Wood Tie Reuse: A Survey Report

摘要

This report presents a survey of wood tie reuse associated with track renewal in North America and Europe. Topics covered include the causes of tie deterioration, the technology of tie repair, and a survey of wood tie reuse practices in France, Italy, West Germany, Great Britain, the U.S.S.R., and the United States. Also included is a discussion of the economics of wood tie reuse, consisting principally of reviews of the wood tie reuse aspects of two recent U.S. studies. One study focused on the potential of track renewal as an alternative to selective maintenance and the other study examined the technical and economic feasibility of using repaired ties in lieu of new ties when replacing defective ties. Although these studies are neither wholly comparable nor comprehensive, they do provide perspective on the potential costs and benefits of wood tie reuse. All in all, based on these studies and other information, it appears that the economics of tie reuse is promising and that used ties have a potential role to play in track maintenance in North America. The report concludes with a brief examination of several major issues of wood tie reuse economics that require further study.