A strategic decision-support tool for the risk-informed asset management of railway track infrastructure

摘要

Railways serve as a key sustainable mode of transportation for passengers and freight in urban, suburban, regional, and national contexts. With the rise in road traffic, which is seen as a less green form of transport and associated congestion, there is an increasing demand for railways to expand their capacity, availability and carry goods and passengers at ever higher speeds. Such increases in usage result in faster railway track degradation rates and higher maintenance costs. As a result, the UK is projected to spend £18.5bn on operation and maintenance during 2019-24, an increase of 25% compared to the previous five years~2,3. Since maintenance funding is provided from the public purse, maintenance investments should be made in an equitable and transparent manner which maximises benefits to all stakeholders whilst minimising the costs to the environment.