Friday, June 6, 2014
Overgrown weeds and trees can bring lot of inconvenience or be an eyesore. In the railroads industry such are an operational and safety issue requiring measure. The operators can lose visibility or reduce it therefore posing fire hazard or even coming in contact with the overhead catenary lines and in return causing passenger train to delay. Railroad weed control is a very important operation as the vegetation growing on the track bed causes difficulties in inspection of track.
It is not easy to get broken railroad with grown weeds allover, giving maintainers a hard task. Switch heaters which are automated equipment are prevented to work smoothly under such conditions. There have been programs initiated in order to control the dangers cropping up from such weeds. The programs help in killing sprouted weeds hence controlling the growth of both the trees and bush. To make this possible is a challenge and require spraying of herbicides and use of mechanical cutting method.
Initially, there have been endless efforts to curb this problem whereby several methods were used. Among them included the use of hot water. This was done by mounting a machine on a truck which poured scalding water to the tracks killing the vegetation. Flaming was another method employed to control the weeds. This involved a vehicle outfitted with the weed-burners like nozzles and they directed flames on the track searing vegetation.
The foundation of the railroad is the most important in this transport mode. At times can be ignored but plays a vital role in the time consumed and safety of the passengers. The rail control never get the attention it requires and never get to the limelight. The control of the weeds prevents accidents from happening or in other words minimizes them.
Track compliance and maintenance has been given priority by railroad companies whereby certain amount is set aside for such maintenance. Taking an example of Amtrak which is a program set aside for railroad maintenance was valued at $2.2 million annually. Clear line of sight is required in case the engineers are operating at 150 mph. Going at such speed would cause accident if interrupted.
Technological advancement has brought with it new and better methods of weed control in the railroads. During the pre-emergent period, contractors apply herbicides off and also on the track. This happens between the 3rd and the end of April. Start of June the post-emergent herbicide is sprayed which is intended to remove the pesky weeds and plants left or survived the pre-emergent.
Carrying out this particular activity has come with a dozen of advantages which include clearing of vegetation obscuring signs and signals that are used to warn the public. In addition their clearing has reduced the slippery conditions on crossings. There has been reduction of unnecessary fires. The bed integrity has been improved through the effective regular inspection.
The effected programs have helped to manage the vegetation and are very essential. On the other hand, the up to date methods and techniques have been of great help to the railroads. The programs employed have also been friendly in a way to the mother nature and positive feedback attained.
It is not easy to get broken railroad with grown weeds allover, giving maintainers a hard task. Switch heaters which are automated equipment are prevented to work smoothly under such conditions. There have been programs initiated in order to control the dangers cropping up from such weeds. The programs help in killing sprouted weeds hence controlling the growth of both the trees and bush. To make this possible is a challenge and require spraying of herbicides and use of mechanical cutting method.
Initially, there have been endless efforts to curb this problem whereby several methods were used. Among them included the use of hot water. This was done by mounting a machine on a truck which poured scalding water to the tracks killing the vegetation. Flaming was another method employed to control the weeds. This involved a vehicle outfitted with the weed-burners like nozzles and they directed flames on the track searing vegetation.
The foundation of the railroad is the most important in this transport mode. At times can be ignored but plays a vital role in the time consumed and safety of the passengers. The rail control never get the attention it requires and never get to the limelight. The control of the weeds prevents accidents from happening or in other words minimizes them.
Track compliance and maintenance has been given priority by railroad companies whereby certain amount is set aside for such maintenance. Taking an example of Amtrak which is a program set aside for railroad maintenance was valued at $2.2 million annually. Clear line of sight is required in case the engineers are operating at 150 mph. Going at such speed would cause accident if interrupted.
Technological advancement has brought with it new and better methods of weed control in the railroads. During the pre-emergent period, contractors apply herbicides off and also on the track. This happens between the 3rd and the end of April. Start of June the post-emergent herbicide is sprayed which is intended to remove the pesky weeds and plants left or survived the pre-emergent.
Carrying out this particular activity has come with a dozen of advantages which include clearing of vegetation obscuring signs and signals that are used to warn the public. In addition their clearing has reduced the slippery conditions on crossings. There has been reduction of unnecessary fires. The bed integrity has been improved through the effective regular inspection.
The effected programs have helped to manage the vegetation and are very essential. On the other hand, the up to date methods and techniques have been of great help to the railroads. The programs employed have also been friendly in a way to the mother nature and positive feedback attained.
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