A review of alternative materials for replacing existing timber sleepers

Timber is the most widely used material for railway sleepers, however, as a sleeper material it deteriorates with time and needs appropriate replacement. In recent years, hardwood timber for railway sleepers is becoming more expensive, less available and is of inferior quality compared to the timber previously available. There are also now various environmental concerns regarding the use and disposal of chemically-impregnated timber sleepers. This has resulted in most railway industries searching for alternative materials to replace existing timber sleepers. This paper presents a review of recent developments and presents an initiative focusing on fibre composites as an alternative material for railway sleepers. Fibre composites are emerging as an alternative viable construction material. An overview of the on-going research and development on innovative fibre composite railway sleepers is also discussed.