Reliability analysis-based life cycle assessment of railway components using long-term maintenance data

Abstract

This study proposes a framework to evaluate the reliability of rail operation times and optimal maintenance intervals for sleepers and fasteners using a long-term maintenance database in South Korea. Additionally, the study investigates the effects of rail grinding and establishes optimal rail replacement intervals. It was found that the optimal maintenance interval of 2.04 and 2.36 months for fasteners and sleepers and optimal replacement interval of 89 months with griding interval of 10 months for rail would be recommended. It was also found that rail grinding reduces rail degradation rates and extends rail lifespan. In addition, reinforced concrete sleeper, concrete track bed (slab track), and straight rail track shows higher long-term durability than prestressed concrete sleeper, gravel ballast, and curved rail track. Overall, the proposed framework can provide data-driven cost- based optimization to determine the best maintenance strategies for long-term sustainable railway operation.