Permanent Way Design
Abstract
This paper presents a simplified empirical track design procedure which provides a first order estimate that is suitable for an initial assessment of track standard requirements.
The design procedure is suitable for concept design and has been accepted on projects such as the New Southern Railway (Sydney, Australia) where it was used, together with performance based specifications, to enable the client to call tenders for detail design and construct contracts.
A more detailed analysis using sophisticated design procedures, eg computer models, should be undertaken before establishing the final track requirements.