Sustainable Track Ties Lead to Greener PATH

By: Scott Ladd, Port Authority staff

With an eye toward a more sustainable rail future, PATH is adding 12,250 composite railroad ties to its infrastructure stockpile, a move that will install more environmentally friendly structures along more than two miles of track to improve rides for millions of PATH commuters.?

In October, PATH will install the first composite ties in one of the rail tunnels between the Grove Street and Newport stations. Track ties, which are laid perpendicular to the tracks, provide support for the rails between the tracks and the ground. Within the PATH track network throughout New York and New Jersey, the vast majority of track ties are made of wood or concrete.??

The new ties that PATH will install this fall are made of a composite of recycled plastic materials that otherwise would wind up in landfills. They are moisture-resistant, less quick to rot and crack, and don’t require creosote or other chemical applications for preservation that are environmentally less safe.? The average life expectation for a composite is about 50 years -- more than twice that of treated wood ties.?

The installation of the new composite ties to replace existing wood ties is an integral part of the larger two-year $430 million PATH Forward program to inject critical investment into PATH’s infrastructure, facilities and stations. As PATH modernizes its 116-year-old rail system, the Port Authority is striving to make those improvements in more environmentally friendly ways. Wood ties currently account for about 95 percent of all track tie installations in North America, according to industry estimates, though usage of composite ties are gaining traction and considered the wave of the future.

“By using composites, we’re pressing forward on building a network of ties that are more sustainable and durable, require less maintenance, and contribute to the protection of the environment,” said PATH Deputy Director Tom Crowell, who is in charge of the railroad’s infrastructure and rolling stock.

Composite ties are more expensive than wood but because they are projected to save money in the long run through reduced maintenance and costs, extended shelf life and greater durability, the green in greener track ties also mean cost savings.

In addition to the composite ties, PATH plans to install about 5,500 feet of concrete ties, which are also more sustainable than wood ties, in an improvement project west of the Journal Square station. Concrete is better suited for those outdoor stretches of track, whereas composite ties are better for usage in tunnels where the ties would experience less exposure to the elements.

“Applying 21st century solutions to address 21st century challenges, we’re building a more stable, reliable, and cost-efficient network for the railroad and the surrounding communities we serve. Our commitment to more environmentally friendly resources is just one example of that.” PATH Director, Clarelle DeGraffe

For more information on the PATH Forward program, including upcoming scheduled work and related service impact, click here .