Rail Transit Track Inspection and Maintenance
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APTA STANDARDS DEVEL OPMENT PROGRAM APTA RT-FS-S-002-02, Rev. 1 STANDARD First Published: Sept. 22, 2002 American Public Transportation Association First Revision: April 7, 2017 1300 I Street, NW, Suite 1200 East, Washington, DC 20006 Rail Transit Fixed Structures Inspection and Maintenance Working Group Rail Transit Track Inspection and Maintenance Abstract: This standard provides minimum requirements for inspecting and maintaining rail transit system tracks. Keywords: fixed structures, inspection, maintenance, qualifications, rail transit system, structures, track, training Summary: This document establishes a standard for the periodic inspection and maintenance of fixed structure rail transit tracks. This includes periodic visual, electrical and mechanical inspections of components that affect safe and reliable operation. This standard also identifies the necessary qualifications for rail transit system employees or contractors who perform periodic inspection and maintenance tasks. Scope and purpose: This standard applies to transit systems and operating entities that own or operate rail transit systems. The purpose of this standard is to verify that tracks are operating safely and as designed through periodic inspection and maintenance, thereby increasing reliability and reducing the risk of hazards and failures. This document represents a common viewpoint of those parties concerned with its provisions, namely operating/ planning agencies, manufacturers, consultants, engineers and general interest groups. The application of any standards, recommended practices or guidelines contained herein is voluntary. In some cases, federal and/or state regulations govern portions of a transit system’s operations. In those cases, the government regulations take precedence over this standard. The North American Transit Service Association (NATSA) and its parent organization APTA recognize that for certain applications, the standards or practices, as implemented by individual agencies, may be either more or less restrictive than those given in this document. © 2017 NATSA and its parent organization. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise, without the prior written permission of NATSA. Table of Contents Participants ........................................................................................................................................................................... v Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................... vi Note on alternate practices................................................................................................................................................... vi 1. Overview ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Measuring track not under load .............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Combination of conditions ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Restoration and renewal of track ............................................................................................................ 1 2. Qualified persons .......................................................................................................................................... 1 2.1 Designation of qualified persons ............................................................................................................ 1 2.2 Work performed by others...................................................................................................................... 1 2.3 Minimum qualifications of qualified persons ......................................................................................... 1 3. Inspection ...................................................................................................................................................... 2 3.1 Track inspection ..................................................................................................................................... 2 3.2 Rail inspection ........................................................................................................................................ 2 3.3 Continuous welded rail inspection ......................................................................................................... 2 3.4 Geometry inspection ............................................................................................................................... 2 3.5 Detailed switch and crossing inspection ................................................................................................. 3 3.6 Special inspection ................................................................................................................................... 3 4. Condition reporting ....................................................................................................................................... 3 4.1 Reporting of a condition’s location ........................................................................................................ 3 4.2 Classes of track ....................................................................................................................................... 3 4.3 Condition prioritization .......................................................................................................................... 4 5. Corrective action ........................................................................................................................................... 5 5.1 Required action ....................................................................................................................................... 5 5.2 Conditions detected by automated track inspection vehicles ................................................................. 5 6. Roadbed ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 6.1 Drainage ................................................................................................................................................. 5 6.2 Vegetation .............................................................................................................................................. 6 6.3 Storage of materials and equipment along the right-of-way .................................................................. 6 7. Track appliances and devices ..................................................................................................................... 6 7.1 Lift. rails ................................................................................................................................................. 6 7.2 Derails .................................................................................................................................................... 6 7.3 Slip rails (expansion joints) .................................................................................................................... 7 7.4 Switch heaters ......................................................................................................................................... 7 7.5 Rail lubrication ....................................................................................................................................... 7 8. Track geometry ............................................................................................................................................. 8 8.1 Track gage .............................................................................................................................................. 8 8.2 Horizontal alignment (line) .................................................................................................................... 8 8.3 Track surface .......................................................................................................................................... 9 8.4 Superelevation ........................................................................................................................................ 9 8.5 Superelevation runoff ............................................................................................................................. 9 8.6 Determination of superelevation ............................................................................................................ 9 8.7 Horizontal curve data ........................................................................................................................... 10 © 2017 American Public Transportation Association | ii 9. Track structure ............................................................................................................................................ 10 9.1 Ballast ................................................................................................................................................... 10 9.2 Rail fastener requirements .................................................................................................................... 11 9.3 Clearances ...........................................................................................................................................