Technological Innovation in Railway Structure System with Ladder Sleeper
Hajime WAKUI
The Ladder Sleeper is comprised of longitudinal concrete beams which support
and hold rails continuously. It has a "ladder" shape, in which both parallel
longitudinal beams are connected to each other with steel pipe connectors.
On account of its structural concept, it can be called a stiff new "combined
rail". Ladder Track which is a rigid frame structure composed of combined rails
and steel pipe connectors, has a superior load carrying capacity and a high
lateral track stability compared to the conventional crosstie tracks. The safety,
maintenance, and environmental improvements that will come with switching to
Ladder Sleepers, promise major progress in railway efficiency and railway management.