scope:

The purpose of track inspections

The inspection that are the subject of this handbook cover a broad rang of track surveillance, involving various means of observation and measurement - from routine patrolling by line staff to train- based inspections and other assessments. Whatever their form and frequency. They are all part of planned maintenance activity and they share a common purpose: to ensure the safety, quality and efficiency of the track asset and improve its performance.

Inspections achieve this purpose through systematic procedures which enable managers to:

↕ Monitor the state of the track

↕ Assess compliance with the requirements of track standards

↕ Identify conditions that are or may become substandard

↕ record and report these conditions so that the necessary preventative and corrective maintenance action can be taken.

Track inspections are undertaken also within the framework of the Safety Management System, as part of the corporate requirements for the technical inspection of infrastructure defined in Safety Directives 202 (Preventive maintenance) and 301 to 313, which cover inspection, reporting and monitoring.

Asset inspections made by company-appointed auditors in conjunction with stewards are outside the scope of maintenance activities and are not covered in this handbook.