TRACK AND BRIDGE MAINTENANCE RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS

This report includes the design of seven research plans in the area of track and bridge maintenance. The railroad industry was surveyed to ascertain the maintenance problems of their greatest concern which lend themselves to resolution by research. The problems uncovered in the survey were ranked based upon the opinion of the industry and the following seven of the top ranked problem categories were selected for the development of research plans: I--Bridge Inspection, Rating and Evaluation of Remaining Life; II--Subgrade Stabilization and Improvement; III--Timber Cross Tie Rehabilitation and Disposal; IV--Special Trackwork Maintenance; V--Bolted Joints; VI--Ballast Fouling From External Sources; and VII--Switch Point Wear Limits.