• Enhancement of the performance of ballasted tracks, hence reduction of maintenance, by better understanding the geomechanical behaviour of elements of the embankment and subgrade as well as the dynamic behaviour of the complete embankment-ground-train system,  
• Assessment of performance of various track retrofitting methods for the selected segments of two railway lines which have been subjected to excessive deformation and settlement.

To achieve these objectives the following activities are undertaken

• Measurement of track and ground responses at several problematic sites with regards to settlement and maintenance

• Characterisation and modelling of the behaviour of soil and ballast using large-size specimens

• Laboratory testing of track using a large-scale track-box facility

• Advanced numerical modelling of non-linear dynamic behaviour of embankment and ground accounting for train-track interaction

  
   

• Assessment of traditional and innovative methods
  of retrofitting track, embankment and sub-grade