Trial Shows Innovative System Protects Tracks and Cuts Costs

Trial demonstrates how recycled tyre technology protects railway tracks and reduces costs by improving stability and cutting maintenance requirements, while also addressing Australia’s growing tyre waste problem. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney Trains, and industry partners tested the system for two years on a live freight line. They installed sections with a rubber underlay made from recycled tyres alongside conventional tracks to compare performance.

The results of the trial revealed significantly less track degradation and greater stability where rubber underlays were used. This innovative system distributes load evenly, prevents ballast breakdown, and extends track life while reducing settlement in soft soils.

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Trial Delivers Cost Savings for Rail Industry

Professor Buddhima Indraratna, inventor of the technique and Director of the UTS Transport Research Centre, said the solution lowers maintenance costs and minimizes disruptions. It also eliminates the need for frequent track closures, improving network reliability and operational efficiency.

Dr. Richard Kelly from SMEC Australia added that widespread adoption could save millions annually by reducing demand for expensive, newly quarried rock used in ballast. This approach is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly, supporting industry sustainability goals.

Trial Supports Circular Economy and Sustainability

The technology also addresses Australia’s tyre waste crisis, with more than 50 million tyres discarded each year. By turning waste into valuable infrastructure material, the system strengthens the circular economy and reduces environmental impact significantly.

The research team secured a $740,000 grant to expand testing in challenging areas like bridge approaches and junctions, where stiffness changes accelerate damage. Future trials aim to confirm performance under extreme conditions, setting new standards for rail durability and sustainability.

Source: www.railexpress.com.au

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