A Methodology Linking Tamping Processes and Railway Track Behaviour

Today’s railway transport is built upon high-performance infrastructure. Cost-effective yet sustainable infrastructure presumes tracks with a precise and durable geometry. At ballasted tracks, the geometry created restored through tamping machines, which position track panel compact ballast beneath sleepers. It commonly agreed that compaction plays an important role in long-term stability of track. Yet, there no method available allows direct correlation between compactness Available studies either model behaviour without considering bedding, or analyse locally while disregarding its influence on This paper presents new methodology establishes relation these two topics—ballast during subsequent behaviour. A state-of-the-art machine has been equipped experimental measurement setup, constantly recording relevant data every process. These can be used to derive indication for achieved under sleeper. Utilising machine’s internal measuring system documentation, process (every sleeper) assigned along The set merged synchronised regular measurements manager. result comprehensive analyses provides foundation future research, aiming towards better understanding quality durability established