GEOMETRY VARIATION OF BALLASTED RAILWAY TRACKS DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Purpose. Investigate and establish the relationship between track geometry measurements and weather conditions to determine the parameters that influence the lifetime of railway tracks’ superstructure system. The study of ballasted beds of railway tracks is very important for operation and maintenance in case of main lines, industrial sidings and mine transport. Methodology. Determination of the annual load of the selected section based on the regulations. Compari of the track parameters measurements made by TrackScan 4.01 instrument in different seasons and temperatures. Among the parameters measured by the instrument, the track gauge, alignment, longitudinal level, and superelevation parameters are considered and analyzed in this article.Since the main lines’ traffic are permanently loaded with passenger and freight transport and the industrial sidings and mine tracks are used in the production process, the examinations can only be done on tramway tracks during the standstills at night. The results of these measurement on tramway tracks can help to understand the identify of railway tracks’ lifetime and can be used in mainlines, industrial and mining railway tracks. Findings. The change in the average values of selected track geometrical parameters is analyzed, considering the typical weather conditions. Based on the measurement and results, there is an evident connection between the evaluated results of track geometry measurements and the change in weather conditions. Originality. Finding the relationship between changes in track geometry values and weather conditions on the basis of an evaluation of track geometry measurements taken on average every third month. Practical value. The results can then be used as input data for determining the service life of the track superstructure in the case of tramways, mainlines, industrial and mining railway tracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]