voestalpine Railway Systems and PJM have successfully completed a mobile and rail milling and monitoring project which also covers the installation of measuring sensors an existing vehicle of Metro Barcelona which allow automatic measuring.
The unique service portfolio “efficient rail maintenance in three steps” was presented by voestalpine Railway Systems and PJM in august 2021. Within a short time, numerous parameters were determined continuously on all metro lines, such as the quality of the transverse and longitudinal rail profile, the track gauge, and the vertical rail wear. The generated data was digitised and visualised in the form of a network condition report.
“The use of smart measurement technology and the integrated approach to determine rail condition in combination with maintenance measures, enables the operator to significantly increase efficiency in the operation of the infrastructure. Simultaneously, the risk of unplanned maintenance work at short notice is drastically reduced,” Martin Joch, the CEO of PJM, aid.
Targeted rail maintenance actions were planned, based on the rail measurement results. Subsequently, rails of over 50 km of track, including for the first-time turnouts, were efficiently milled by voestalpine Track Solutions Germany using its high-performance rail milling technology. After this process, the rails in track and turnouts were restored to an almost as-new condition. The focus lied on eliminating so-called corrugation on the rail running surface. As a result, unwanted noise emissions during metro operation were significantly reduced and travel comfort for passengers was increased. After completing the milling works, a second measurement campaign was carried out in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of rail milling as well as to provide objective evidence of the improved condition.
For Metro Barcelona objective condition data enables efficient and targeted action planning related to rail maintenance. In combination with mobile rail milling, identified rail damage can immediately and sustainably be maintained and restored. This reduces unwanted noise emissions, increases travel comfort, and extends the rail service life.
“With our milling service, operational rail damage in track and turnouts can sustainably be restored. In order to plan this maintenance measure efficiently, it is very important to have the best possible knowledge of the rail condition in advance. With our combined services, including rail measurement technology, we offer an all-round carefree package for our customers,” Johannes Wundersamer, Vice President Sales of voestalpine Track Solutions Germany said.
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