A review of rail corrugation processes under different operating modes

After an extensive literature review was conducted as part of a study of rail corrugations on the Baltimore, Maryland, Metro track, basic differences in long-wavelength (heavy-haul railroad) and short-wavelength (transmit and higher-speed passenger railroad) corrugations were established. Consideration of these differences, along with analysis of the experimental data from both wayside and on-board transducers, allowed a focused theoretical analysis of the corrugation problem. The overall corrugation problem is discussed, based on the results of the literature review, and the results of the analysis are given. Some general conclusions and methods for controlling corrugations are presented. >