Various types of transit rail corrugation are identified, evaluated, and classified. Explanations are offered regarding the mechanisms by which these rail corrugations are formed. Potential mitigation measures are offered for each type of rail corrugation identified.

Rail corrugation is a serious and costly problem for many rail transit agencies. Several analytical and experimental investigations have been conducted to understand the mechanisms involved in rail-corrugation development and to identify means for reducing its occurrence. These investigations indicated that fastener stiffness, vehicle suspension, rail metallurgy, track geometry, and operating conditions are among the factors that affect the development of rail corrugation in transit track. These studies, however, did not provide conclusive information to alleviate rail-corrugation development. Thus, research was needed to provide a better understanding of the rail-corrugation initiation and growth process; to establish the influence of track, vehicle, and operating characteristics on rail-corrugation development; and to develop suitable means for reducing rail corrugation.

Research was undertaken by the Association of American Railroads to (1) provide a better understanding of rail corrugation initiation and growth in order to establish the effect of track, vehicle, and operating characteristics on rail corrugation development, and (2) offer suitable means for reducing rail corrugation in transit systems. To achieve these objectives, the researchers conducted a literature search of corrugation research; conducted comprehensive site visits to transit systems where rail corrugation has occurred, collecting detailed data on both the track and the vehicles operating on the track; derived parameters characterizing the dynamic behavior of the track and the vehicles; developed theoretical models of possible corrugation mechanisms; correlated experimental data with theory; and offered suggestions for corrugation mitigation on transit track.

The results of this project have been published as TCRP Research Results Digest 26, which is available in portable document format (PDF). Double-click on the file below to access this RRD. (A free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader is available at
https://www.adobe.com).

TCRP Research Results Digest 26