Evaluation of track geometry maintenance for a heavy haul railroad in Sweden: A case study

• Published in: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit
• Main Authors: khouy, Iman Arasteh, Schunnesson, Håkan, Juntti, Ulla, Nissen, Arne, Larsson-Kråik, Per-Olof
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publications 2013
• Subjects: Mechanical Engineering; Northern Sweden
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0954409713482239; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0954409713482239; http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1177/0954409713482239

The measurement and improvement of track quality are key issues in determining both the restoration time and cost of railway maintenance. Applying the optimal tamping strategy helps reduce maintenance costs, making operations more cost-effective and leading to increased safety and passenger comfort. In this paper, track geometry data from the iron ore line (Malmbanan) in northern Sweden, which handles both passenger and freight trains, are used to evaluate track geometry maintenance in a cold climate. The paper describes Trafikverket’s (Swedish Transport Administration) tamping strategy and evaluates its effectiveness in measuring, reporting and improving track quality. Finally, it evaluates the performance of the maintenance contractor and discusses the importance of the functional requirements stated in the outsourcing contracts.