The use of elastic elements in railway tracks: A state of the art review

Railway is envisaged as the transportation mode of the future, but in spite of its advantages, its development is not exempt from technical difficulties that lead to track deterioration. To overcome these drawbacks, research in this field needs to be developed. Geometry degradation, as well as noise and vibration, have been identified as problems that need to be reduced, which could be possible by modifying track vertical stiffness and obtaining a more homogeneous value along the track. One measure to minimize these problems involves the installation of elastic elements (e.g. rail pads, under-sleeper pads, and under-ballast mats) in the railway track. In fact, this has now become the most effective means to vary track vertical stiffness as well as to abate noise emission and vibrations caused by the passage of trains. This paper discusses the problems associated with track stiffness, geometry degradation, and vibrations, and at the same time, studies the characteristics of elastic elements as well as the research carried out to test and evaluate their effectiveness. After reviewing and analyzing a wide range of research initiatives, this paper proposes a set of recommendations and guidelines for the use of elastic elements in railway infrastructure as well as highlighting a series of possible further investigations. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.