To provide evidence of actual trackbed conditions to help plan condition-based maintenance
To allow for cost-effective trackbed defect root cause assessment
To map changes in trackbed condition over time to prioritise maintenance
To quality control maintenance work carried out to benchmark performance
To confirm as-built trackbed structures
To map trackside assets and drainage
Integrated trackbed inspection methods, collected synchronously, can improve customized maintenance decision outcomes as evidenced by the following examples:
Rationalising the ballast resource required to maintain track by defining the extent of centre-bound and shoulder fouled track using GPR-derived fouling metrics combined with MTLS-derived ballast volume measurements.
Carrying out effective spot maintenance removing the risk of return visits, by revealing the full extent of subgrade failure associated with active surface mud spots.
Designing remedial drainage by integrating GPR-derived ballast fouling and moisture likelihood with MTLS-derived surface drainage assessment, with confirmatory inspection trenches.
Identifying sleepers (ties) at greatest risk of degradation by combining GPR-derived fouling metrics with trackbed surface images of sleeper condition.
Identifying the cause of a derailment by combining GPR-derived ballast pocket features, ballast condition, trackbed surface images and track geometry.
