Rail Transit Track Inspection Practices (2013)

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41 APPENDIX E APTA/FRA Track Safety Standards and Some Maintenance Standards The following charts are based on reported maintenance stan- dards. Each transit agency has its own maintenance standards and many use either APTA or the FRA for their safety standards. Maintenance standards and safety standards are not the same. The first column is the item number used as a reference number only. The second column is a brief description of the criteria used for maintenance. (See Appendix F for further explanation.) The third column is the class of track. Each track class has an assigned maximum speed that trains may travel before the risk of a derailment is too great. The fourth column is the speeds assigned to the classes of track. Both APTA and FRA agree with respect to maximum passenger speed. The remainder of the col- umns represents minimum and maximum values of each indi- vidual transit authority. Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In 1 15 1½ 1½ 1 1 -½ 1 -⅛ 1¼ 1½ -½ 1 2 30 ⅞ 3 60 ⅝ -7/₁₆ 1 4 80 5 90 1 15 5 5 1 1 2 3 5 5 2¼ 2 30 3 3 ¾ ½ 1½ 2 3 3 60 1¾ 1¾ ¾ 1¼ 1½ 1¾ 4 80 1½ 1½ 1 1½ 5 90 ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ 1 15 1¼ 1 (2) 2¼ (4) 1½ 1½ 1¼ 2 30 ½ (1½) 1½ 3 60 1¼ 1¼ ¾ (1¼) 1 1¼ 4 80 1 1 (¾) 1 5 90 ½ ½ ¼ (½) ½ 1 15 Head Head 6½ Head Head 2 30 Web Web 5 Web Web 3 60 1¼ 4 80 0 5 90 0 1 15 3½ 3½ 1½ 3½ 1½ 3 3 3½" 2½ 2 30 3 3 1 1 3 3 60 2 2 1 2 4 80 1½ 1½ ¾ 1½ 5 90 1 1 ½ 1 1 15 3 3 1½ 2 3 2¾ 2¾ 3 2½ 2 30 2¾ 2¾ 1 1½ 2¾ 2¾ 3 60 2¼ 2¼ 1 2¼ 2¼ 4 80 2 2 ¾ 2 5 90 1¼ 1¼ ⅝ 1¼ 1 15 1 ¾ 2 1 1¾ 2 30 ¾ 1¼ ¾ 3 60 ½ ⅞ ½ 4 80 ⅜ 5 90 ¼ No Criteria No Criteria No Criteria9/₁₆ 1¼ ¼ ½ ⅜ 2 ¾ 2 1¾ 1⅝ 7 Surface Deviation 31' Chord No Criteria No Criteria No Criteria 6 Surface Deviation 62' Chord No Criteria No Criteria 2¼ 2¼ 2 1½ ½ 1 1½ 1¼ 5 Runoff in 31' No Criteria 1½2 2½ No Criteria No Criteria Base Base Base Base 4 High Water ( ) = Height above base of Rail No Criteria No Criteria No Criteria No Criteria (2½) ¾ ¾ N/A 1¼ ¼ 0 ¾ (1¼) ⅝ 1 3 Variation in alignment - 31', ( ) = 62' chord - Curve 3 N/A ⅝ N/A N/A ½ 2 Variation in alignment - 62' chord - Tangent No Criteria No Criteria 3 1½ ½ 0 1¼ 1½ -¼ ½ 1 -¼ ½ ½ 1 1 ¼ -⅜ ¾ -⅛ 1 1¼ -⅜ ¾-⅜ -½ 1¼ -½1¼ 1¼ ⅝ -⅜ ¾ J 1 Variation from standard gage -½ -½ -⅛ ¾ -¼ ¾ -½ Agency Maintenance Criteria A B C D E F G I Ite m Description of Defect Class of Track Max passenger speed in mph APTA and FRA APTA FRA

42 Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In 1 15 3 3 1 3 1½ 2 3 2½ 2 3 1⅞ 2 30 2 2 ¾ ¾ 1¾ 2 2 3 60 1¾ 1¾ ½ 1¼ 1¾ 1¾ 4 80 1¼ 1¼ 1 1¼ 5 90 1 1 ¾ 1 1 15 2 1¼ 2 (1¾) 1½ (1½) 2 30 1¾ ⅞ 1¾ 3 60 1½ ½ 1½ 4 80 1 5 90 ¾ 1 15 3 3 1¼ 2 3 2½ 2 3 2⅛ 2 30 2¼ 2¼ 1 1¾ 2¼ 2¼ 3 60 2 2 1¼ 2 2 4 80 1¾ 1¾ 1 1¾ 5 90 1½ 1½ ¾ 1½ 1 15 2 2 2 2 2 2 30 1¾ 1¾ 1¾ 1¾ 1¾ 3 60 1½ 1¼ 1½ 1½ 1¼ 4 80 1¼ 1 1¼ 1 5 90 1 ¾ 1 ¾ 1 15 6 5 6 (16) [4] 14 5 6 5 5 2 30 (18) 3 60 (20) 4 80 5 90 1 15 6 6 (16) 13 6 6 6 2 30 9 (18) 10 9 3 60 10 (20) 9 10 4 80 5 90 1 15 3 5 4 4 2 30 4 3 60 4 3 4 4 4 80 5 90 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 10 14 Maximum defective ties or fasteners in a row for > 2000'R, ( ) = distance in inches 5 No Criteria 3 4 5 5 No Criteria 9 9 9 16 14 21 (22) 5 11 14 12 12 8 13 Non-Defective Ties in 39', ( ) = 62'for greater than 2° curves No Criteria 14 No Criteria No Criteria 8 8 16 12 12 15 (22) [7] 7 9 8 [6] 11 8 8 No Criteria No Criteria No Criteria 1¼ 12 Non-Defective Ties or fasteners in 39', ( ) = 62', [ ] = out of 10, { } = 100' 14 8 8 1¾ ⅝ 1¾ 1¼ 1⅝ 11 Warp/Twist in 31' No Criteria No Criteria No Criteria 10 Warp/Twist in 62' No Criteria No Criteria 1¾ 1¾ No Criteria(1½) 1¼ (1⅛) ¼ 1 (1) (⅞) ¼ 1¼ 1¼ 1⅛ 9 Deviation from theoretical cross-level in 62', ( ) = 31' chord in spirals No Criteria No Criteria No Criteria No Criteria I J 8 Deviation from 0 cross-level in 62' 1¾ 1¾ 1¾ 1¼ ½ 1 C D E F G Ite m Description of Defect Class of Track Max passenger speed in mph APTA and FRA APTA FRA Agency Maintenance Criteria A B

43 Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In 1 15 2 4 2 30 3 3 60 3 3 3 3 4 80 5 90 1 15 2 4 3 3 2 30 3 2 3 60 2 3 2 2 2 4 80 5 90 1 15 2 30 3 60 4 80 5 90 1 15 2 30 3 60 4 80 5 90 1 15 2 30 3 60 4 80 5 90 2 1 1 2 2 1 within 18" 2 2 2 2 No Criteria No Criteria 1 1 1 22 Number of ties within 24" of the center of a joint 1 1 1 within 12" 1 within 24" N/A Replace Rail Replace Rail Replace Rail Replace Rail Replace Rail Replace Rail Replace Rail Not Permitted N/A N/A N/A N/A Install Install 21 Torch cut holes or torch cut rail N/A N/A No Criteria Not Permitted Not Permitted Install Install Install Install Install Install20 In CWR at least 2 bolts per rail Install Install Install Install Install Install Install Install Replace 19 Less than 2 bolts per rail, Classes 2-5 and 1 bolt per rail for Class 1 Install Install Install Install Install Install No Criteria Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace 18 Center cracked joint bars Replace Replace Replace Immediate Replace Immediate Replace Immediate N/A N/A N/A N/A Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace 1 17 Quarter Cracked joint bars with bolts loose N/A N/A Replace in 30 days Replace Replace No Criteria N/A 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 3 3 No Criteria 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 16 Maximum defective ties or fasteners in a row for R < 1000'. ( ) = distance in inches 3 No Criteria 3 4 No Criteria No Criteria 12 2 I J 15 Maximum defective ties or fasteners in a row for Radius between 1000' and 2000'. ( ) = distance in inches 4 No Criteria 3 3 4 No Criteria C D E F G Ite m Description of Defect Class of Track Max passenger speed in mph APTA and FRA APTA FRA Agency Maintenance Criteria A B

44 Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In 1 15 2 30 3 60 4 80 5 90 1 15 ¼ ¼ ³/₁₆ ⅜ ⅜ 2 30 3 60 ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ 4 80 5 90 1 15 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 2 30 3 60 4 80 5 90 1 15 ½ ½ ³/₁₆ ½ ½ ⅜ ½ ½ ⅜ 2 30 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 3 60 ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ 4 80 ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ 5 90 ¹/₁₆ ¹/₁₆ ¹/₁₆ ¹/₁₆ ¹/₁₆ 1 15 1½ 3 (-⅜) (⅜) 2⅛ 2 30 3 60 4 80 5 90 1 15 +½ +½ 2 2 30 3 60 4 80 5 90 +¼ +¼ 1 15 2 30 3 60 4 80 5 90 1½ 1¼No Criteria No Criteria 1½ 1½ 1½ 1½ 1¾ 1⅝ 29 Frog Flangeways 1½ 1½ 1¾ 2 No Criteria No Criteria No Criteria No Criteria+⅜ +7/₁₆28 Double guard face gage with restraining rail on both running rails. No Criteria No Criteria ⅜ No Criteria 1⅞ (-⅛) (⅛) 1¾ 1½ No Criteria 1½ 1½(-¼) (¼)27 Restraining Rail Flangeway ( ) = from design 1½ 1½ No Criteria No Criteria 1¾ 2¾ ¼ ¼ ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ 26 Rail end batter No Criteria ¼ ⅛ ¼ ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ ¹/₁₆ ⅛ ⅛ 25 Gage Face Mis-Match ³/₁₆ No Criteria ⅛ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ¼ ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ ¹/₁₆ ⅛ ⅛ ⅛ ¼ ¼ ³/₁₆ ³/₁₆ ⅛ ¼ 24 Tread Mis-Match ¼ ¼ No Criteria ¼ OK No No No No No No No Not Permitted OK OK OK OK I J 23 Reconfigure joint bars with a torch. OK OK No Criteria Not Permitted Not Permitted B C D E F G Ite m Description of Defect Class of Track Max passenger speed in mph APTA and FRA APTA FRA Agency Maintenance Criteria A

45 Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In 1 15 1⅜ 1⅜ 1⅜ 1⅜ 1⅜ 1⅜ 2 30 3 60 4 80 5 90 1 15 ⅝ 2 30 ½ 3 60 ⅜ 4 80 5 90 1 15 -½ -½ -½ -⅞ -⅜ -½ -½ -½ 2 30 -⅜ -⅜ -⅜ -¼ -⅜ 3 60 -¼ 4 80 -¼ 5 90 -⅛ -⅛ -⅛ -⅛ 1 15 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 2 30 ⅜ 3 60 4 80 5 90 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 1 15 2 30 3 60 4 80 5 90 Once per Year Once per Year 3 times per year Every 2 years Twice per year Twice per year 4 times per year Once per Year 36 Frequency of Geometry Car Testing on Mainline Once per year No Criteria 3 times per Year No No No<2MGT,<30mph Pass. 24 months No No No No No No Weekly Twice Weekly Weekly Twice Weekly 35 Frequency of Gage Restraint (GRMS) Testing on Mainline >2MGT,>30mph Pass. No Criteria Annually Twice Weekly Monthly Monthly Twice Weekly Twice Weekly Twice per Month 34 Frequency of Hi-Rail or walking inspection on Mainline/Siding Track Excepted Weekly Monthly Weekly No Criteria⅜ ⅜ ⅜ ¼ ⅜ ⅜ ¼ ¼ 33 Guard Face Gage -⅛ ¼ ¼ ⅛ -⅜ -⅜ -¼ -¼ -⅛ -¼ -⅛ -⅛ -⅛ ⅜ ⅜ ¼ 32 Guard Check Gage -⅛ ⅜ -¼ -⅛-¼ No Criteria ⅜ ⅜ ⅜ ⅜ 1½ 1½ 1½ 1½ 1½ 31 Tread Wear on Frog ⅜ ⅜ No Criteria J 30 Minimum flangeway depth in a frog 1½ No Criteria 1½ 1½ No Criteria Flange Bearing1½ Agency Maintenance Criteria A B C D E F G I Ite m Description of Defect Class of Track Max passenger speed in mph APTA and FRA APTA FRA Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In Min In Max In 1 15 2 30 3 60 4 80 5 90 1 15 ⅞ 1 ⅝ 5/₁₆ ⅞ ⅝ 2 30 ⅝ ⅞ 3 60 ½ ⅝ 4 80 5 90 3rd Rail Inspection Max 3rd Rail Wear 3rd Rail Gage -½ ½ Max Speed in mph See Appendix F for definitions of criteria 9 Transit Agencies are shown which represents those agencies that willingly submitted their Maintenance Criteria. Min In = Minimum requirement in inches Max In = Maximum requirement in inches If description requirement states unit in hole number then applies APTA is the American Public Transportation Association, FRA is the Federal Railroad Administration Agency maintenance criteria is listed as Agency A, B, C etc to maintain aninimity Classes of track and related speeds may vary slightly among Transit Agencies. Speeds are shown as APTA and FRA limits. >60 5055 60 >60 >60 45 45 Yes No 40 No Criteria No Criteria 1/Year ⅝ ¾ >60 Yes No Yes Yes Yes No39 CWR Plan (Yes or No) Yes Yes Yes No Criteria ⅞ ½½ ¼ ¾ ½ 7/₁₆ ¹/₁₆ 7/₁₆ ½ ⅝ ½ No Criteria ⅜ ½ ½ ⅜ 38 Rail Wear Limits (Gage - Top) No Criteria No Criteria ⅝ ⅝ Twice per year Once per Year Once per Year Once per Year Once/40mgt Once/year, whichever shortest J 37 Frequency of Rail Flaw Detection Testing on Mainline Once per year Once/30mgt Once/year, whichever longest Twice per Year 6 times per year Once per Year Twice per year Twice per year Agency Maintenance Criteria A B C D E F G I Ite m Description of Defect Class of Track Max passenger speed in mph APTA and FRA APTA FRA