When a wheel passes over a rail surface irregularity, the resulting vehicle excitations lead to the application of additional system forces to both the track and the vehicle. These forces contribute to an accelerated track geometry deterioration, which in turn results in increased costs. In a recent paper, a clear correlation between the presence of rail irregularities and poor track geometry quality was demonstrated. Rail surface irregularities thereby were quantified by raw data of a chord-based optical measurement system mounted on the regular track recording vehicle in Austria. This paper deals with deconvolution of the recorded data in order to guarantee irregularity quantification without any distortion. Two different deconvolution approaches are developed and validated by additional measurements. Using the deconvoluted data, previously published evaluations were repeated, and the impact of using deconvoluted data instead of chord values was analysed. The correlation between short-wave effects and track geometry quality can not only be confirmed; it is even stronger than predicted by the chord data. The results of the analysis demonstrate that irregularities with amplitudes exceeding 0.08 mm contribute to an accelerated deterioration in track geometry. Amplitudes of a greater severity result in track geometry levels that are up to 120% inferior to the average.

This study investigates the influence of dipped welds on dynamic loading and railway track deterioration, with particular focus on settlement-related effects. Conducted within the Research Cluster Railway Systems (RCRS) collaboration project, it includes a statistical evaluation of over 2000 welds in Austria, identifying critical welds linked to track settlements. Three critical geometries with a depth of 0.3 mm, 0.6 mm and 0.9 mm were artificially created and analysed. Measurements and simulations compared rail and sleeper displacements, demonstrating accurate predictions of rail irregularities. The Railway Analysis Tool for Track Simulation proved accurate and efficient, guiding future dynamic ballast and rail weld fatigue tests. This tool will support the enhancement of track systems by defining maintenance limits and optimizing welding processes, ultimately improving track performance, reliability, and service life.