Uncertainty in Rail-Track Geometry Degradation: Lisbon-Oporto Line Case Study
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 3
Abstract
This paper analyzes rail-track geometry degradation and uncertainty related to the phenomenon on the basis of the inspection of car records from recently upgraded sections of the Lisbon-Oporto line. Statistical analysis is performed distinguishing four groups of track sections based on the features of the infrastructure. For each group of track sections, lognormal distributions are fitted to track geometry degradation parameters. Moreover, important correlations between degradation parameters are explored, so that the assessment of the maintenance cycles of future upgraded lines can integrate them through simulation. Spatial linear correlations between degradation parameters are also explored, and some that may influence life-cycle maintenance, renewal, and unavailability costs are highlighted.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to thank the support and collaboration of the Portuguese Railway Infrastructure Manager, REFER, E.P.E., as well as the support of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, FCT (Project Reference UNSPECIFIEDPTDC/ECM/70571/2006). Moreover, the writers wish to thank the reviewers for their comments.
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© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 19, 2010
Accepted: Jul 23, 2010
Published online: Feb 15, 2011
Published in print: Mar 1, 2011
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