Author(s)

J. F. Shen, Y. D. Xu, H. F. Li

Abstract

With the rapid development of the high-speed railway in China, a great challenge is brought to high-speed railway management departments in view of the high traffic density, short skylight, high demand of track quality, and difficulties in ballastless track maintenance. In order to ensure the safe and smooth running of the high-speed railway system with limited maintenance resources, it is necessary to conduct reasonable assessments and management of the quality of the track. The objective of this study is to propose a comprehensive method to evaluate the track quality considering track geometry condition and track structure condition. Track Quality Level Index (TQLI) is proposed to indicate the track quality with a corresponding calculation formula. A detailed introduction of the classification standard of track quality level is also discussed. This study uses the method of centesimal grade and analytic hierarchy process for nondimensionalization and weight coefficient determination, analyses the sensitivity of the weights with perturbation method, and then modifies the parameter weights according to the results of the sensitivity analysis. Finally, practical effects of the track quality level management system are examined with a case study of the Shanghai–Nanjing intercity high-speed railway in China.

Keywords

high-speed railway, ballastless track, maintenance, grade management