Track Condition Assessment Using Primary Suspension Data

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Track Condition Assessment Using Primary Suspension Data

Siow, Y. K. / Foo, D. Y. / Nguyen, T. N. / Chia, W. L.

Abstract Primary suspension of trains can be a useful tool, given its generic commonality across metro systems. This paper presents the findings from its use for track condition assessment. It is premised on the understanding that suspension movement represents a filtered reflection of track undulations and geometry changes. The findings tap on measurements from in-service passenger trains, which cover the system on an almost daily basis over a 2-year period. The movement profiles are plotted against track length and presented with trackform and train speed information. A general reference is provided for tangent and curve tracks before detail analyses based on known track maintenance activities were made. An interesting note is that part of track system had undergone re-sleepering during this period. This provides an opportunity for condition assessment on pre- and post re-sleepering activity. Results on a specific track section chart the change and improvement from track tamping activities. These and other observations provide a sense of the utility that can be accorded using suspension data. The motivation is to progressively develop a data-driven measure to reflect track condition, for a build-up of time-slice references from periodic back-end analyses. This could be used to prioritize maintenance activities.