Zbornik radova Koridor 10 - Kirilo Savić

3rd International Scientific and Professional Conference
CORRIDOR 10 - a sustainable way of integrations
The track geometry limits given in EN 13848-5 differ from the three vehicle acceptance levels QN1,
QN2 and QN3 used in UIC Code 518 [11] and in EN 14363 – Railway applications – Testing for the
acceptance of running characteristics of railway vehicles – Testing of running behaviour and stationary
tests. Quality levels QN1, QN2 and QN3 are connected with testing and approval of railway vehicles
from the point of view of their dynamic behaviour. More particularly QN3 is quite different from IAL.
QN3 refers to the value which, if exceeded, leads to the track section being excluded from the analysis
because the track geometric quality encountered is not representative of usual quality standards.
Unlike IAL, level QN3 still allows regular train operations.
3. TECHNICAL REGULATIONS IN THE AREA OF RAILWAY TRACK MAINTENANCE IN THE
REPUBLIC OF SERBIA
Evaluation of the geometry condition of the lines of Serbian Railways network is performed according
to the Instruction 339 on unique criteria for track condition control [15]. All track geometry defects are
divided into three groups:
A – values up to which it is not necessary to plan and perform corrective maintenance operations,
B – defects which require planning of corrective maintenance operations, and
C – defects which are above exploitation limits and which must be immediately removed because
they jeopardize the traffic safety.
Limit values of the track geometry parameters for all three groups are referring to deviation tolerance
of maximum parameter values from the zero line. They are given as a function of category of line, i.e.
maximum speed of vehicles running on the line.
At first glance, the three groups of defects match the quality levels defined in the EN 13848-5.
However, unlike the European standard, where beside isolated defects, deviations of mean values
and standard deviations of certain parameters are also being considered, only isolated defects, i.e.
deviations of maximum parameter values from the zero line are being considered here, as stated
(Table 2).
Apart from that, there is a difference in definition of principal track geometric parameters. According to
EN 13848-1, longitudinal level and alignment present deviation from the “ideal”, i.e. designed rail
position in the vertical and horizontal plane. According to the Instruction 339 these parameters are
defined according to the mutual position of the rails, i.e. their relative position in the space [8].
Tab.2. Quality levels of the track geometry parameters according to [15]
Track gauge + + +
Longitudinal
level
Nominal to Zero to peak
peak value value
A B C A B C
+ + +
Alignment + + +
Cross level + + +
Twist + + +
Evaluation of the condition of the track is performed based on the total length of defects in groups B
and C over the distance of 1 kilometre. The condition of one kilometre of the line can be very good,
good, satisfactory or unsatisfactory. The limit value of total length of defects in groups B and C is
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