Since 2005, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have jointly funded a heavy-axle-load (HAL) revenue service testing program, with several objectives. One objective is to determine the effects of HAL traffic on track infrastructure by supplementing test activities performed at the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) with a wider range of track, operation and climatic conditions. A second objective is to identify potential issues that negatively affect HAL operations and to find solutions to address the issues. A third objective is to test and monitor new and alternative track designs and materials, as well as improve track maintenance procedures intended to mitigate adverse effects of HAL traffic on track degradation.
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