The paper discusses a procedure for systematic and holistic (considering most of the factors influencing the rail degradation process) analysis and prediction of rail failures so that rail maintenance can be performed effectively. The current rail maintenance and reporting procedure followed by Banverket (Swedish National Rail Administration) for the Swedish Iron Ore Line is also described. The necessary data required to perform analysis and prediction of failures are discussed along with the improvement areas in Banverket's database management system.
This paper will help the infrastructure managers to better understand the existing rail maintenance procedure, and the improvements which can be incorporated in the existing procedure to make it more effective.
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