Improvements in High-Speed Ballasted Track Design: Benefits of Bituminous Subballast Layers
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2006
Subject Area
infrastructure - track, economics - operating costs, economics - benefits, mode - rail
Keywords
Subballast, Spain, Resilience, Railroad ballast, Operating costs, Low maintenance, High speed track, Design, Cost of operation, Bituminous materials, Ballast (Railroads)
Abstract
Track design plays an important role in high-speed rail performance. Increases in high-speed traffic demand and maximum rail speeds will necessitate the development of new, low-maintenance structural solutions for high-speed ballasted tracks. This paper shows that use of tracks with optimum resiliency can reduce railway system operational costs. Use of an alternative to the conventional granular subballast is discussed. The results with Japanese and Italian high-speed lines showing the effectiveness of bituminous subballasts formed the basis for a study focusing on the viability of this option. With Spain used as an example, a theoretical analysis of the characteristics of the bituminous track design is presented. The results of this analysis showed that structural performance was good when a 12-cm to 14-cm conventional bituminous subballast layer was used in lieu of the usual granular layers. Also discussed are ways that a bituminous subballast can reduce track maintenance needs.
Recommended Citation
Teixeira, Paulo, López-Pita, Andrés, Casas-Esplugas, Carles, Bachiller, Adrina, Robuste, Francesc, (2006.) Improvements in High-Speed Ballasted Track Design: Benefits of Bituminous Subballast Layers. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1943, pp 43-49.
