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<p>The decarbonization of transport infrastructure has intensified interest in the valorization of Solid Waste Materials (SWM) as secondary resources in civil engineering. While extensive research has consolidated low-carbon and circular solutions for road pavements, the specific context of railway infrastructure – including ballast, sub-ballast, sleepers and auxiliary track layers – remains comparatively fragmented and under-synthesized. This study presents a comprehensive review of global research on the application of SWM in railway infrastructure. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 131 peer reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 were identified from Scopus and systematically reviewed. The scientometric analysis revealed a marked acceleration in publication activity after 2018, with Australia, China, the United Kingdom and Brazil emerging as the most active contributors. Ballast and sub-ballast applications represented the predominant research focus, while steel slag, recycled aggregates, rubber waste and mining residues were the most frequently investigated waste streams. The reviewed literature indicates that industrial by-products, recycled aggregates, polymeric wastes and mining residues can achieve mechanical, durability and functional performance comparable to conventional materials when appropriately engineered and verified against railway performance requirements. Scientometric mapping shows a rapidly expanding research field structured around (i) geotechnical performance and degradation mechanisms, (ii) vibration and noise mitigation through resilient inclusions, and (iii) sustainability assessment through life-cycle methods. Despite encouraging outcomes, gaps persist regarding long-term field performance, environmental risk control, harmonization of railway standards, and the integration of digital tools for lifecycle management. The findings support the strategic role of railway infrastructure as a large-scale and long-term sink for solid waste valorization aligned with circular economy strategies and low-carbon transport systems.</p>

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Sustainable valorization of solid waste materials in railway infrastructure: a systematic review

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月24日

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  • Raphael Lúcio Reis dos Santos,
  • Conrado de Souza Rodrigues,
  • Janaina Aguiar Park,
  • Marcio Mateus Pimenta,
  • Luis Felipe dos Santos Lara

摘要

The decarbonization of transport infrastructure has intensified interest in the valorization of Solid Waste Materials (SWM) as secondary resources in civil engineering. While extensive research has consolidated low-carbon and circular solutions for road pavements, the specific context of railway infrastructure – including ballast, sub-ballast, sleepers and auxiliary track layers – remains comparatively fragmented and under-synthesized. This study presents a comprehensive review of global research on the application of SWM in railway infrastructure. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 131 peer reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 were identified from Scopus and systematically reviewed. The scientometric analysis revealed a marked acceleration in publication activity after 2018, with Australia, China, the United Kingdom and Brazil emerging as the most active contributors. Ballast and sub-ballast applications represented the predominant research focus, while steel slag, recycled aggregates, rubber waste and mining residues were the most frequently investigated waste streams. The reviewed literature indicates that industrial by-products, recycled aggregates, polymeric wastes and mining residues can achieve mechanical, durability and functional performance comparable to conventional materials when appropriately engineered and verified against railway performance requirements. Scientometric mapping shows a rapidly expanding research field structured around (i) geotechnical performance and degradation mechanisms, (ii) vibration and noise mitigation through resilient inclusions, and (iii) sustainability assessment through life-cycle methods. Despite encouraging outcomes, gaps persist regarding long-term field performance, environmental risk control, harmonization of railway standards, and the integration of digital tools for lifecycle management. The findings support the strategic role of railway infrastructure as a large-scale and long-term sink for solid waste valorization aligned with circular economy strategies and low-carbon transport systems.