Multi-factor method of comparison of the geometrical condition of railway tracks on bridges and tests sections

Abstract

The paper presents a method of comparing the geometrical condition of railway tracks at different times, in different places and with interdependent phenomena. This method involves treating the most important railway track properties as independent diagnostic variables and expressing each of them on a centile scale assumed as the basis for comparisons. The dependent variable is the geometric interval. In this way, it is possible to significantly enrich the description of the railway track condition on sections of railway lines on which changes in their state require a more detailed analysis, especially in terms of repair planning. Such sections are tracks on long bridges and sections on which new solution are tested. Selected track characteristic are obtained using diagnostics known in operation practice. The application of the method should facilitate planning of railway track repairs on bridges and comparison of results of experiments carried out on different test sections.