The ballast and Slab track pros and cons are as follows, slab track has

significant advantages on non-ballasted track from cost, maintenance and

operability.

No DESCRIPTION BALLASTED TRACK BALLASTLESS TRACK

.
1. Maintenance Frequent maintenance & Less maintenance for
Input. non-uniform degradation geometry.
2. Cost Relatively lowRelatively high
comparison construction costs but construction cost but
higher life cycle cost. lower life cycle cost.
3. Elasticity. High elasticity due to Elasticity is achieved
ballast. through use of rubber
pads and other artificial
materials.
4. Riding Good riding comfort at Excellent riding comfort
Comfort. speeds up to 250 – 280 even at speeds greater
kmph. than 250 kmph.

5. Life Poor Life expectation. Good Life expectation.(50-

expectation (15-20 yrs) 60 yrs)
6. Stability. Over time, the track No such problem.
tends to “float”, in both
longitudinal and lateral
directions, as a result of
Non-linear, irreversible
behaviour of the
materials.
7. Lateral Limited noN High lateral resistance to
resistance compensated the track which allows
Lateral acceleration in future increase in speeds
curves, in combination with tilting
due to the limited lateral coach technology.
resistance offered by the
ballast.
8. Noise. Relatively High noiseRelatively low noise and
vibration nuisance.
9. Churning up Ballast can be churned No such damage to rails
of up at high speeds, and wheels.
Ballast. causing serious damage
 to rails and wheels.
10. Construction Ballast is relatively Less cost of construction
cost of heavy, leading to an of bridges and viaducts
Bridges/ increase in the costs of due to lower dead weight
Tunnels/ building bridges and of the ballast-less track.
etc. viaducts if they are to
carry a continuous
ballasted track.
11. Construction Depth of Ballasted track Reduced height.
Depth. is relatively high, and this
has direct consequences
for tunnel diameters and
for access points.
12. Availability of Limited No problem of material.
Material.
13. Permeability. Reduced permeability High impermeability
due to contamination,
grinding-down of the
ballast and transfer of
fine particles from the
sub grade.
14. Dust Release of dust from the Less environment
pollution. ballast into the pollution.
environment thus
causing environmental
pollution.
15. Maintenance More possession time for Less possession time but
possession routine maintenance major repair will take
substantial time