PRACTICE-ORIENTED TRAMWAY TRACK CONDITION MONITORING AND GIS SYSTEM Ákos VINKÓ, PhD Student, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary Email: [email protected] In addition to visual inspection, mostly the under-load track geometry and vehicle dynamics measuring systems are used to determine track condition state on the European rail networks. The under load condition monitoring of tramway tracks is not widespread. On the one hand the reason for this may be the applied lower operation speed and axle load in tramway operation, on the other hand the higher safety factor of tramway tracks. According to experts condition monitoring based on visual inspection is sufficient enough to plan maintenance work of tramways. A uniform Track Condition Assessment Model, which is based on visual inspection and automatic under-load track geometry measuring system too, is needed to reduce maintenance cost and increase safety and ride comfort for passengers. In accordance with demands of the modern age, the data of asset management and the details of observed track defects must be stored in data base and display them on maps. Budapest has a large tram network, where significant reconstruction and development works are made currently. For the specialists of Budapest Public Transport Ltd. there is no decision support system, which facilitates the planning of maintenance work. This developing method wants to make maintenance work more efficient by using approximate estimate of track condition. Determining of track condition is based on visual inspection and data of in-service vehicle’s wheels- mounted accelerometers as well as GIS tools. This GIS system enables you to store data of the automatic under-load track geometry measuring devices and the visually observed track defects during perambulation of the tram lines too. An online failure registration form ensures the location-based data recording of the observed failures for track inspectors. The form has three parts: the identification of fault location, the selection of track type, moreover, specifying the type and the form of failure as track structural components. Recently this system consists of the actual track geometry and track types as well as the applied track structural components of tram line 41 and 49 in Budapest. The basic features of tram lines and track defects, which are stored in database, can be easily queried and displayed on maps according to various criteria. A large number of recorded track defects can allow you to use statistical evaluation in order to estimate the track condition and make maintenance work more and more efficient. .