PLANNING OF MECHANIZED TRACK MAINTENANCE BY THE NETHERLANDS RAILWAYS, BASED ON TRACK RECORDING CAR DATA

This article outlines the procedure followed at present by the Netherlands Railways in planning their mechanical track maintenance. The track geometry constitutes the most important information and is measured twice annually by means of the French Mauzin car. A discussion of the area of validity of these data, based on recording ranges and transfer functions of the measuring system is followed by a close investigation of the analysis and processing of the recording signals. The criteria for determining track maintenance, which at the moment are still entirely based on empirical evidence, are explained and illustrated with the help of a maintenance recommendation released in 1979. It was found that the framework of this method holds out the promise for practical applications with usable results. Nevertheless, there clearly exists a need for further improvements, especiallly with respect to more precise recording systems and a more scientific substructure for the standardization criteria, based on an adequate vehicle/track model.