Rail transportation is one of the most sustainable forms of moving people and goods across cities, states, countries, and continents. To do this safely and efficiently, one of the key components, the rail, needs to be kept in fully functional condition.
The high static and dynamic loads between wheel and rail cause rail degradation in the form of surface plastic flow, wear, crack development (surface and sub-surface), and thermal damage. If not countered accordingly, the affected rails will have to be exchanged prematurely. The infrastructure owner can rely on several strategies, measures, and technologies, known collectively as “rail treatment,” to extend the life of rails.