Development of Rail-Condition Assessment Model Using Ultrasonic Technique

Abstract

Optimized and cost-effective railway track repair and maintenance planning requires periodic evaluation of railway track performance for which a track condition index is necessary. In particular, rail internal defects have not been sufficiently considered in the currently used rail quality indices, although they have been frequently reported as the main causes of railway derailments. This study is devoted to develop a new rail condition index which takes into account rail surface/visual defects as well as all reported internal defects for the first time. The index is based on data obtained from visual and automated measurements using an ultrasonic technique. The results obtained indicate that the consideration of rail internal defects in the evaluation of rail conditions has a considerable effect on the accuracy of rail quality predictions. It was shown that the new assessment model can considerably improve track safety by providing more precise repair strategies.