Passenger safety: Indian railways must change lane configuration to avoid derailments

Although rail accidents have been a topic of serious concern in recent years, 56% of the 659 accidents Over the past five years, a train derailment has highlighted the systemic defects badociated with railways.

Pbadenger safety is one of the priorities of the Indian Railways (IR) program. In order to reinforce the safety standards applicable to the more than 13,000 pbadenger trains that run daily on its 67,000 km network, the carrier wants to change the configuration of the tracks. This goes beyond the plan to fully mechanize the track inspection and maintenance process on the main line by 2020 and the entire network by 2024. [19659003Althoughrailaccidentshavebeenaseriousconcerninrecentyearsthefactthat56%ofthe659trainaccidentsinthelastfiveyearswereduetoaderailmenthasputmoreemphasisonsystemicdefectsrelatedtorailwaysThiswasconfirmedin2017-18when4405kmofrenewedandbettermaintainedtrackssawthenumberofaccidentsdropto73thelowestinthehistoryoftheIR

The use of the use of the lane configuration modification beginning next year rails with higher tensile strength (UTS) – measurement of the stress that a material can withstand without losing its original shape – wider, heavier concrete sleepers – rectangular supports under the rails – and thicker rubber pad between rails and crosspieces. Compared with the current 90 UTS, IR would choose 110-UTS rails, which would allow it to use 25-ton axle load wagons, with an authorized axle load of 22.8 tonnes. The change in the rail UTS train would also allow for a continuous movement of cars between the network and future freight corridors that would only operate on 25-tonne axle load cars.

"JSPL) have learned that the next call for rail offers would impose this requirement, which is why they should be ready to produce such rails." With the exception of the suburban sections, we will replace rails by those of higher UTS, "said a railway official.While SAIL and IR have reached an agreement for the supply of rails, JSPL has recently signed an order for rails of 1,000,000 lakh. 19659003] The size of the rubber pad between the rails and sleepers, which absorbs the train movement vibrations.In relation to the previous thickness of 6 mm, the new cushions would have a thickness of 10 mm.To strengthen the base the railways, the carrier chooses wider sleepers each weighing 350 kg, compared with the current 280 kg.

"The railways have been using the same concrete sleepers for 40 or 50 years. and opt for wider sleepers that are also heavier, "said the manager. The new sleepers would weigh down the track structure and allow the movement of more and heavier trains. Together, the new sleepers and rails would create a more robust and stable frame, and would control breaks and other problems that often lead to derailments. "Starting next year, all new and replacement sleepers will be new design," he adds.