Modelling rail track performance: an integrated approach

Ongoing work at the Queensland University of Technology has developed an integrated computer-based tool for the prediction of rail track behaviour under changing traffic conditions. The track degradation model described in this paper takes into account degradation due to interactions between track components. The model uses mechanistic relationships and embraces all the major factors that may influence service life of track components. The model was applied to a typical Australian railway track. The results showed that increasing axle load and train speed accelerates degradation of the track and wear of rails. The rate of failure of timber sleepers is sensitive to the age of the sleepers, traffic parameters and to environmental factors such as rate of decay of timber and how well the track drains. Increases in axle loads may not lead to a higher rate of sleeper damage failure at fixed traffic tonnage.