RHEDA 2000®: Ballastless track systems for high-speed rail applications

Dynamic developments in the new construction and expansion of railway infrastructure have posed new challenges in the development and application of products, system components and services. Over the past 10-15 years, ballastless track systems have developed as standard technology, now applied for railway track on high-speed and heavy-haul lines. Successful international applications in the high-speed field, ballastless track has also become exceptionally well established in the form of modified system variants in mass rapid transit for urban and suburban traffic. This has replaced less effective solutions for such applications. In all fields of application, the railway infrastructure industry has over the past decades developed, tested and applied a broad spectrum of products and system variants to fulfil requirements placed on line sections and track structural design. This paper elaborates on the technological and economic advantages of ballastless track technology, and describes experience gained in international projects.