Justification of the need for additional criteria for scheduling preventive track surfacing based on spectral analysis of vertical irregularities in the track gauge

This article justifies the need to use spectral indicators of vertical rail track irregularities as additional diagnostic features when assigning scheduled preventive track surfacing on lines with particularly heavy loads. An analysis of the current B criteria established by the Rules for Assigning Repairs has been performed.

The authors propose their own spectral indicators: short wave energy (ranges D0–D1 according to EN 13848 classification), system degradation index, and dominant wavelength. Model data generated by superposition of harmonics with a given energy distribution across ranges was used for verification. The full-scale profile was restored using fast Fourier transform and the inverse transfer function of the chordal system.

It is shown that the current criterion (the number of second-degree deviations over three spring months) is reactive in nature and does not consider the spatial structure of irregularities. Statistical analysis of 3,205 km of the Trans-Siberian Railway confirmed that only 25.6% of deviations are recorded in spring.

The proposed indicators made it possible to reliably differentiate between model scenarios: for the scenario with a predominance of short waves (ballast defects), the energy of short waves accounted for 77% of the total, with a dominant wavelength of 2.78 m; for the scenario with long waves (systemic deformations of the subgrade), it was 20% and 125 m, respectively. With a conditionally equal number of deviations (25 per km), the traditional approach assigns both sections, while spectral analysis recommends additional diagnostics for the scenario with systemic deformations, which avoids inefficient costs. The results can be used in railway track diagnosis and repair planning systems, especially in the context of reduced investment programs by Russian Railways.

The results obtained justify the need to include spectral analysis of vertical irregularities in the system of additional criteria when planning repairs. Further research is aimed at identifying critical short-wave energy growth rates for proactive repair scheduling.

1. Analytical material of the sector for the organization of traffic safety of the West Siberian Directorate of Infrastructure dated January 30, 2026. Novosibirsk; 2026. 15 p. (In Russ.).

2. Lanis A. L., Usov D. A., Tarkhov V. A. On the issue of justifying the extension of the service life of rails in the metro. The Siberian Transport University Bulletin. 2025;(75):78–87. (In Russ.). DOI 10.52170/1815-9265_2025_75_78.

3. Gapanovich V. A. [et al.]. On the need to update the standards for assessing rail track geometry. Bulletin of the Institute of Natural Monopolies Problems: Railway Equipment. 2019;(4):22–27. (In Russ.).

4. Influence of rail track geometry on running characteristics – results of research within the EC DYNOTRAIN project. Proceedings of the SFT Conference, Graz, 2013. Graz; 2013. 8 p. (In Russ.).

5. Pevzner V. O., Shapetko K. V. Influence of the parameters of actual irregularities on the railway track structure. Introduction of Modern Structures and Advanced Technologies in the Track Facilities. 2015;8(8):188–192. (In Russ.).

6. Pevzner V. O., Belotsvetova O. Yu., Shapetko K. V. Improvement of normative documents for assessing track condition during high-speed traffic. Introduction of Modern Structures and Advanced Technologies in the Track Facilities. 2014;7(7):14–22. (In Russ.).

7. Malinsky S. V., Sharova V. O. Promising methods for analyzing periodic track irregularities in problems of assessing traffic safety. Railway Track and Facilities. 2024;(4):9–11. (In Russ.).

8. On approval of the rules for scheduling railway track repairs: Order of JSC "Russian Railways" dated December 17, 2021 No. 2888/r (as amended on February 3, 2023). Available from the legal reference system "ASPIZhT" on the local network. (In Russ.).

9. On approval and enactment of the instructions for the current maintenance of railway track: Order of JSC "Russian Railways" dated November 16, 2016 No. 2288r (as amended on November 2, 2022). Available from the legal reference system "ASPIZhT" on the local network. (In Russ.).

10. Pevzner V. O. Deformability and stability of the track. Track and Track Facilities. 2005;(2):23–26. (In Russ.).

11. The financial plan and investment program of JSC "Russian Railways" for 2024 were approved. JSC "Russian Railways": [site]. 2024. (In Russ.). URL: https://company.rzd.ru/ru/9351/page/2452802?id=289837.

12. EN 13848-1:2019. Railway applications – Track – Track geometry quality – Part 1: Characterization of track geometry. Brussels: CEN; 2019. 32 p.

13. The Board of Directors of JSC "Russian Railways" approved the company's investment program for 2025. JSC "Russian Railways": [site]. 2025. (In Russ.).URL: https://company.rzd.ru/ru/9351/page/2452802?id=310504.

14. The Board of Directors of JSC "Russian Railways" approved the investment program and financial plan for 2026. JSC "Russian Railways": [site]. 2025. (In Russ.). URL: https://company.rzd.ru/ru/9351/page/2452802?id=320609.

15. Pevzner V., Shapetko K., Slastenin A. Needed additions to the diagnostic system of high-speed lines. Energy Management of Municipal Transportation Facilities and Transport. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2019. P. 496–505.

16. Mauer L. Determination of track irregularities and stiffness parameters with inverse transfer functions of track recording vehicles. Interaction of Railway Vehicles with the Track and its Substructure. London: Routledge; 2018. P. 117–132.