Maintenance Management of U.S. Army Railroad Networks - The RAILER (railroad Maintenance Management System) System: Component Identification and Inventory Procedures

The U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USA-CERL) is developing the Railroad Maintenance Management System (RAILER) as a comprehensive program for track inventory, inspection, maintenance, and repair. The Army previously had no standard, systematic approach to maintaining trackage on its installations. When RAILER is completed and field-tested successfully, it will be available to installations for (1) locating and identifying physical assets, (2) assessing conditions, (3) determining maintenance and repair (M&R) needs, and (4) planning M&R work. This report describes the first phase of RAILER--location and identification of physical assets. This phase is fundamental to any level of implementation for the system. Procedures are described for dividing installation railroad track networks into specific tracks and track segments. A location reference system is explained with examples and illustrations provided. Finally, this volume identifies major inventory data elements and important element attributes needed for maintenance management along with methods of data collection. Future technical reports will describe track inspection procedures; the development of interim railroad maintenance procedures; a project prioritization method; track evaluation procedures; finalized railroad maintenance management practices using RAILER; and long-range work planning.