Standards Development

Scope

This document specifies system and subsystem design for ballastless track systems.

The system and subsystem design specifications are assigned from the general requirements of ISO 18379-1. Where applicable, existing subsystem or component requirements from other standards are referenced.

Purpose

Railway track structures are safety critical components. There are mainly two types of track structure which are the ballasted track and the ballastless track. The ballastless track is widely used because of its outstanding advantages such as great performance of smoothness and stability, and less maintenance. With the development of high speed railway, the ballastless track has promising potential applications worldwide.

At present, Europe, Japan, China and other countries and regions have been operating a large number of ballastless track lines, accumulated rich practical experience, and developed a series of standards for ballastless track, but many countries that are building or planning to construct high speed railway have no relevant standards.

The published national and regional standards have great differences in the structural types, actions, system requirements, and related interfaces of ballastless track. The development of this international standard for ballastless track will actively promote the gradual integration of relevant standards, and also provide reference for the development and improvement of national standards, related to system design, quality control, acceptance, repair, and maintenance.

This proposed international standard is conducive to promoting international cooperation in ballastless track projects for urban rail transit, high-speed, heavy-haul railway, etc. After part 1 of ISO 18379 has included the general requirements, work has to be continued in Part 2 in order to specify the system and subsystem design specifications.