Quantification of the Mechanized Ballast Cleaning Process Efficiency Using GPR Technology

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) has been used recently for diagnostics of the railway infrastructure, particularly ballast layer. To overcome fouling, mechanized cleaning process, which increases track occupancy time and cost, is usually used. Hence it crucial significance to identify at stage life cycle, level should be initiated. In present study, a series in situ GPR surveys on selected sections Czechia was performed obtain granite relative dielectric permittivity (RDP) values several phases lifecycle. data were collected form B-scan, time-domain analysis post-processing. The results indicate (i) change RDP (long term); (ii) dependency fouling RDP; (iii) during thus its efficiency. This research aimed provide new perspectives into decision-making process initiating intervention based GPR-measured data.