Railway Research Articles

Real-time railroad track components inspection framework based on YOLO-NAS and edge computing

The demand for efficient track inspection systems in the rapidly evolving rail transportation field is more pronounced than ever. Hence, this study combines deep learning and edge computing for railroad track component inspection, focusing on the YOLO-NAS architecture. Our objective was twofold: to harness the advantages of YOLO-NAS for accurate and high-speed detection while addressing the computational constraints of edge devices. Consequently, YOLO-NAS-S-PTQ model achieved a remarkable balance, with 74.77% mAP and 92.20 FPS, on the NVIDIA Jetson Orin platform. By deploying this model on an edge device and utilizing a multiprocessor pipeline, we observed an inference speed of 60.468 FPS, which was nearly double the rate of its single-threaded counterpart. Field tests further confirmed the efficiency of the model, demonstrating a recall rate of 80.77% and an accuracy of 96.64%. These findings underscore the potential of YOLO-NAS in transforming traditional rail component inspection methods, significantly reducing human interventions and potential errors.

Devising a method for improving pedestrian traffic safety when crossing railroad tracks by implementing an information system with a fixed warning time

The object of research is pedestrian safety when crossing railroad tracks at pedestrian crossings. A method for improving the safety of pedestrian traffic when crossing railroad tracks within the area approaching the railroad pedestrian crossing has been developed, by introducing an information system for warning pedestrians about train movement with a fixed warning time. Experimental measurements of the speed of the rolling stock were carried out in the area approaching the pedestrian crossing over the railroad track. With the mixed movement of trains, it was found that the lowest speed of the train was 67.46 km/h, and the highest was the passenger train – 131.9 km/h. At the same time, the speed of freight trains ranged from 74 to 79 km/h. Such data are needed to determine the speed of the rolling stock on the approach to the crossing or transition, which will allow the light and sound signal to be turned on in time when the movement of a pedestrian across the track will be dangerous. The methodology for calculating the length of the approach section to the pedestrian crossing, depending on the speed of the rolling stock, has been given. It was established that the speed of the rolling stock has a significant effect on the length of the approach section. At the lowest measured speed of the train – 67.46 km/h, the length of the approach section was 317.46 m, and when the passenger train was moving at a speed of 131.9 km/h – 620.68 m. For a single-track section of the railroad, a fixed time has been established for warning pedestrians about the approach of a train to the crossing. It is a constant value that is included in the warning information system on a single-track section, and after it, a complex light and sound alarm with an information board is activated, which will warn the pedestrian about the movement of the train. The method for improving the safety of pedestrian traffic with a fixed time of the pedestrian’s anticipation of the train movement could be used at crossings with pedestrian traffic, as a supplement to the crossing signaling subsystem in railroad transport. It can also be used at equipped pedestrian crossings over railroad tracks in urbanized areas. The advantage of introducing such a method is a fixed time to warn the pedestrian, in each specific case of the train approaching the crossing

Experimental Evaluation of Effect of Leaves on Railroad Tracks in Loss of Braking

This study aims to comprehensively assess the lubrication effect of leaves on wheel–rail contact dynamics using the Virginia Tech-Federal Railroad Administration (VT-FRA) Roller Rig, which closely simulates field conditions with precision and repeatability. Railway operators grapple with the seasonally recurring challenge of leaf contamination, which can cause partial loss of braking and lead to undesired events such as station overruns. Better understanding the adhesion-reducing impact of leaf contamination significantly improves railway engineering practices to counter their effects on train braking and traction. This experimental study evaluates the reduction in traction and braking forces (collectively called “adhesion”) as a function of leaf volume, using two leaf species that commonly grow along U.S. railroad tracks. The test methods rely on the chosen leaves’ transpiration characteristics while ensuring the result’s reproducibility. Leaves were symmetrically positioned on the wheel surface, centered around the mid-rib area within the wear band, and taped on the edges far from the wear band. The critical test parameters (i.e., wheel load, wheel velocity, and percentage creepage) are kept constant among the tests. At the same time, leaf volume is reduced from a maximum amount that covers the entire wheel surface (100% coverage) to no leaves (0%). The latter is used as the baseline. The percentage creepage is kept constant at an exaggerated amount of 2% to accelerate the test time. The results indicate a nonlinear relationship between leaf volume and the loss of braking. Even a small amount of leaf contamination causes a significant reduction in adhesion by as much as 50% compared with no contamination (i.e., baseline). Increasing leaf volume results in contact saturation, beyond which adhesion is not reduced. The minimum adhesion observed in this study is 20% of the maximum adhesion that occurs when no leaf contamination is present.

Automatic Object Detection in Radargrams of Multi-Antenna GPR Systems Based on Simulation Data for Railway Infrastructure Analysis

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a non-invasive technology that uses electromagnetic pulses for subsurface exploration. In the railroad sector, it is crucial to assessing soil layers and infrastructure, offering insights into soil stratification and geological features and aiding in identifying subsurface hazards. However, the automation of radargram analysis is impeded by the lack of ground truth—accurate real-world data used to validate machine learning models—thus affecting the deployment of advanced algorithms. This study focuses on generating high-quality simulated data to address the shortage of real-world data in the context of object detection along railroad tracks and presents a fully automated pipeline that includes data generation, algorithm training, and validation using real-world data. By doing so, it paves the way for significantly easing the future task of object detection algorithms in the railway sector. A simulation environment, including the digital twin of a GPR antenna, was developed for artificial data generation. The process involves pre- and post-processing techniques to transform the three-dimensional data from the multichannel GPR system into two-dimensional datasets. This ensures minimal information loss and suitability for established two-dimensional object detection algorithms like the well-known YOLO (You Only Look Once) framework. Validation involved real-world measurements on a track with predefined buried objects. The entire pipeline, encompassing data generation, processing, training, and application, was automated for efficient algorithm testing and implementation. Artificial data show promise for better performance with increased training. Future AI and sensor advancements will enhance subsurface exploration, contributing to safer and more reliable railroad operations.

Railroad Infrastructure Management: A Novel Tool for Automatic Interpretation of GPR Imaging to Minimize Human Intervention in Railroad Inspection

Regular monitoring and inspection of military railroad tracks are necessary to ensure the safe transportation of military freight. Manual railroad inspection has drawbacks and limitations that can impact accuracy and efficiency. This study introduces a novel tool designed to automate Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) imaging interpretation for railroad ballast condition assessment, aiming to reduce human intervention in inspections. The tool uses advanced signal processing techniques, such as the Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) and Wavelet Transform (WT), to quantify ballast fouling levels accurately, enhancing maintenance and safety protocols for railroad tracks. Validation through comprehensive testing, including two case studies, demonstrates the tool’s superior efficacy over traditional manual inspection methods. This research represents a pivotal step towards more efficient and reliable infrastructure management, ensuring critical railroad systems’ safety and operational integrity.

Accident Avoidance using Railway Track Detection System using IoT

An IoT-based railway track crack and object discovery framework is an innovative arrangement for guaranteeing the security of railroad frameworks. The framework employs a combination of sensors and cameras that are introduced along the railroad track to screen it for any signs of harm or hindrances. The sensors can identify vibrations and changes within the track, which can show the nearness of a break or other sort of harm. The cameras can capture pictures and video of the track, such as fallen branches, flotsam, and jetsam, or indeed individuals or creatures. Once the framework recognizes an issue, it can send an alarm to the railroad administrators or upkeep workforce, permitting them to rapidly address the issue sometime soon if it causes any mischances or delays. An IOT-based railroad track break and protest location framework can incredibly move forward the security and proficiency of railroad operations. Key Words: Embedded system, Internet of things, ultrasonic sensor, IR detector, Arduino Uno, GPS

Cultural heritage and urban morphology: land use transformation in ‘Kumbh Mela’ of Prayagraj, India

A Hindu pilgrimage site where millions of people gather to seek solutions to problems related to everyday life, the “Kumbh Mela” is recognised as one of India’s intangible cultural heritages. The site of the observance rotates between four cities, Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik and Prayagraj. The infrastructure and services in the city that is hosting such a gathering undergo numerous changes as a result of the sizeable gathering. The goal of the study is to monitor the changes in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) in the city of Prayagraj before and after the “Kumbh Mela” and to evaluate the effect on infrastructure changes in the citry. Analyzing the changes that such pilgrimages and events bring about in cities are fascinating. In 2019, the city of Prayagraj hosted the “Kumbh”, hence, Pre-Kumbh (2016), Kumbh (2019), and Post-Kumbh (2022) phases were taken under consideration for LULC change assessment. Supervised classification was conducted using Maximum Likelihood Classifier to prepare LULC maps. It was observed that urbanisation has significantly increased at the expense of vegetation, fallow land, and agricultural land. The success of the local agroforestry policy and plantation drive is demonstrated by the interesting increase in vegetation that has been observed. The construction of a civil airport, the widening of existing roads, the installation of new railroad tracks, and the adornment of roundabouts on existing roads are the major infrastructure changes. The findings offer fresh insights of increasing urban infrastructure from a cultural perspective. The findings will aid in better planning and policy development for the resilient and sustainable infrastructure, as well as in the development of a long-term strategy for the temporary habitation in the “Kumbh” area of such cities.

Born on the wrong side of the tracks: Exploring the causal effects of segregation on infant health

Prior research has found that a high level of residential racial segregation, or the degree to which racial/ethnic groups are isolated from one another, is associated with worsened infant health outcomes, particularly among non-Hispanic (NH) Black infant populations. However, because exposure to segregation is non-random, it is unclear whether and to what extent segregation is causally linked to infant health. To overcome this empirical limitation, we leverage exogenous variation in the placement of railroad tracks in the 19th century to predict contemporary segregation, an approach first introduced by Ananat (2011). In alignment with prior literature, we find that residential segregation has statistically significant associations with negative birth outcomes among Black infant populations in the area. Using OLS methods underestimates the negative impacts of segregation on infant health. We fail to detect comparable effects on health outcomes among NH White infant populations. Further, we identify several key mechanisms by which residential segregation could influence health outcomes among Black infant populations, including lower access to prenatal care during the first trimester, higher levels of anti-Black prejudice, greater transportation barriers, and increased food insecurity. Given that poor birth outcomes have adverse effects on adults’ health and well-being, the findings suggest that in-utero exposure to residential segregation could have important implications for Black–White inequality over the life course.

ANALYSIS SAFETY FACTOR KUALANAMU RAILWAY EMBANKMENT USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Analysis of the soil's bearing capacity for the loads acting on the railway tracks is one of the most important parts of planning the structure of the railway to be built. Considering that train activity is very intense and imposes a significant live load on the soil layer beneath it, it is necessary to ensure that the soil layer under the railroad track is able to withstand the entire load. This analysis aims to ensure that the subgrade is able to support the entire load acting on it by calculating the safety factor for the layers of soil and ballast on the railroad track. The calculation method used to obtain the load value is analytical, while the calculation of safety factors and soil settlement is carried out using the finite element method (FEM) calculation concept. From the results of analysis using the finite element method (FEM) using Plaxis 2D, it can be concluded that at the operational stage the maximum drop in the vertical direction was -5.96 mm while the maximum movement in the horizontal direction was 1.12 cm. This is smaller than the maximum drop permitted by Minister of Transportation Regulation No. 60 of 2012, namely 10 cm. The safety factor during train operations is 2.902, so the railroad construction can be declared safe.

Testing the fragmentation of railway ballast material by laboratory methods using Proctor compactor

The physical classification of crushed stone and gravel used in railway construction is based on their strength and endurance and is performed by a laboratory test method using a rotating drum or a mortar method. The values of fracture resistance calculated using the Los Angeles method and abrasion calculated using the Micro-Deval method show a corresponding correlation and require further investigation. Purpose. The development of a new method for measuring rock material fracture that is consistent with widely used standards while also being more comparable to real-world railway operating conditions. Certainly, both standard tests are essential for ensuring product homogeneity during production, so the new recommended method is only a supplement. Methodology. The Proctor device was used to induce so-called shock loads from above, similar to railway loading conditions. Unlike the standard method, the andesite material was placed in a standard cylinder in these tests. The samples were pre-screened and sorted; the specified weight was approximately 1,300 g, and the specified sizes of the individual particles were 6.3, 8.0 and 11.2 mm. Only prewashed and dried materials of NZ (fine crushed stone) or KZ (special crushed stone) from four different quarries (Tállya, Szob, Nógrádkövesd, Recsk) with different rock physics characteristics were considered. The Proctor compactor machine was used because of its calculable labor (19.86 J/impact) and the crushing effect of the calculable impacts (64, 128, 256 and 1,028 blows). Even after loading different numbers of impacts, homogeneous samples from different quarries were sieved to measure the masses of fragments per fraction. Findings. The set of measurements made it possible to establish a series of fragmentation and degradation curves for each of the three repeated measurements based on the composition of the material and the number of blows, which showed the degradation of samples with different physical and mechanical properties of the rock material and particle sizes. With an increasing number of impacts, the amount of crushed material in the sample increased, but the distribution of crushed material did not decrease evenly and proportionally as the number of impacts increased. Parameters and indices were also computed to identify various correlations (i. e., FV, d < 22.4, d < 0.5, d < 0.063 mm, CU, M ratio,  ratio). Some of them (e. g., FV) needed to be changed, but they were predefined due to the nature of the tests. Originality. While many standard and alternative railway track ballast fragmentation test methods and measurement tools are available, this paper proposes a new laboratory method and demonstrates the specific measurement and application effectiveness. Practical value. In addition to standard tests that are already widely used, the new method for measuring the fractional composition of railway ballast can help simulate real-world operating conditions of a railroad track in the laboratory. This method will improve the safety of railway operations.

Large-Scale Triaxial Testing of Geogrid-Stabilized Field-Sourced Fouled Ballast Under Simulated Progressive Rainfall Wetting and Cyclic Loading Conditions

Railroad track ballast composed of uniformly graded crushed aggregate is susceptible to fouling from substances like ballast fines degraded during track service, coal dust, clay, and sand. Fouling reduces the drainage capacity of ballast, often leading to water accumulation and subsequent performance degradation. Fouled ballast with high moisture content experiences excessive settlement and could benefit from stabilization for safe operations. While previous studies have highlighted the efficacy of geogrids in stabilizing fouled ballast and minimizing the overall track settlement, the effect of geogrid on the performance of fouled ballast under progressive rainfall wetting and continuous cyclic loading conditions remains unexplored. This study examines the performance of geogrid-stabilized field-sourced fouled ballast through large-scale triaxial tests. The findings reveal that the inclusion of a single-layer geogrid can effectively reduce settlement and deformation rates under equivalent water content conditions. A layer of geogrid could prevent sample failure under saturated conditions, retaining approximately 1,000 kPa post-cyclic shear strength. Furthermore, the results indicate that geogrid stabilization enhances the resilience of fouled ballast and maintains the track geometry under progressive rainfall conditions. These findings offer crucial insights for geogrid applications in railroad maintenance.

A rail fastener defect detection algorithm based on improved YOLOv5

Being a crucial component of railway tracks, monitoring the health condition of fasteners stands as a critical aspect within the realm of railroad track management, ensuring the normal passage of trains. However, traditional track fastener detection methods mainly use artificial checks, giving rise to challenges encompassing reduced efficiency, safety hazards, and poor detection accuracy. Consequently, we introduce an innovative model for the detection of track fastener defects, termed YOLOv5-CGBD. In this study, we first imbue the backbone network with the CBAM attention mechanism, which elevates the network’s emphasis on pertinent feature extraction within defective regions. Subsequently, we replace the standard convolutional blocks in the neck network with the GSConv convolutional module, achieving a delicate balance between the model’s accuracy and computational speed. Augmenting our model’s capacities for efficient feature map fusion and reorganization across diverse scales, we integrate the weighted bidirectional feature pyramid network (BiFPN). Ultimately, we manipulate a lightweight decoupled head structure, which improves both detection precision and model robustness. Concurrently, to enhance the model’s performance, a data augmentation strategy is employed. The experimental findings testify to the YOLOv5-CGBD model’s ability to conduct real-time detection, with mAP0.5 scores of 0.971 and 0.747 for mAP0.5:0.95, surpassing those of the original YOLOv5 model by 2.2% and 4.1%, respectively. Furthermore, we undertake a comparative assessment, contrasting the proposed methodology with alternative approaches. The experimental outcomes manifest that the YOLOv5-CGBD model exhibits the most exceptional comprehensive detection performance while concurrently maintaining a high processing speed.

Effect of forward kinematics on the motion-trajectory oscillations and inertia forces

In vehicle-motion scenarios, non-negligible centrifugal-force component that cannot be balanced by the gravity force may develop, leading to increase in wheel-contact forces. This inertia-force component, which depends on vehicle forward velocity and oscillation amplitude, can arise when the vehicle negotiates straight road or railroad track. An approach based on the Frenet geometry and recorded motion trajectory (RMT) is introduced in this investigation to examine forward-kinematics effect on the motion geometry and inertia forces and to obtain general expression of the ratio between the amplitudes of the centrifugal and gravity forces. While the two three-dimensional vectors of applied and constraint forces define Frenet osculating plane of mass-center trajectories; for non-centroidal points, the osculating plane is defined by two vectors; the resultant of the applied and constraint forces and an inertia-force vector that depends on the angular velocity and angular acceleration. The concepts of instantaneous motion plane (IMP) and instantaneous zero-force axis (IZFA) are used to convert three-dimensional Cartesian forces into two-dimensional Frenet forces, based on the Frenet-Newton equations. Because contact forces can be formulated using two fundamentally different approaches; constraint contact formulation (CCF) and elastic contact formulation (ECF), the effect of the contact formulation on the IMP and IZFA orientation is examined. The results obtained, using railroad suspended wheelset example, demonstrate the following: (1) limitations of roller rigs that do not properly account for forward-velocity effect on the inertia forces; (2) difference between IMP and intermediate wheelset plane defined by wheelset lateral axis and global vertical axis; (3) non-negligible inertia centrifugal-force component in the absence of physical curvature; and (4) need to distinguish between physical and motion geometries; the latter is one that directly enters into the definition of the inertia forces. Trajectories with oscillation frequency independent of the oscillation amplitude for a given forward velocity are also identified.

Developing a Cloud-Based Air Quality Monitoring Platform Using Low-Cost Sensors

Conventional air quality monitoring has been traditionally carried out in a few fixed places with expensive measuring equipment. This results in sparse spatial air quality data, which do not represent the real air quality of an entire area, e.g., when hot spots are missing. To obtain air quality data with higher spatial and temporal resolution, this research focused on developing a low-cost network of cloud-based air quality measurement platforms. These platforms should be able to measure air quality parameters including particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, PM1) as well as gases like NO, NO2, O3, and CO, air temperature, and relative humidity. These parameters were measured every second and transmitted to a cloud server every minute on average. The platform developed during this research used one main computer to read the sensor data, process it, and store it in the cloud. Three prototypes were tested in the field: two of them at a busy traffic site in Stuttgart, Marienplatz and one at a remote site, Ötisheim, where measurements were performed near busy railroad tracks. The developed platform had around 1500 € in materials costs for one Air Quality Sensor Node and proved to be robust during the measurement phase. The notion of employing a Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) controller for the efficient working of a dryer that is used to reduce the negative effect of meteorological parameters such as air temperature and relative humidity on the measurement results was also pursued. This is seen as one way to improve the quality of data captured by low-cost sensors.

Analisis Dampak Keberadaan PT. Pelindo Multi Terminal Branch Belawan Terhadap Sosial Ekonomi Masyarakat Belawan I Kecamatan Medan Belawan

Ports have assumed a vital part in expanding financial development. As a result, banks, shipping companies, customs, immigration, quarantine, and other activity centers all gather at the port. The purpose of the study is to examine how the existence of Belawan Port affects the well-being of the community around it, as measured by; individuals' pay, work open doors, training, wellbeing, level of safety, and foundation offices. This exploration is subjective examination where the exploration is completed straightforwardly in the field. Huberman which is partitioned into information assortment, information decrease, information show and reaching determinations. Belawan Port ought to have an effect in working on the government assistance of individuals of Belawan I, Medan Belawan Locale, in any case, the state of being found in the truth of life in Medan Belawan Region is that the establishments and spatial preparation of Medan Belawan Locale are still entirely apparent and many ghetto houses are found. organized nearly along the edge of the railroad tracks and in a ghetto region that isn't reasonable for living in. So it tends to be reasoned that the presence of Pt. The people of Belawan I, Medan Belawan District, have not benefited significantly from Pelindo Multi Terminal Branch Belawan.

Particle motion and stress response interacted with machine activity: Railroad tamping strategy

Tamping is a vital maintenance activity to correct railroad track geometry by lifting, aligning, and levelling the track. Traditional tamping practices are often rather empirical and rely heavily on operator’s experience. Railroads have learned that improper tamping parameters impact ballast stability and cause quick track geometry deterioration. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of tamping parameters on ballast performance at the particle level, expecting to figure out the optimized tamping parameters to improve track quality. To achieve this objective, field tamping tests were conducted on Norfolk Southern Railway's mainline. In the tests, four tamping parameter combinations of squeeze time (0.6 s, 1.0 s) and number of squeezes (1 insertion, 2 insertions) were executed by Plasser’s tamper. In addition, “SmartRocks” sensors were preinstalled under the ties to record ballast and contact stresses caused during and after tamping. It was found that 1.0 s squeeze time results in a more compact and stable ballast status than 0.6 s squeeze time, with a more stable rearrangement of particles and stable bulk stress after tamping. employing two insertions appeared to neutralize the impact of squeeze time duration, given a small lifting value of 25 mm. These findings provide insights into optimizing tamping strategies to improve the stability and durability of railroad tracks.

KERUGIAN BBM AKIBAT TUNDAAN DAN PANJANG ANTRIAN DI PERSIMPANGAN JALAN RAYA DENGAN REL KERETA API SEBIDANG (Studi Kasus Jalan Hasanudin Semarang)

Due to the high mobility of those passing by and the presence of trains that cross the intersection between the highway and the railroad, also known as level crossings, Jalan Hasanudin experiences heavy traffic during rush hour. Additionally, because of the large volume of train traffic at the Poncol station and the proximity of this intersection to the station, there is frequently a buildup of vehicles at the level crossing on Jalan Hasanudin. As a result, researchers will determine how Jalan Hasanudin Semarang performed. After conducting research, it was discovered that the highest vehicle queue length occurred on Monday, February 27 2023 from Jalan Hasanudin - Imam Bonjol at closing time 16.45 with a queue length of 123 meters and the highest stop delay occurred on Saturday, March 4 2023 from the direction of Jalan Hasanudin - Imam Bonjol with an average stop delay duration of 372.00 seconds. Therefore, the occurrence of long lines led to fuel losses for the drivers; their total gasoline loss over the course of the three research days was IDR 886,550.7. The researchers offer recommendations based on the findings of the research analysis to control street vendors and people near railroad tracks and railroad crossings that result in side barriers and long lines during stop delays, install traffic signs like those that prohibit stopping, prohibit parking, and prohibit raising and lowering passengers on roads, and so that there is no congestion along Jalan Hasanudin and around railroad crossings.

Hydrological Analysis of the Makassar-Pare Corridor Rail Elevated Bridge in Pangkep Regency South Sulawesi Province

Hydrological analysis is an important stage in the development of water resources. Determining hydrological quantities is actually not too difficult if the data for analysis purposes is available in sufficient quantity and quality. The method used for the analysis of the planned flood discharge depends on the amount of discharge data and rainfall data. Based on the analysis of discharge data and rain data. For planning the storage capacity of the river crossing the railway bridge, using the Nakayasu Synthetic Unit Hydrograph (HSS) Method, the river water level to the JEKA 2 structure is 13.38 m and the river water level to the tracks is 16.38 m so that the railroad tracks at Bridge 2 can be said to be safe against the river water level. Hydrological analysis is one part of a whole series in the planning of transportation structures such as roads, bridges and railway bridges including flood barrier embankments and so on.

Modern structures for slope stability in the design of artificial structures on railroad tracks

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Efficiency of reinforcement of transition sections on the railroad by the developed constructions

The article gives the reasons of occurrence and origin of defects of railroad track structure elements on approaches to bridges. The defects arising on sleepers and intermediate fasteners of the track structure and the costs obtained as a result of early replacement of the track structure elements on the transition sections are calculated. As a result of the received constructive decision the technological process of driving of reinforced concrete piles in an embankment for the purpose of maintenance of safe and reliable work of sleepers and intermediate fastenings during service life in 3 m on a transition section is developed. As a result of implementation of the developed design in 1384 transition sections, the economic efficiency amounted to 447.638 million sums. As a result of reinforcement of the transition section, the cost of current and lifting repair of the track is reduced.