en Railway track and structures Railway track and structures پژوهشي Research <span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">The freezing-thawing phenomenon is one of the most well-documented causes of aggregate degradation. This study investigates the impacts of freeze-thaw cycles on railway ballast aggregates through comprehensive laboratory tests. The aggregates were subjected to freeze-thaw cycles according to BS EN 1367-1 standards, and deterioration evaluation indexes were determined. The results indicate significant increases in the Los Angeles abrasion, Micro-Deval impact, and crushing indices under freeze-thaw conditions compared to normal temperature conditions. The obtained results indicate that the durability indices under freezing-thawing cycles, led to an average reduction of 20%. The findings highlight the critical need for improved ballast materials and maintenance strategies to enhance the durability and performance of railway infrastructure in cold regions.</span></span></span><br> &nbsp; Freezing-thawing, climate change effect, ballast aggregates, laboratory tests, railway infrastructures. 39 47 http://ijrare.iust.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-247-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Hamidreza Heydari h_heydari@iust.ac.ir 180031947532846002875 180031947532846002875 Yes School of Railway Engineering, Iran University of Science & Technology Sina Nadermohammady s_nadermohammady@rail.iust.ac.ir 180031947532846002876 180031947532846002876 No School of Railway Engineering, Iran University of Science & Technology