Behaviour of ballasted track during high speed train passage

Background
• Increased train speeds on both new and classic railway
lines
• Lack of detailed analytical understanding of track system
/ sub-soil behaviour, even for traditional speed railways
• Not sure how well past experience and observation
(empiricism) will extrapolate to higher speed lines
• Application of recent advances in soil mechanics and
instrumentation ⇒ improved understanding of ballast
and sub-base performance ⇒ better whole life cost
modelling
• Is ballasted track the best choice for high speed rail?
High Speed Track
Railways Day - 15 February 2011