THE EFFECTS OF FIXED PLANT AND ROLLING STOCK TECHNOLOGY ON RAILROAD TRACK COSTS - AREMA Paper Publication Submission

摘要

Due to advances in railroad track technology between 1970 and 2000, U.S. Class 1 Railroad mainline steady-state track costs declined between 20% and 67%, depending upon traffic density. The average track cost reduction was 43%, equating to savings on the order of $ 1.5 billion annually for the industry. The greatest savings in track costs from track technological advances were on high density lines and curved track sections. The greatest savings originated from advances in rail durability and rail maintenance techniques, such as grinding and lubrication practices. Advances in track technology also eliminated diseconomies of traffic density at higher line densities. Vehicle technology had little of an overall effect on track costs, as improvements in railcar net-to-tare weight generally compensated for the effects of increases in axle loads. Among the major commodity groups, automotive traffic had the greatest track cost improvement between 1970 and 2000. while coal traffic experienced the least improvement. The effects of track and vehicle technology on steady-state railroad track costs were analyzed using the Total Right-Of-Way Analysis and Costing System (TRACS), an engineering-based track deterioration computer model developed by MIT for the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Levels of technology consistent with the track maintenance practices and the railcars in use in the years 1970, 1985, and 2000 were assumed.