6th RAME Meeting, Paris, 7 December 2009 1

UIC activities related to the infrastructure

� Track Experts Group (TEG)

� Panel of Structural Experts (PoSE)

Franco SCHIAVI

Rail System Department

6th RAME Meeting, Paris, 7 December 2009 2

Strategies need an integrated approach Strategies need an integrated approach

to the railway systemto the railway system

•• Current conventional track system is likely to keep its Current conventional track system is likely to keep its

predominance (e.g. CWR, Concrete sleepers and ballast)predominance (e.g. CWR, Concrete sleepers and ballast)

•• Dedicated high speed passenger lines will be developed for Dedicated high speed passenger lines will be developed for

maximum speeds of 300 km/h maximum speeds of 300 km/h -- 350 km/h350 km/h

•• Current maximum acceptable axle load for freight (22,5 Current maximum acceptable axle load for freight (22,5

tonnes) will move to 25 tonnes. tonnes) will move to 25 tonnes.

•• BallastBallast--less track solutions will be adopted in some areas. less track solutions will be adopted in some areas.

The following general observations for track can be made:The following general observations for track can be made:

Research needs to concentrate on simple, reliable and safe solutResearch needs to concentrate on simple, reliable and safe solutions.ions.

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•• Improved wheel/rail interactionImproved wheel/rail interaction

•• Condition monitoring and remote evaluationCondition monitoring and remote evaluation

–– hot box, derailment detection, switch monitoring, RCF, hot box, derailment detection, switch monitoring, RCF, ……

•• Harmonised information exchange between Harmonised information exchange between IM(sIM(s), ), RU(sRU(s) and ) and

end userend user

•• Construction Construction –– ballastballast--less track, noise barriers & vibration less track, noise barriers & vibration

•• Switch and crossing standardisation (design, durability, Switch and crossing standardisation (design, durability,

inspection, detection)inspection, detection)

•• Rail defects detection technologiesRail defects detection technologies

•• Standardised databases and prediction modellingStandardised databases and prediction modelling

Current key issues Current key issues

for track applications are:for track applications are:

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•• New materials and methods of track constructionNew materials and methods of track construction

•• Low disruptive formation and embankment stabilisation Low disruptive formation and embankment stabilisation

techniquestechniques

•• Continued research to optimise switches and crossing design Continued research to optimise switches and crossing design

as well as life cycle costsas well as life cycle costs

•• New generation of maintenance machines based on absolute New generation of maintenance machines based on absolute

and relative positioning using satellite technologyand relative positioning using satellite technology

•• Lower cost level crossings with added safety featuresLower cost level crossings with added safety features

•• Low cost effective systems for detecting intrusions (e.g. Low cost effective systems for detecting intrusions (e.g.

bridge strikes, rock slips, vehicles on track) bridge strikes, rock slips, vehicles on track)

•• New composite materials New composite materials

And in the near future:And in the near future:

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Expert Groups: TEG and Expert Groups: TEG and PoSEPoSE

• Constitute an exchange platform between experts from IM (s)

• Produce at least one state-of-the-Art Report each year

• Are associated with international project in their field of Expertise

• Participate in interactive Workshops

• Contribute to the UIC dissemination and training activities in their field of expertise

• ……

Expert Groups manage, develop and promote technical solutions

(products) or processes (maintenance operations) to increase the

railway system performance reducing operational costs and

minimising the life cycle costs (LCC) of the assets.

6th RAME Meeting, Paris, 7 December 2009 6

Track Experts Group (TEG)Track Experts Group (TEG)

Ongoing projects :

• Under sleeper pads

• Under ballast mats

• Maintenance of switches and crossings

• Track Geometry Maintenance Durability (additional measurements)

• Track Condition Monitoring

• Track maintenance costs and positioning of ERTMS/ETCS devices

4 - 5 %

Impermeable soilGeocell slab - filled by sandy gravel

4 - 5 %

Ballast

Blanket layer

SleepersBallastBlanket layer

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� Guidelines and dissemination from INNOTRACK:

- Five training courses on results implementation.

- Two new leaflets as guidelines to implement the project

(rail grades, cracks propagation, inspection technologies)

- Supporting the setting up of standards for hollow sleepers.

� Report: Best practices for rail lubrication, and benchmarking

� RCF and Squats: periodic grinding according to train

frequencies and loads. Best practice and project proposal.

TEG expected deliverables in 2010TEG expected deliverables in 2010

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Projects in progress:Projects in progress:

• Builds a model of track with under ballast mats, and performs

theoretical calculations of the track resistance, stability and flexibility,

not only in the vertical direction but also in the “in plane” directions.

Under Ballast Mats (UBM)

• Evaluates the technical performance of USP in relation to LCC (track

geometry quality, deterioration rate, reduction of the ballast depth, ...) and

proposes guidelines on the use of USP according to the different track

conditions (i.e. track stiffness).

Track Condition Monitoring (TCM)

• Investigates the processes where RAMS and costs are influenced. The

project results will indicate how these processes can be improved by the

appropriate use of monitoring information. Particular details will given for

Switches & Crossing and Rolling Contact Fatigue

Under Sleeper Pads (USP) in track

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Elastic Elements of the track:Elastic Elements of the track:

Elastic Elements – Rail Pads

Elastic Elements - USP

Elastic Elements – Under Ballast Mat

In progress:

Under sleeper pads (UPS) 713-1 R

Under ballast mats (UBM) 719-1 R

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USPUSPUnder Sleeper PadsUnder Sleeper Pads

UBMUBMUnder Ballast MatsUnder Ballast Mats

Elastic Elements of the track:Elastic Elements of the track:

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Panel of Panel of StructuralStructural ExpertsExperts ((PoSEPoSE))

Ongoing projects :

� ALC – Axle Load Checkpoint

� Fatigue on noise barriers (Slipstream)

� Guardrails on bridges

� Defect in railway bridges and methods for inspections

(Sustainable Bridges & Effective Bridges)

� ASIRT (Assessment of smoke inside railway tunnels)

� Revision of leaflet 778-2: “Recommendation for determining

the carrying capacity of existing metal structure”.

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� Exchange of experience on Culverts and Pipes near or under track;

� Experience on (α) factor;

� “Railway bridge loading for existing and future traffic demands”;

� Masonry arch bridge: database maintenance and Report:

"Predictive Life-cycle management and maintenance planning of

masonry arch bridges”

PoSEPoSE expected deliverables in 2010expected deliverables in 2010

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UIC Civil Engineering Leaflets : UIC Civil Engineering Leaflets :

Construction Construction

During the last 5 years, Experts Groups have contributed to the edition

and to the revision of 53 UIC leaflets on the “Installations Fixes” such as:

Leaflet 719 R : Earthworks and

track bed for railway lines

Example of transitions between structures and earthworks

� terminology and classification of

soils and subgrades,

� construction of earthworks and

track bed layers for new lines,

� maintenance of earthworks and

track bed layers on existing lines.

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Leaflet UIC 713 R : Design of monoblock concrete sleepers

This document represents

a State of the Art, at the

date of publication, as

determined by a UIC expert

group and should not be a

barrier for further

development.

To better design concrete sleepers

Components: Sleepers Components: Sleepers

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Absolute positioning of the track and other fixed installations

ensures the independence from distances measured along

existing track and:

– provides durability in track design and markers in track,

– secures control of the track position,

– lasting information in databases,

– permits controls, from identical data, available at any time, for

any selected part of the track (e.g. measurements after works),

– eliminates controls and adjustments of over-head power lines

since the track is put back in design position,

– reduces errors.

Leaflet 728 R : Absolute coordinates for tack Leaflet 728 R : Absolute coordinates for tack

engineering work engineering work -- A Railway Geodesy approachA Railway Geodesy approach

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To provide assistance in the selection of rail steel grades. It helps in choosing the

most suitable rail for the specific railway operating conditions in each case.

Leaflet UIC 725 R: Treatment of rail defects

Leaflet UIC 721 R : Recommendations for the use of hard-grade steel and

ultra-hard-grade steel

Efficient rail defect management is dependent on the defects being classified into a

small number of defect types. It indicates factors to be taken into consideration

when planning inspection cycles.

Horizontal crack on an aluminothermic weld Horizontal crack in the rail head

Rails:Rails:

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Leaflet UIC 779 - 9 R : Safety in

railway tunnels

Describe the possible

measures to increase

passengers and personnel

safety in railway tunnels and

evaluate their cost.

Contains cost/benefits analysis

for new and existing tunnels

Structural works Structural works

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Application and experience with ballastless track

Compiles an inventory of a number of ballastless-track systems

which have been in use over a considerable period (about 10 years).

Vertical elasticity of ballastless track

Gives a state of the art for ballastless track vertical elasticity

and definition of different stiffness.

Recommendations for Design & Calculation of

ballastless track

Assists in the calculation of the whole ballastless track system.

Technical reports recently published Technical reports recently published

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Best practice guide for optimum track

geometry durability

This report is a summary of the investigations into the

methodologies for optimising track geometry durability

done by UIC experts.

These investigations have included:

• Capturing all the various methods of track geometry

recording and tamping used throughout UIC railways,

including contracting strategies, track quality intervention

levels, tamping methods etc

• Practical site tests of tampers, Dynamic Track Stabilisers,

and crib/shoulder ballast consolidators, on Swiss,

Austrian and Belgian railways.

Technical reports recently published Technical reports recently published

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Thank you for your attention!