RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SLAB TRACK

There is an increased interest in low-maintenance track designs. The advantages of non-ballasted tracks are considered: reduction of structure height, lower maintenance requirements, increased service life, high lateral track resistance and no churning of ballast particles at high-speed. The design of slab track is discussed. The slab track used on the Shinkansen network in Japan is described. Use of ballastless track in Germany (Rheda system and Bogl slabs), the Netherlands (Rheda system), France (Stedef system, Sonneville Low Vibration track, Swiss Walo system, Edilon block track system) and Italy is reviewed. All of these designs are supported at discrete points (the sleeper principle). A continuously supported rail system, the Embedded Rail Structure, has been used in the Netherlands.