MAINLINE Project Results - A Summary : MAINtenance, renewal and improvement of rail transport INfrastructure to reduce Economic and environmental impacts

Abstract

Growth in demand for rail transportation across Europe is predicted to continue.Much of this growth will have to be accommodated on existing lines that contain old infrastructure. This demand will increase both the rate of deterioration of these elderly assets and the need for shorter line closures for maintenance or renewal interventions. However, interventions on elderly infrastructure will also need to take account of the need for lower economic and environmental impacts. This means that new interventions will need to be introduced. In addition tools will need to be developed to inform decision makers about the economic and environmental consequences of different intervention options being considered.