Mott MacDonald has secured a contract with Network Rail to continue its role as research consultant on the Embankment Traffic Loading research programme, leading on the overall technical direction of Stage 2 of the project.
The aims of the Embankment Traffic Loading applied research programme are to investigate the response of railway embankment clay fill to increased traffic loading and the implications for trackbed impact assessment.
The programme will measure the response of embankment clay fill and subsequently develop analytical models for potential damage assessment due to changes in train axle load or vehicle frequency.
The models developed will be used as tools to support the development of business cases for renewal works where embankment damage is predicted for increased railway traffic load.
Stage 2 of the Embankment Traffic Loading Project is the latest stage of a long-running applied research project that Mott MacDonald has been delivering for initially the Rail Safety Standards Board and now Network Rail. The Embankment Traffic Loading Project Stage 2 comprises the field validation of the analytical models developed during earlier stages of the programme.
Graham Taylor, Project Manager, Mott MacDonald said: “The research project has the potential to bring significant cost savings to Network Rail by targeting more effective track maintenance. We’re delighted to continue our work with the client following a long history of providing applied research.”