A methodology for geophysical investigation of track defects.

This article presents possibilities of application of selected geophysical methods in railway engineering. Geophysical methods are used to observe a physical field. The measured data are interpreted in order to provide findings on geotechnical conditions of railway substructure and its surroundings. Geophysical methods have been unsystematically applied on European railways in the past. This paper's text is supported mainly by the measurements performed under the INNOTRACK projects at the sites in the Czech Republic, France, Spain, and Sweden. The geophysical testing has proved that the geophysical methods can reliably, quickly, in detail, and at a relatively low cost, inform about the problematic zones of the track. The effect of the geophysical application can be enhanced by long-term monitoring of track segments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]