Sustainable measures that ensure the availability of infrastructure require a solid basis for decision-making. Ultimately, the aim is to budget for maintenance in such a way that the work is carried out at the best possible time economically speaking, if possible with little or no restrictions on operations.

What data is relevant for this? When is the best time to start collecting and analysing it?

Regular measurements for inspection are the preventive healthcare of your track. At an early stage, they show when action is required. Continuous monitoring and analysis of wear behaviour allows countermeasures to be taken in good time.

Specific preliminary measurements are required to determine correction values and material requirements. During these interventions, valuable information is also generated about how the work was carried out and what results were achieved. In turn, continuous documentation of this data forms an initial building block for subsequent condition assessments.

To ensure railway line availability and enable greater capacity, it is necessary to systematically plan and implement construction measures. There are different strategies and approaches to this around the world.

Measurements, construction, and maintenance services are often commissioned separately by different stakeholders. As a result, this work is still often separated in terms of the vehicles used. Modern track maintenance machines already integrate many additional functions and process steps that previously required labour-intensive work in the danger zone and thus additional track possessions. In addition to measuring systems, digital tools and networked control systems provide a holistic picture for consistent results, regardless of operating staff’s experience. Plasser & Theurer’s end-to-end solutions optimize costs and ensure seamless quality.