The Railway Technology Research Institute has adopted four items as the goal of the research and development until fiscal 2004. It aims at the realization of a "railway of high reliability," "railway of low cost," "attractive railway" and "railway harmonized with the environment." This paper introduces the research and development activities of track technology corresponding to these four items. They include prevention of flange-climb derailment and rail defect, track inspection technology and track maintenance planning system, speed-up and improvement of riding quality, cutting down CO₂ discharge and recycle of materials.

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