Train or metro operating safety may be ensured only if the actual track geometry is known. This requirement includes also knowledge of the horizontal and vertical rail head wear. Analysis of this data is the source of cost effective and rational maintenance decisions. Moreover, the earlier the necessary repair is done, the less expensive it will be, as one may . Therefore, expenditures on measurement equipment are the most effective investment – saving costs of possible accidents and costly repairs if they are made late. This is even more evident in case of track network revitalization, as one has to decide where and what should be repaired first. Any measurement method or tool without the objective data logging feature, makes it virtually impossible to collect all data that would be necessary for the detailed diagnostic reasoning on a line or railway network level, being useful only for direct measurement of some track parameter in a particular point. The principle of track geometry measuring trolley is described that can record all aspects of track alignment and riding quality on plots and tabular reports, so that maintenance service can locate efficiently the specific locations needing maintenance. The measurement results obtained with the trolley – also of the rail head wear – are described along with several track condition assessment methods.

track geometry measurement, rail head wear measurement, turnout geometry measurement, track condition assessment, track condition reporting