Laser Cladding of Welds to Improve Railroad Track Safety

TRB’s Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) has released Rail Safety Project 22: Laser Cladding of Welds to Improve Railroad Track Safety that explores the use of a laser-based technology called laser cladding, which may reduce surface and near-surface defects resulting from thermite field welds of rail. Thermite field welds are often used to splice together continuous welded rail segments or to replace damaged sections of rail. The procedure has the potential to increase the life of thermite field welds and thereby reduce track maintenance costs and enhance rail safety.

The Rail Safety IDEA program is sponsored by the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration. The Rail Safety IDEA program provides funding for projects that promote innovative approaches to improving railroad safety or performance.