Describes a project focusing on the experiences of implementing a third‐party certified quality system in small (maximum 50 employees) Swedish organisation. The project consisted of a questionnaire to CEOs, and then a more comprehensive case study of selected organisations. Results show that the more the CEO and employees have been involved in the implementation process, the more the system is used, that the CEO is more satisfied with the results; and quality improvements have continued after certification. Furthermore, the higher the level of education within the company, the less help has been required from external consultants. Indicates that important factors for a successful implementation are the attitude of the organisation when the implementation starts, that fairly detailed plans for the implementation are performed and that the documentation is adapted to the business and not necessarily to the ISO standard.

No abstract

A new innovative method for track deflection and track stiffness measurement is described and used on the iron-ore line in Sweden. The method uses two different measurement systems of longitudinal level on one axle, and by comparing them in a new way it is possible to extract the unloaded level and the effect of the loading from the loaded longitudinal level. Displacement due to loading can also be interpreted as a track stiffness value if the wheel load is simulated or measured. With this method, a new approach to condition monitoring of track is created due to the possibility of monitoring stiffness and longitudinal level at the same time using a track recording car. The method has been used in an extensive measurement campaign on the iron-ore line in the north of Sweden. Many examples are given in this paper to illustrate different track defects on ordinary track, mainly on track section (bandel) 118. Hanging sleepers and mudpumping places have been successfully located using the new method. The method has been used in both winter and summer conditions. We have found that the track stiffness/deflection level does not vary considerably with change of season. This result is explained by the design decision in the 1980s to use soft fastener pads, which seems to have been a very good decision.

No abstract

This article investigates the effect of vertical track stiffness, and its variations along the track, on track performance with focus on dynamic responses of the track due to parametric excitations. Two approaches for calculating global track stiffness, a static one based on Zimmermann's theory and a dynamic one based on the track model used in the dynamic vehicle-track interaction program Dynamisk Interaktion mellan Fordon och Farbana (DIFF), are discussed. A rolling stiffness measurement vehicle has been developed at Banverket, and measurements have been carried out over hundreds of kilometres of track. This article presents a statistical analysis of the collected results and provides information of track stiffness and its variation on typical Swedish tracks.