength of the track discontinuity [3]. Effects with short wavelengths can cause rail fractures and are relevant to safety [4]; at the same time, the elimination of the effects is cost-relevant, as Muhamedsalih demonstrates on squats [5]. Noise problems caused by short-wave effects, as discussed by Li [6], can reduce the attractiveness of the railway system for passengers and residents. According to Chiengson, the increased force effect due to the high-frequency excitation of vehicles leads to increased deterioration processes of the entire track [7]

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Methods

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Conclusion