Verification of the DeCoTrack : a prediction model for degradation cost of track

Projekt:

JVTC

Sammanfattning:
This report presents the results of a research project concerning verification of a newly developed prediction model for railroad track degradation. The model, named DeCoTrack (Degradation Cost On Track), has been developed during 1998-2001 by a collaboration group gathering track experts at Banverket and a research team at Luleå University of Technology.
The verification is mainly based on an extensive literature survey trying to find other comparative models and to relate their output to that from DeCoTrack. Out of 900 abstracts, 40 articles were found of interest and studied in detailed. They led to three existing models:
TMPM/ITDM - Track Maintenance Planning Model / Integrated Track Degradation Model TRACS - Total Right of Way Analysis and Costing System The Damage Exponent Heavy Axle Load Analysis These models turned out to be more complex then DeCoTrack but that also makes them more difficult to implement and use. In addition these models are also mainly focused on the modelling of uniform freight traffic while DeCoTrack tries to model the track degradation of mixed traffic routes.
A direct comparison of outputs from these models has been done on traffic conditions where the articles have presented quantitative data and under those circumstances the correlation turned out to be good.

Searching for more external research knowledge on freight traffic leads undoubtedly to U.S. and the AAR/TTC test centre in Colorado. All of the three models above refer in some way to data from that centre. When it comes to fast speed or high-speed passenger traffic and related maintenance issues, the major sources of knowledge can be found in Germany and Japan.

Future research is suggested to concentrate on vehicle classification. The domestic situation in Sweden with deregulation in traffic and mixed traffic on same routes highly prioritise such a decision. From an international perspective, that effort might bring a useful complement to the other models. They are focused on uniform freight traffic.


Författare: Dan Larsson
Utgivare: Luleå tekniska universitet
Utgivningsdatum: 2002
Diarienummer: TRV 2011/58769
ISSN: 1402-1528
Språk: Engelska
Kontaktperson: Per Olof Larsson Kråik, UHjbs