Experimental results of reducing harmful vibrodynamic effects caused by the interaction between rolling stock and track through the use of elastic under-sleeper pads in the rail joint zone

In the current era of independent development and market relations, the importance of railways continues to grow steadily. This, in turn, places great responsibility on the system of measures aimed at ensuring railway reliability. However, despite the advantages and advancements of the railway industry, it still faces technical complexities that can lead to track deterioration. In heavily loaded and high-speed railway sections, the interaction between the rolling stock and the track causes various issues in the rail joint zones – such as the development of defects and irregularities, deterioration of track geometry, reduction of track stability, as well as problems related to noise and vibration that must be mitigated. To address these challenges, scientific studies and experimental investigations have been conducted on the installation of elastic under-sleeper pads in the rail joint zones. These studies aim to modify the vertical stiffness transferred from the wheelsets of the rolling stock to the track structure, reduce harmful vibrations and oscillations, and thereby ensure uniform stability along the entire track. The conducted research, testing, and their results are presented in this article.