This section describes material and drainage issues that need to be evaluated as part of the design of cuts
and fills along railroad roadways. It is assumed that the general project alignment has been selected, field
exploration and soil sampling have been performed, and laboratory testing is completed prior to
commencing with the final design. Issues for consideration in design include horizontal and vertical
alignments and typical sections all of which are influenced by traffic considerations, topographical features,
drainage, and soils and rock data. Environmental conditions such as drainage, wetlands and contaminated
soils also influence the design.
b. Subjects which could be common to both design and maintenance are found in Section 1.4, Maintenance.
These subjects include unstable subgrade conditions, frost heaving of tracks, rock falls, both cut and fill
slope failures, and erosion control. The issues which are discussed in Section 1.2, Design, address how soils
and drainage influence cuts and fills.