Innovations in erosion control on railway steep slopes (batters)

Research into cost-effective strategies for erosion control (HEFRAIL Project) on railway earthworks steep slopes (batters) in Central Queensland, Australia, has established that 100 % grass cover reduces erosion by over 90 % compared with the bare scenario. The strategies are centred on amelioration of the largely dispersive, sodic, saline and extreme pH in-situ or borrowed subsoil of the earthworks, provision of a cheap mulch (waste ballast or erosion control blanket) to protect grass seeds/ seedlings and ameliorants from washout by rainfall events, and development of a cost-effective drip irrigation system. This paper presents innovations of the cost-effective erosion control strategies demonstrated at selected field trial sites throughout Central Queensland. Although the erosion control strategies have been developed for semi-arid environments, it is believed they have potential in humid environments as well. as well.