Zbornik radova Koridor 10 - Kirilo Savić

3rd International Scientific and Professional Conference
CORRIDOR 10 - a sustainable way of integrations
FIG. 6. Possible positions of the elastic elements in the ballasted track
4.2 Specificity of use of ballastless track in an urban environment
Generally, the level of noise emitted while the vehicle is passing through on the ballastless track
(without additional noise protection measures) is greater than 5 dB(A) relative to ballasted track
(Buchman, 2006). In spite of that, minimal maintenance expenses, which were reduced to rail-care
and inspection, as well as long service life, give this solution an advantage in urban environment
(Darr, 2006).
What principally secludes ballastless track with respect to ballasted track is long service life and stable
track geometry with minimum activity and maintenance expenses during at least 60 years. One of the
prerequisites for fulfilment of this request is quality track geometry, according to the design, while
respecting set tolerances for track geometry accuracy.
Ballastless track geometry corrections are limited to interventions within elastic fastening system
capacities (CEN, 2002; Darr, 2006). Thus, the track is laid out only on the stable multilayered solid
bed.
Leaving ballast out requires the application of appropriately dimensioned elastic elements in
ballastless track. Elastic elements are most frequently placed within the fastening system, but they can
be found within or beneath sleepers, as well as beneath concrete slabs (Figure 7).
FIG. 7. Possible positions of the elastic elements in the ballastless track
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