A Review Study on Assessing the Sustainability of Design and Maintenance of Slab Track Systems for Turkey

Authors : Alper CEBECI

Pages : 325-336

Doi:10.29137/umagd.635267

View : 20 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2020-06-30

Article Type : Review Paper

Abstract :Many companies provide different slab track products and solutions. Various types of these are used in Japan, Europe and North America. The utilization of slab track benefits railway operators in terms of RAMS insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(reliability, availability, maintainability and safety); as well as the life cycle cost despite its high initial cost. In Japan, the maintenance cost of slab track is 25%  of the maintenance cost of ballasted track. In addition, recent surveys show that the construction costs of slab track are 30% to 50% higher than the construction cost of standard ballasted track. Slab track companies have introduced innovations that reduces both maintenance and life cycle costs. This type of track can provide better level crossing for the mixed traffic zones or the emergency access. Moreover, slab track systems have been used for reducing the tunnel height and track construction depth as well as increasing the availability of the systems in specific circumstances. In case of the railway lines, which consist of many special parts such as tunnels, viaducts and substructures, slab track is the best option for construction. For example, tunnel heights or bridge loads can be reduced with slab track systems. Therefore, the utilization of slab track may create an economic advantage. The slab track system might also be used in busy railway networks, as it offers a good alternative due to the availability issues. In general, the embedded track systems and the floating slab track systems are better options for the Turkish railways.
Keywords : Slab Track, Sustainability, Turkey