Acoustic and Dynamic Characteristics of a Complex Urban Turnout Using Fibre-Reinforced Foamed Urethane (FFU) Bearers

A special track system used to divert a train to other directions or other tracks is generally called a ‘railway turnout’. A traditional turnout system includes rails, switches, crossings (special track components), steel plates, fasteners, screw spikes, timber bearers, ballast and formation. The wheel/rail contact over the crossing transfer zone has a dip-like shape and can often cause detrimental impact loads on the railway track and its components. The large impact also emits disturbing noises (either impact or ground-borne noise) to railway neighbors.