Comparison of different types of ballast materials: Evaluation in terms of ballast pollution, maintenance ease, and sustainability

The safe and efficient operation of railway lines relies heavily on the selection of appropriate infrastructure, particularly ballast materials. Various materials such as granite, basalt, limestone, gravel, and slag are used as ballast, each offering different advantages and disadvantages in terms of mechanical strength, drainage capacity, chemical resistance, and cost. The choice of ballast must consider factors like geographical conditions of the line, distance to material sources, logistics, cost, and sustainability. Inadequate ballast selection can lead to track geometry deterioration, drainage issues, and increased operating costs. This study will examine the ballast materials currently used on railway lines and the problems encountered, comparing alternative ballast materials in terms of mechanical and chemical resistance, sustainability, and ease of supply. Additionally, the environmental and health impacts of mining methods used in ballast production, ballast contamination, and maintenance processes will be evaluated. The advantages and disadvantages of different materials will be presented in tables and graphs, highlighting which ballast type is most suitable under specific conditions.