Fractal analysis of track geometry data

ABSTRACT A Federal Railroad Administration sponsored research project has been ongoing to explore the use of Fractal Analysis of track geometry data for indication of track geometry roughness, maintenance planning and track substructure condition assessment. Fractal analysis provides unique numerical values (fractal dimensions) that characterize railway track geometry patterns. The fractal dimensions can be used for effective maintenance planning by providing meaningful parameters for geometry deterioration modeling, and by potentially providing information about the actual condition of the track by precise quantification of the geometry patterns. The paper will present a lucid discussion of fractal theory and will demonstrate its usefulness for quantifying railroad geometry data by highlighting key aspects of the research results. This paper also discusses the relationship between track structure conditions and fractal dimensions for use in maintenance planning and condition evaluation