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BallastSaver

Geotechnical Services

Ballast Saver

Take the guesswork out of determining your ballast needs with BallastSaver®. This pioneering technology enables you to deliver only the ballast you need right where it’s needed. Using advanced LIDAR, BallastSaver can analyze your existing ballast profile and compare it to an idealized profile, identifying any and all ballast deficiencies in the process.

By pinpointing your ballast needs, you can remove subjectivity from your ballast program. Now you can easily determine the number of ballast cars you need over a given area or prioritize the unloading of a car that’s already on site to dump ballast only in the most critical areas.

BallastSaver can work in tandem with our GateSync® system to automate the ballast delivery process. Automated delivery minimized the amount of ballast you need, reduces the manpower needed to get the job done, and avoids tying up your track longer than necessary.

BallastSaver can now be integrated onto the same hi-rail vehicle as our Aurora® track inspection system to provide a comprehensive view of the condition of your track in a single pass – from deficiencies in the ballast profile to flaws in your individual ties and rails. With the complete picture in front of you, you can plan out your capital maintenance programs with confidence.

Localized Ballast Surveying

BallastSaver surveys calculate ballast deficiencies in the cribs, shoulders and side slopes of the ballast section. It even takes into account increased shoulder requirements in curves. That improves the accuracy and efficiency of ballast placement and allows you to minimize the amount of ballast you need to purchase.

Ballast Program System Prioritization

Using performance-based weighting factors, BallastSaver can prioritize your ballast needs to address vertical, lateral and longitudinal track performance requirements. Easily create 10- to 20-mile, section-based ballast programs that take into account curvature, high-buckle risk locations, high-speed track and much more.

Ballast End of Tie Defects

Missing ballast at the end of ties is a particularly problematic situation that can cause lateral stability issues. BallastSaver uses a 20-foot rolling average to identify critical areas and flags them with coordinates to expedite repairs.

Grade Crossing Profile and Clearance Envelope Assessment

Ballast saver provides added ability to measure the profile of grade crossings as well as to assess clearance envelope violations, including potential clearance violations that may result from a track lift.

  • Hyrail truck
  • Uses a 20-foot rolling average to identify critical areas
  • Flags location with coordinates for easy identification
  • Accurate, repeatable results
  • Helps prioritize ballast placement based on performance requirements
  • Can create 10 to 20-mile, section-based ballast programs
  • Optimizes the amount of ballast needed
  • Meets industry inspection requirements
  • Utilizes LIDAR to detect ballast deficiencies
  • Encoder based system to track location
  • Collects data at 30 mph and data is processed in house
  • Can be used as a stand alone service
  • Provides miles by mile ballast requirements (ft3 and carload)
  • Provides a 360 degree FOV for tunnels, trees, etc
  • Includes ballast required for 1”, 2”, or 3” lift, no dump zones, end of tie defects, and danger zones.

US Patent #8875635
US Patent #9175998

LTI Ballast Saver Brochure

Downloadable brochure

  • BallastSaver_Scan4_UpRez
  • BallastSaver truck
  • BallastSaver
  • BallastSaver truck