Adopt Modern Construction. The use of continuous welded rail on concrete ties and the provision of good drainage can reduce maintenance costs. Maintenance-related outages are less frequent, the track does not deteriorate so quickly, and a smoother ride is provided. Prevent Wheel slip. Computer control can eliminate this problem, which causes premature rail wear.
Curved track wears far faster than straight, and the sharper the curve the worse the problem.
Track wear is directly correlated to traffic and weight. Reducing vehicle weights helps. Most modern rapid transit vehicles are surprisingly wasteful of energy. This saves brake wear but does not recover any of the energy used to accelerate the train, which, in metro service with frequent stops, is the largest component of energy usage. Full regenerative braking can recover most of the energy otherwise lost to braking.