Comparison of sustainable materials for railway track support systems: a literature review

Abstract

Timber transoms have been extensively used in the railway industry for decades and are considered the most efficient and effective in terms of reliability and performance for railway infrastructure transom components However, many studies have raised concerns surrounding the future of sustainable use and cyclic maintenance and replacement requirement of timber transom’s in railway infrastructure Over the past decade, there has been significant research and development in alternative railway transom replacements using a variety of new materials. It is vital to develop a detailed understanding of existing and new alternative transom materials that are emerging into the railway industry and delineate whether these materials may be suitable as a sustainable alternative to traditional methods. Hence, the aim of this paper was to evaluate suitability of alternative transom materials as a substitute to existing transom materials in railway track support systems. The alternative materials considered were Precast Concrete and Composite Fibre Technology Panels against the conventional timber transforms. The paper offers a comparison between these materials through a literature review. It was concluded that the fibre composite alternative has the most beneficial alternative transom option and the railway industry could consider this material as an innovative, sustainable material for railway track support system.