Track Technology Division

Profile

Our division consists of four laboratories: “Track Structures & Components”, “Track Structures & Geotechnology”, “Track Geometry & Maintenance”, and “Rail Maintenance & Welding”. In order to respond to the needs of railway companies, we are conducting R&D of enhancing properties of the track to ensure safe train operation, speeding up, improving maintenance efficiency and lowering cost, and reducing noise and vibration. Also, to respond to the globalization of the railway technology, we are engaged in various activities relating to international technical standards of the track.

Introduction

The track is one of the most fundamental components of the railway system, and is simply composed of rails, sleepers, ballasts (gravel) and etc.; therefore, even a slight change of the state of each part has a great influence on ride comfort, railway environments and as well as safety. However, the conditions influencing the track maintenance, such as speeding up of vehicles, increasing train density and decreasing maintenance personnel, are becoming strict day by day, so it is not easy to maintain the track sufficiently without technological innovation.
The track technology division advances R&D with fundamental policies as follows:
"Basic research aiming at further improvement of performance of the track."
"Practical technology development contributing to sustainability."
Especially, we concentrate on development of the practical technologies that contribute to sustainability, in order to reduce the maintenance cost of regional railways.

Yoshitsugu Momoya - Director, Track Technology Division

Laboratories and their field

Track Structures & Components

Track Structures & Components Laboratory is in charge of R&D for design and maintenance of track materials such as rail fastener, derailment prevention guard, turnout, expansion joint and long welded rail.

Track Structures & Geotechnology

Track Structures & Geotechnology Laboratory is in charge of R&D for design and maintenance of track structures such as slab track, ballastless track for existing line, ballasted track and roadbed, and moreover reuse of industrial byproduct.

Track Geometry & Maintenance

Track Geometry & Maintenance Laboratory is in charge of R&D for track management technology that contributes to the safe and stable operation of trains such as various system tools that support track maintenance, track inspection devices and effective utilization of inspection data.

Rail Maintenance & Welding

Rail Maintenance & Welding Laboratory is in charge of R&D for general rail maintenance and management, such as rail welding, repairing of rail, estimation for rail fatigue life, and detection of rail flaw and rail breaking.