The Home Office Research Studies are reports on research undertaken by or on behalf of the Home Office. They cover the range of subjects for which the Home Secre t a ry has re s p o n s i b i l i t y. Other publications produced by the Research, Development and Statistics include Findings, Statistical Bulletins and Statistical Papers. RDS is part of the Home Office. RDS staff are embedded within delivery groups working closely with front-line staff. The HO Chief Scientific Advisor, who is also Director of RDS, oversees p rofessional development for RDS teams, quality assurance and strategic R & D issues. The Home Off i c e 's purpose is to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced and the p rotection and security of the public are maintained. RDS includes staff within the Government Statistical Service (GSS). One of the GSS aims is to i n f o rm Parliament and the members of the public about the state of the nation and provide a window on the work and perf o rmance of government, allowing the impact of govern m e n t policies and actions to be assessed. T h e re f o re-R e s e a rch Development and Statistics in the Home Office improves policy making, decision taking and practice in support of the Home Office purpose and aims, to provide the public and Parliament with information necessary for informed debate and to publish information for future use.

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A recently developed Flexible Track System Model integrated with a multibody dynamics software tool was used to simulate the dynamic interaction between a vehicle and two innovative slab track designs, comparing their performance with respect to conventional ballasted track. The design concepts are presented and the modelling assumptions are given. Simulations are then carried out to quantify, for example, the impact of ballasted track degraded state using the case of a hanging sleeper. In comparison, the benefit of the two innovative track designs is highlighted as they prevent this type of localised defect from occurring. The alternative track designs were also shown to be capable of carrying a vehicle safely and with less impact on the system over a localised weakened formation support, by simulating a washout event.

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