 Under sleeper pads, USPs have been used in the Czech Republic since 2007 to protect permanent way elements from extreme dynamic loading. Test sections were constructed to assess the effectiveness of these pads in improving track quality, including deflection and vibration of sleepers and bearers. Positive results were seen after six years of monitoring, suggesting that USPs can be beneficially applied to switches and crossings. This article was authored by Otto Plasek, Moroslava Hrusakova, Richards Voboda, and others.