Modeling an optimal track maintenance schedule in consideration of timing of grinding and tamping

Abstract

Today, tamping machines and rail grinding machines are used to maintain ballasted tracks and to remove rail surface irregularities, respectively. Even though maintenance cycles could be extended and the total cost of maintenance could be reduced by efficiently combining these two machines, they are usually operated independently. As such, in order to estimate the effect of combining both these machines (combined maintenance), a model has been designed along with a scheduling system, as a simple method for preparing maintenance schedules which combine tamping and grinding. Investigations were also carried out to establish how long this type of maintenance lasts, and determine the optimum level of combined maintenance.