Maintenance Management of U.S. Army Railroad Networks - the RAILER system: Detailed Track Inspection Manual

The Engineered Management System for railroad track RAILER is one of several such systems developed as decision-support tools for Army facility managers. RAILER is designed to help managers allocate scarce maintenance and repair funds in the best possible way while ensuring that Army trackage is maintained in a condition sufficient to sustain routine and mobilization operations at the lowest possible cost. RAILER is a comprehensive system that combines sound railroad engineering and management practices within a microcomputer environment for speedy analysis. A component of the RAILER system is a complete, detailed inspection of tracks to identify and quantify defects in need of repair. Guidance is needed to ensure consistency and facilitate computer use in collecting and recording the appropriate data. This report provides guidance on detailed inspection and recording procedures that can be used as part of a safety, network level, andor project level management program. In addition, data collection forms have been developed and are provided to expedite and organize the inspection. Field-testing has validated the procedures. The procedures are most useful and applicable to the project level phase of the track management cycle.