Mott MacDonald to Deliver Network Rail ETL Programme

Mott MacDonald have secured a contract with Network Rail to continue their role as research consultant on the Embankment Traffic Loading (ETL) research programme. This means the Mott MacDonald will lead on the overall technical direction of Stage 2 of the project.

The aim of the Embankment Traffic Loading applied research programme is to investigate the response of railway embankment clay fill to increased traffic loading and the implications for trackbed impact assessment.

The programme will also measure the response of embankment clay fill, and then subsequently develop analytical models for ant potential damage assessments due to changes in train axle load or vehicle frequency. The models that are developed will be used as tools in order to support the development of business cases for renewal works where embankment damage is predicted for increased railway traffic loads.

Graham Taylor, Project Manager, Mott MacDonald said: “The research project has the potential to bring significant cost savings to Network Rail by targeting more effective track maintenance. We’re delighted to continue our work with the client following a long history of providing applied research.”

Stage 2 of the ETL project is the latest stage in a long-running applied research project which Mott MacDonald have been delivering initially for the Rail Safety Standards Board, and now Network Rail. The ETL Project Stage 2 comprises the field validation of the analytical models which were developed during earlier stages of the programme.

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