3.5 Strengthening of Inspection and Control of Track Conditions
Until recently, one track foreman would make the rounds of his tracks to inspect them himself. He would then evaluate the need for maintenance work based on his own experience, draw up a plan, and order his subordinates to perform the work.
Now, inspections are conducted using inspection equipment, the results are entered into a database and analyzed with a computer, a maintenance work plan is formulated, and the required materials and labor evaluated. The computer in these duties has been connected to a network, and both input and output can be performed both at a central location and on site. This represents the true situation of track control in the making today.
The stages which have developed are extremely diverse, covering track recording cars (Fig. 6), ultrasonic rail flaw detector cars (Fig. 7), rail tread recorders, joint gap recorders, and devices which travel along rails and continuously output extremely accurate data, measuring devices installed in service trains, human-operated devices which provide data for computer processing, devices which use general purpose measuring instruments and visual inspection devices, as before.
Improvements in the performance of computers and peripheral equipment which process inspection results data and convert it into indexes required for control and work have also been remarkable. No matter how great the amount of track data, it can now be processed at a marginal cost.
Furthermore, research into track dynamics has progressed, and recently, the scope of data application has expanded through methods that incorporate information theory concepts such as the transmission function, response function and filters in the relationship between tracks and running cars. However, ideal track control methods cannot be established immediately, and at this stage, all possible areas are being introduced in sequence as subsystems. Equipment will have to be developed, systems constructed, efforts put into staff training and other activities undertaken, keeping in mind a vision for the future.
3.6 Track Maintenance Work
Track maintenance works takes many forms according to the railway development stage and socio-economic factors. When the transport volume of railways rises and speeds become higher, deterioration and, in turn, maintenance work, increase. At the same time, the interval between trains in which to perform maintenance is shortened. Generally harsh conditions also tend to cause difficulties in securing the labor required for track maintenance work.
Before these situations arise, action must be taken by strengthening the tracks to reduce the amount of maintenance, and by revising the work system, mechanizing the work and other activities.
