RAILWAYS

PERMANENT WAY
&
Alignment
 Why Railways?
• Railways make better use of the space for transporting people and
freight
• Rail uses 60-80% less energy, results in 80% less CO2 and is 30%
cheaper
• It is much safer and causes less noise pollution.
• Rail transportation of Bulk Solids & Liquids as well as containerized
cargo will be cheaper than road provided the journey is over 500 KM.
Railway Alignment Design is a very complex process.
Engineers have to face wide variety of factors and
number of alternatives.
They should select an economical path based on:
1. Topography
2. soil conditions
3. environmental impact such as noise and air
pollution, socio-economic factors
4. expected level of service in terms of freight and
passenger transportation.
Factors to be considered in the selection of railway alignment:

1. Dedicated traffic (Passenger and Freight or Mixed traffic)

2. Maximum Operating Speed for Passenger & Freight trains
3. Length of passenger & freight trains
4. Gauge Selection (NG/SG/BG)
5. Minimum radius of horizontal curves
6. Ruling gradient
7. Axle Load and Maximum trailing load for freight trains
8. Type of Rolling Stock
9. Type of Traction (Diesel/Electric)
10. Type of Signaling
Factors to be considered in the selection of railway alignment (Contd….)
11. Type of Freight transportation (Container, Cement, Bulk
Materials, Oil, Fertilizer etc.)
12. Freight terminal requirements
13. Passenger and Freight forecast over the next 30 years
14. Number of Passenger trains/ Freight trains
15. Single track/double track/multiple track
16. Requirement for Major Stations, Minor Stations and Halts
17. Type of track structure.
18. Maintenance Philosophy
19. Requirement for Workshops/ Maintenance Depots and sidings
20. Private and assisted sidings/ Ports/ Dry Ports ICT
Factors to be considered in the selection of railway alignment (Contd….)
21. Tunnels/ Viaducts/Bridges/ Culverts
22. Earthwork/ Cut and fill, Rock Cuts
23. Flood Plain and 100 Years flood levels
24. Requirement for ground improvements
25. Station and Yard locations
26. Right of Way and Land Acquisition
27. Impact on environment
28. Standards adopted for railway construction
29. Availability of materials (Local/Imported)
Survey
• Survey for route Selection
• Aerial Survey
• Topo Survey
• Hundred Years flood level and water way calculations for
bridges and culverts
• Soil Investigation and Geological Survey
• Detailed survey and establishing Survey Coordinates
• Detailed design and establishing construction coordinates
• Survey and Transfer of Coordinates to the ground and peg
marking alignment.
• As-Built Survey