Parametric optimisation of railway track structures

Abstract

Railway track has been one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly modes of transportation for a number of years. The use of freight trains is an economical means of transporting natural resource commodities. South Africa is one of the richest countries in natural resources and exports 28% of its coal production, making it the fourth largest coal-exporting country in the world. Conventional ballasted railway track structures are still the most popular and universally adaptable method used today. Although the conventional track structure has been modified and altered over several years, little has been done to optimise the structure to its full potential.