21st Century concrete slabtrack options bring:

• Reduced maintenance
  
• Higher running speeds
  
• Less worker exposure to risk
  
• Increased space in tunnels
  
• Safer, more reliable journeys
  
• Less dead weight over viaducts and bridges
  
• Systems use both precast and in-situ elements
  
• Better sustainability compared to track ballasted system

Light rail and guided bus routes provide:

• Faster routes into city centres
  
• Reduced traffic congestion
  
• Less emissions
  
• Encouragement for greater use of public transport

Task Group Meeting Date
No details at this time.

Publications
The Group has produced a number of publications which are free to members.
Click here to visit our online shop if you are interested in any of our publications.

	Slab track – Safety This report identifies that, although it is generally accepted in the rail industry that slab track provides benefi ts in terms of safety when compared with traditional ballasted track, there was surprisingly little published information. Some important research papers are reviewed and the way forward in promoting the safety case for slab track is proposed. • Ref. BP/04 • 2003 • 14 pages • Price £10 • Free to Britpave Members
	Slab track – The commercial case A review of papers worldwide found that it is generally accepted that slab track offers a cost-effective alternative to ballasted track if the two systems are compared in terms of life-cycle costs. The study went on to provide a methodology for estimating the commercial case and the wider economic, social and environmental benefi ts of adopting slab track technology. • Ref. BP/05 • 2003 • 25 pages • Price £10 • Free to Britpave Members
	Slab track developments – Guidance on relevant standards The report found that existing European and infrastructure owner standards provided suffi cient general guidance on concrete slab track but that these had been prepared within the context of ballasted track and did not address the characteristics of slab track. Aspects specifi c to slab track, such as design, transition zones, testing and commissioning and decommissioning, are not covered in available standards. • Ref. BP/09 • 2004 • 21 pages • Price £10 • Free to Britpave Members
	Slab track – Life-cycle energy study of railway track beds Describes an evaluation of the life-cycle energy use impacts of ballasted track bed and two generic concrete slab track beds: cast-in sleeper and embedded track systems. The analysis took into consideration the manufacturing, construction, maintenance, dismantling and recycling of track bed components. It showed that concrete slab track beds are not associated with higher life-cycle energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission when compared with ballasted track bed. • Ref. BP/33 • 2007 • 12 pages • Price £10 • Free to Britpave Members