RESISTANT TRACK HOMOGENEITY: A WAY TO REDUCE MAINTENANCE COSTS

The aim of this paper is to outline the problems posed from a track deterioration point of view and, therefore, track configuration maintenance needs and the lack of homogeneity in vertical track stiffness along a route. The establishment of criteria which limit this longitudinal variation in vertical track stiffness could have an important effect on reducing railway line maintenance costs. This report also proposes a vertical track stiffness level to optimise resistance to the train and the vertical action of material on the track in the case of high-speed lines. For the covering abstract see ITRD E123713.