Freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) are known to have an effect on railway track stability, safety, and performance. FTC are expected to become more frequent in the future due to climate change. This paper presents the results of a field investigation in which the mechanism of FTC development within the track embankment and its effect on the performance of railway tracks including track surface deformation and track geometry degradation are studied. Field observations suggested that the frost depth within the track embankment is influenced by the freezing index and winter snow cover. They also showed that a warmer and drier winter leads to more intermittent FTC and even though the average frost heave is lower than for a colder winter, the frost heaves occurring at culvert locations creates a larger differential deformation and thus may lead to a worse operating condition. The comparison of geometry measurements before freezing and after thawing indicated that the track geometry is in poorer and rougher condition during springs that were preceded by increased FTC. It was also concluded that track in proximity to culverts suffered the highest geometry degradation. Overall, the limited field observations of this study suggest that future winters, mild with less precipitation and higher occurrence of FTC, may increase the rate of track deterioration and more maintenance will be required to keep track within safe limits.

众所周知，冻融循环 (FTC) 会影响铁路轨道的稳定性、安全性和性能。由于气候变化，预计未来 FTC 将变得更加频繁。本文介绍了实地调查的结果，其中研究了轨道路堤内 FTC 发展的机制及其对铁路轨道性能的影响，包括轨道表面变形和轨道几何退化。现场观测表明，轨道路堤内的霜冻深度受冻结指数和冬季积雪的影响。他们还表明，更暖和更干燥的冬天会导致更多的间歇性 FTC，即使平均冻胀度低于较冷的冬天，涵洞位置发生的冻胀会产生更大的变形变形，从而可能导致更差的运行条件。冻结前和解冻后几何测量的比较表明，在 FTC 增加之前的弹簧期间，轨道几何处于更差和更粗糙的状态。还得出结论，靠近涵洞的轨道遭受了最高的几何退化。总体而言，这项研究的有限实地观察表明，未来冬季温和，降水较少，FTC 发生率较高，可能会增加轨道恶化的速度，需要更多的维护才能将轨道保持在安全范围内。冻结前和解冻后几何测量的比较表明，在 FTC 增加之前的弹簧期间，轨道几何处于更差和更粗糙的状态。还得出结论，靠近涵洞的轨道遭受了最高的几何退化。总体而言，这项研究的有限实地观察表明，未来冬季温和，降水较少，FTC 发生率较高，可能会增加轨道恶化的速度，需要更多的维护才能将轨道保持在安全范围内。冻结前和解冻后几何测量的比较表明，在 FTC 增加之前的弹簧期间，轨道几何处于更差和更粗糙的状态。还得出结论，靠近涵洞的轨道遭受了最高的几何退化。总体而言，这项研究的有限实地观察表明，未来冬季温和，降水较少，FTC 发生率较高，可能会增加轨道恶化的速度，需要更多的维护才能将轨道保持在安全范围内。