Evaluation of Countermeasures against Differential Settlement at Track Transitions

Track transitions such as slab track to ballasted track, level crossings and bridge abutments are common locations of accelerated track geometry degradation (differential settlement). In this paper, we study the mechanism of wheel load variation caused by changes in track stiffness and loose sleepers using a track dynamic model based on the results of measurement. We then evaluate countermeasures such as larger sleepers, resilient sleepers and a track-lifting technique.