Seasonal effect on the optimization of rail defect inspection frequency

Xiang Liu, C. Tyler Dick, Alexander Lovett, Mohd Rapik Saat, Christopher P.L. Barkan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Broken rails are the most common cause of severe freighttrain derailments on American railroads. Reducing the occurrence of broken-rail-caused derailments is an important safety objective for the railroad industry. The current practice is to periodically inspect rails using non-destructive technologies such as ultrasonic inspection. Determining the optimal rail defect inspection frequency is a critical decision in railway infrastructure management. There is a seasonal variation in the occurrence of broken rails that result in train derailments. This paper quantifies the effect of this seasonal variation on the riskbased optimization of rail inspection frequency. This research can be incorporated into a larger framework of broken rail risk management to improve railroad transportation safety.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationASME 2013 Rail Transportation Division Fall Technical Conference, RTDF 2013
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ISBN (Print)9780791856116
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
EventASME 2013 Rail Transportation Division Fall Technical Conference, RTDF 2013 - Altoona, PA, United States
Duration: Oct 15 2013Oct 17 2013

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, Rail Transportation Division (Publication) RTD
ISSN (Print)1078-8883

Conference

ConferenceASME 2013 Rail Transportation Division Fall Technical Conference, RTDF 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAltoona, PA
Period10/15/1310/17/13

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanical Engineering

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