RTA Sponsored Research

RTA Research Papers and Articles

In addition to the research papers and articles that are available below,
the RTA offers Research and Development Briefings
on Preservatives, Pueblo Tie Tests, and Des Plaines Tests.

 

Wood Crosstie Economics

Determination of Effect of Dual Treatment on Average Tie Life & Wood Tie Life Cycle Costs (2011)

Assessment of Concrete Tie Life on US Freight Railroads (2010)

Wood vs. Steel Report (2009)

Forest Products Life Curve Update (2008)

Electrical Impedance Study (2007)

Comparative Crosstie Unit Value and Costs (2006)

Comparative Analysis of 6"x8" vs. 7"x9" Timber Crossties (2005) 

Development of a Tie Usage Index for Matching Wood Performance and Operating Conditions (2002)

Extending the Service Life of Wood Crossties (1987-2002)

Environmental Risks Associated with Pressure Treated Wood (2001)

Analysis of Wood Crosstie Price Sensitivities (1985-2000)

Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (2000)

An Examination and Interpretation of Tie Market Data (2000)

Evaluation of Treated Hardwoods in Field Stake Tests (1999)

Major Findings of Wood Tie and Fastener Performance (1988-1999)

Concrete vs. Wood Ties (1993)

Wood Tie Fastener Performance Specs (circa late 1980s-early 1990s)

Evaluation of Life Cycle Cost of Alternate Tie Fastener Systems (Circa 1990s)

FAST/Heavy Axle Load Study (1990)

Enhanced Tie Condition Inspection

 

Environmental

Wood Crosstie End-of-Life Recycling Survey (2019)

2018 Railroad Tie Survey by Stephen Smith (Published in the Journal of Transportation Technologies 2019)

Wood Crosstie End-of-Life Recycling Survey (2015)

Life Cycle Analysis of Creosote Treated Ties in the US Comparison Paper (2013)

Creosote-Treated Ties, End-of-Life Evaluation (2010)

An Evaluation of Used Wood Crossties  (2009)

Track/Traffic Density Study (2008)

Wood Crosstie End-of-Life Recycling Survey (2008)

The Environmental Risks Associated with the Use of Pressure Treated Wood in Railway Right-of-Way (2001)

Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Migration from Ties into Ballast and Adjacent Wetlands (2000)

 

Wood Crosstie Performance and Inspection

Increasing The Lateral Resistance of Wood Tie Track (2013)

Aurora Report Final (10-26-2009)

Derailment Index (2008)

Field Demonstration of the Use of Track Strength Data to Optimize Tie Replacement Requirements for High-Speed Operations (2006)

Extending the Service Life of Wooden Crossties (1987-2002)

Major Finding of Wood Tie and Fastener Performance Under Heavy Axle Loads at FAST Tie Replacement Study (1988-1999)

Wood Tie-Fastener Performance Specifications (circa the 1980s - 1990s)

Evaluation of Nail Plates as an Anti-Splitting Device for Timber Ties - 17-year study (1983) 

Canadian Forestry Service Splitting and Checking of Hardwood Rail Ties in Seasoning and Service (1971) 

TieInspect Tool (2008)

 

Wood Preserving

Ongoing Phase 1 Field Test Reports

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 12th Annual Inspection Report (2020)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 11th Annual Inspection Report (2019)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 10th Annual Inspection Report (2018)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 9th Annual Inspection Report (2017)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 8th Annual Inspection Report (2016)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 7th Annual Inspection Report (2015)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 6th Annual Inspection Report (2014)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 5th Annual Inspection Report (2013)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives- 4th Annual Inspection Report (2012) 

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives - 3rd Annual Inspection Report (2011)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives - 2nd Annual Inspection Report (2010)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives - 1st Annual Inspection Report (2009)

 

Ongoing Phase 2 Field Test Reports

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives Year 7 Phase 2 Inspection Report (2019)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives Year 6 Phase 2 Inspection Report (2018)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives Year 5 Phase 2 Inspection Report (2017)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives Year 4 Phase 2 Inspection Report (2016)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives Year 3 Phase 2 Inspection Report (2015)

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives Year 2 Phase 2 Inspection Report (2014) 

Field Tests to Determine the Comparative Durability of Crossties Treated with Alternative Preservatives Year 1 Phase 2 Inspection Report (2013)

 

Past Research Reports

Wood Preservation Chronology (2015)

Determination of Effect of Dual Treatment on Average Tie Life & Wood Tie Life Cycle Costs (2011)

RTA_AWPRP Presentation (2010)

Borate/Creo/CuNap Dual Treatment Results (2007)

Field Tests of Air Dried and Boultonized Crossties to Compare In-Service Performance (2002) 

To Borate or Not to Borate (2002) 

Copper Naphthenate for Crossties (2000)

Evaluation of Treated Hardwoods in Field Stake Tests: Seventh Annual Reading of Stakes (1999)

Creosote, Its Use as a Wood Preservative in the Railroad Transportation Industry (circa 1998)