The Need To Railroad Weed Control

| Friday, June 6, 2014
By Sally Delacruz


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 very hard for rail maintainers to notice broken railway in grown weeds. They prevent automated equipment operation such as the switch heaters. To keep off such dangers at bay, the railroads have put programs in session that are meant to eradicate the weeds before they get big. They also kill the already sprouted therefore controlling bush and tree growth. This is not as simple as termed therefore they use a combination of mechanical cutting and herbicide spraying.

In the past there have been few methods which were initiated to handle this issue. Water was used, this was through mounting a machine to a truck. The mounted machine poured scalding water over the tracks killing any vegetables on the way. Flaming which involved outfitting a vehicle with weed burners. The burners like nozzles directed fierce flames on the track, searing any vegetation.

Having a strong foundation of railroad is very important in this industry. Time consumed in the journey is minimized and safety of the passengers is maintained. The railroad has never been accorded the attention required and has also been off limelight. This measure of cutting off or controlling weeds minimizes accidents.

The maintenance of track as well as its compliance have been greatly considered by the majority of railroad companies. This has been relieve on operators and the passengers at large. A viable example of the programs taken is the Amtrak which set aside almost $2.2 million on annual basis. If the operator is going at a speed of 150 mph and above, need to have a clear sight which if interrupted would result to accidents.

Currently, the controlling of weeds is carried out by contractors who spray a pre-emergent herbicide off and on track. This is done between the 3rd week of March and at the end of April. Post- emergent herbicide is sprayed at the beginning of June to eliminate pesky plants that survived the pre-emergent application.

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.

Vegetation management is continuing to be essential in the maintenance of the effected programs. The techniques used especially current have been effective to the railroads. The programs have been friendly with mother nature and nothing negative has been noticed so far on the methods being used.




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