Presto announces ballast research performance results

Presto Geosystems, manufacturer of the HDPE GEOWEB base stabilization system, released results from track research performed to quantify the reinforcement benefit of GEOWEB-confined ballast as compared to unconfined ballast. The research initiative was a cooperative effort between Oregon State University (OSU) and the University of Kansas (KU) under the direction of Ben Leshchinsky, PE, PhD, and Jie Han, PE, PhD.

The results substantiate the effectiveness of GEOWEB-confined ballast for reducing ballast movement and settlement, decreasing subgrade pressures and increasing stability and rail performance — all of which translates to a substantial reduction of maintenance and increased ballast life, even over weak subgrades. A 2.5 year under track research program, previously conducted at the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) at the Transportation Technology Center (TTCI) in Pueblo, Colorado, revealed similar results.

“The results are not at all surprising”, notes Presto Geosystems’ Director, Bill Handlos, PE. “We’ve been working with the railroads for over 30 years to stabilize their track ballast and shore up embankments. This research will help more railroads realize the benefits of GEOWEB-confined ballast and reduce capital and maintenance expenses each year for the upkeep of high quality ballast layers.”

“Enduring well-designed ballast is the foundation on which successful rail lines operate. With ballooning rail traffic carrying heavier loads than ever, the HDPE GEOWEB 3D system effectively takes the pressure off critical ballast systems.”

More information about GEOWEB Rail Ballast Research is available at https://www.prestogeo.com/applications/railroad/aar-ttci-performance-tested.