Railway-News Magazine Issue 5 2021 by a2b Global Media

The latest news & reviews from the industry

Railway-News M

Inside:

Under Construction… p.10

A look at two of Australia’s rail infrastructure projects currently being built

The European Rail Freight Sector – An Outlook… p.6 In conversation with Frank Hermandung from KfW IPEX-Bank

ISSUE FIVE 2021

Letter from the Editor

the time. Others, however, feel anxious about returning to public transport, fearing being in close proximity to large numbers of people. It is here that suppliers can help passengers feel more at ease – by offering effective cleaning options, air purification technologies and contactless ticketing, to name but a few measures.

Dear Readers, Our final Railway-News magazine of the year was originally meant to be published in the run up to AusRAIL PLUS, but the event’s postponement to March 2022 is a reminder that the coronavirus pandemic is still with us and although life has returned to more normal ways for many of us, that normalcy still stands on a fragile footing. The event organisers said the decision to move the event into the new year was made because of “current Queensland border restrictions and the ongoing uncertainty about when they will be lifted”. AusRAIL PLUS takes place in New South Wales, the state that borders Queensland to the south. The event organisers are hoping all the speakers who confirmed their participation at the original event will still be available for the new dates. One of the planned panel discussions is entitled ‘Re-engaging customers in a post-COVID environment’, with speakers from John Holland Group, Transdev, Siemens Mobility, Metro Trains Melbourne and Torrens Connect. And indeed, getting passengers to return is vital, not just for the rail industry, but also for international decarbonisation goals. Passenger numbers have not returned to pre-pandemic levels yet – and there are manifold reasons for this, not least because networks are still operating reduced timetables and many people are still working remotely, at least some of

An additional route to growing passenger numbers again is by focusing heavily on passenger experience. If the trip by rail can be made enticing enough that alternative travel options are viewed as lesser choices, then that will encourage travellers to opt for rail again. Passenger experience can be addressed directly, by providing free, fast and reliable wifi, by offering services such as at-seat bookings for refreshments, or by focusing on accessibility to make rail an option for everyone in society; but passenger experience can also be addressed indirectly, by investing in technologies that reduce the amount of fleet downtime and that therefore increase fleet reliability and availability and minimise disruptions or even service cancellations. In that sense all of the suppliers featured in this magazine are doing their bit for passenger experience, because it takes an industry to deliver high-quality services. We will publish our first issue of 2022 on 7 March. Receive it straight to your inbox by signing up to our mailing list here. As always, if you want to be featured on our site or in our e-magazine, please get in touch with Andrew Lush at al@ a2bglobalmedia.com or +44 7432 725001. If you enjoy our website and magazine, you might also be interested in our sister sites – Bus-News, Future Transport-News and Airport IndustryNews.

Josephine Cordero Sapién, editor-in-chief

Meet the Team! ANDREW LUSH

Director al@a2bglobalmedia.com

JOSEPHINE CORDERO SAPIÉN Editor-in-chief jcs@a2bglobalmedia.com

NICOLA BROWN

Head of Sales nb@a2bglobalmedia.com

LAURA KINGDOM

Head of Client Content lk@a2bglobalmedia.com

BETH GUY

Client Liaison bg@a2bglobalmedia.com

AMBER GUY-KEMP

Design hello@gkb-creative.com

a2b Global Media Ltd The Generator Hub, The Gallery Kings Wharf The Quay, Exeter EX2 4AN Office: +44 (0)1392 580002 Mobile: +44 (0)7432 725001 Email: info@railway-news.com Website: railway-news.com To subscribe to our newsletter, visit railway-news.com/subscribe COVER Inland Rail © Inland Rail

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Features p.6 The European Rail Freight Sector – An Outlook KfW IPEX-Bank’s Director Origination and Structuring, Mobility & Transport Frank Hermandung on the technological developments within the European rail freight sector and its modal share.

p.10 Under Construction… We take a look at two rail infrastructure projects currently under construction in Australia – Inland Rail, a 1,700km freight rail line, and Cross River Rail, a new commuter rail line in Brisbane.

p.16 Directory .A directory of railway suppliers for data & information, rolling stock, infrastructure, and services. Read about all the latest innovations and product developments in the rail sector. Data & Information

p.19

Rolling Stock

p.83

Infrastructure

p.143

Services

p.177

CONTENTS

Issue Five 2021

The European Rail Freight Sector – An Outlook KfW IPEX-Bank’s Director Origination & Structuring, Mobility & Transport Frank Hermandung on the technological developments within the European rail freight sector and its modal share. KfW IPEX-Bank, which is responsible for commercial transport and infrastructure financing within KfW Group. We have been committed to the sector with a large team and portfolio for decades, financing both start-ups as well as established market operators. Railway lines, railcars, locomotives and signalling technology: our domain includes everything that requires financing in the wheel-rail system. Frank Hermandung Director Origination & Structuring, Mobility & Transport – KfW IPEX-Bank

Q: Mr Hermandung, what is KfW IPEX-Bank’s interest in European rail freight transport? Frank Hermandung: Financing for environmentally friendly passenger and freight transport in Europe, but also around the world, is a core focus of

Q: What are the latest trends you’ve seen? Have railways entered the 21st century? FH: Railways in Europe have a long history; many technical elements date back to the last two centuries. It has only been in recent years that freight cars, for example, have stopped using sheer force and extreme power to brake by pressing a steel block on to the freight car wheel tread – a technique from the 19th century.

To date, however, the only change made with tremendous effort by European railcar lessors and operators has been in the material used: the cast-iron block brake is now made of a more suitable material. It is interesting to note that it was not efficiency that led to this development but the need to limit noise emissions. By its very nature, however, the rail system is slow moving; changes do not take effect on a small scale, as is the case with lorries, but require enormous investments in a huge integrated system with much more closely linked infrastructure and rolling stock. At the same time, the safety and regulatory requirements are much higher than for road transport. In addition, railways, in their capacity as public infrastructure, provide public services and are thus sometimes subject to requirements other than purely economic ones.

in the process of leveraging this potential.

increase by an average of 2.5% p.a. over the long term.

Q: What are the key drivers for the growing momentum in the sector?

Finally, but certainly not least important, there has been a tremendous increase in political will to develop rail into a competitive alternative to road; rail transport would not just coexist peacefully with road transport and contribute proportionally to general transport increases, it would also take significant market share away from road transport. Political declarations of this kind have already been made in the past, but the pressure of the climate policy discussion and the specific CO2 targets for the transport sector, combined with the considerable financial resources that are now being made available for this purpose, are new in this form. The political environment is creating a positive overall pro-rail climate.

FH: First, there is the trend towards more private entrepreneurship. More and more railway services are no longer operated by governmentowned railways, and competition is stimulating business.

*2020: Partially estimaed

After suffering continuous losses, rail initially managed to slightly increase its market share among modes of transport in Europe over the past decade, but then declined again in 2019 due to setbacks in two major markets. It is now at roughly the same level as in 2010 compared to road transport. It must be kept in mind that, during this period, the volume of transport grew by around 0.8% p.a. overall. Despite mixed performance in the early 2000s, we are currently seeing more technical changes at much shorter intervals than ever before: electronic signal boxes, automated train control systems, longer and heavier trains and modular railcars with greater flexibility have been introduced or will be soon. Drivers and influencers of innovation such as DAC (digital automatic coupling of freight cars) and digitalised operational processes are in the works. The railways have much higher potential for technical and workflow efficiency than other modes of transport and are slowly, but with growing momentum,

Added to this are the availability of modern technologies, a very sustainable long-term trend towards leasing rail vehicles with higher capacity utilisation and government subsidies that support the installation of modern train control technology, for example. The increased use of containers in intermodal transport, which has more than compensated for the loss of bulk cargo transport, has been and will continue to be one main driver of growth in transport capacity in this decade. With further dynamic development, the intermodal transport segment will likely grow about 1.7 times as fast as the gross domestic product, and thus account for most of the transport volume, which will © SCI Verkehr

Still, the targets are extremely ambitious. Target modal split rates of 30% across the EU and 25% in Germany have been announced by the respective political leaders to be achieved by 2030. Even getting to a 20% share in Germany as the biggest European market would

already require that considerable strides be made and DAC be introduced. Many investments will only take effect after a time lag and on a large scale. Short-term financial assistance such as the temporary reduction in rail access charges would have a faster effect. A repeal of the energy tax for traction units would certainly also be helpful. Finally, the competitive position of railways could be improved first and foremost if the actual costs were equal to other modes of transport that have traditionally been favoured. It is very difficult to create a level playing field in years when the current situation has been the result of the past decades. Q: What do you think the outlook is for modern rail freight in the coming years? What is possible, what needs to happen?

FH: Together with SCI – a strategic consultancy company focused on the international railway and logistics industry – we recently conducted a broad-based study to shed light on precisely this issue, which is essential for all

market operators but also for a rail financier like us. The good news: the long-term outlook is probably better than ever before. The aspects discussed above contribute to a positive overall climate, which will allow rail to gain significant market share in an above average growing transport market. Longer passing tracks, more efficient traction and the introduction of DAC will make longer and heavier trains possible. The introduction of a European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and electronic interlocking will increase the efficiency of the infrastructure. In this context, the inherent efficiency potential of rail is considerable because it has been inadequately harnessed to date. The bad news: politics, which has always played a decisive role in determining the fate of the railways, is difficult to assess. First, there needs to be a unified European will to make integrated projects like DAC financially and operationally possible. Governments must also decide at national level whether they want

to grant rail freight transport at least equal status to passenger rail transport, which also needs to be expanded, and to lorries on the roads. And last but not least, the “green idea” and the resulting CO2 reduction targets must create clear incentives to advance rail. There is good reason to believe that we are currently experiencing an enduring shift in the trend “towards rail”. After decades of losses, the last decade saw a strengthening in the status of rail, while its image and importance have already improved enormously. Many important economic, environmental and political drivers indicate that this trend will continue and gain significant momentum by 2030. However, many significant impacts of the system improvements made up to that point will only fully come into effect after 2030. Visit our website. Follow us on LinkedIn.

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Under Construction… Inland Rail Inland Rail: An Overview Inland Rail is a 1,700km northsouth rail line for freight that will connect Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. It is the largest freight rail project in Australia. The undertaking is broken down into 13 projects across these three states – one in Victoria, seven in New South Wales and five in Queensland. The route will connect to the 4,352km Sydney-Perth rail corridor, an east-west corridor, which will cut journey times between Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Of the 1,700km of track, 1,100km will be upgraded existing track, while 600km will be new track, providing the missing links between Melbourne and Brisbane. Once complete, the track will be able to accommodate double-stacked freight trains with a length of 1,800m and a top speed of 115km/h. The planned opening is scheduled for 2026.

Project 1: Parkes to Narromine Construction of the first project between Parkes and Narromine in New South Wales began in 2018 and was completed in 2020, with its commissioning taking place in

September of that year. As part of this project, 98.4km of existing track was upgraded and 5.2km of new track was laid near Parkes. This stretch is known as the North West Connection.

Project 2: Narribri to North Star Also in 2020, construction on the second section – also in New South Wales – began. It runs from Narrabri to North Star, a village near the Queensland border. This project will upgrade 184.7km of track and construct 1.6km of new track near Moree. Due to the complexity of this project, it has been broken down into two phases. During the

Inland Rail © Inland Rail

first phase, 171km of track will be upgraded. The principal contractor for these works is Trans4m Rail, a joint venture between John Holland and SEE Civil. Phase 2 will see the remaining 13.7km (around the Mehi-Gwydir floodplain) be upgraded and 1.6km of new track be constructed at Camurra. The purpose of the new track is to bypass a hairpin turn.

Cross River Rail Cross River Rail: An Overview Cross River Rail is an underground rail project that is currently under

Albert Street station – February 2021 © Kgbo under licence

construction in central Brisbane with terminuses at Dutton Park and Exhibition Station. The purpose of this new rail line is to address a bottleneck at the heart of Brisbane’s transport network. It achieves this through the construction of a second river crossing. It will have a length of 10.2km, including 5.9km of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and have six stations, of which four will be new underground stations. As part of the project, eight aboveground stations will be rebuilt. Early works construction began in 2017, while major construction commenced in 2019, by a consortium led by CIMIC Group. The planned opening is scheduled for 2024.

The Twin Tunnels and Their TBMs To create the twin tunnels, two tunnel boring machines will be

put to work. Both 7.2m cutter heads will have 39 cutter discs that weigh 200kg each. The TBMs are 165 long and were used on the Sydney Metro project. The TBMs – Else (named after Else Shepherd) and Merle (named after Merle Thornton) – began tunnelling in February and March 2021 respectively. Travelling around 30m per day, they will operate 24/7, staffed by a crew of 15. As the tunnel boring machines move along, they install the tunnel lining segments. Six segments complete the tunnel shell, with each one weighing 4.2t. So far, TBM Else has excavated in excess of 3,528m and installed 1,768 concrete rings, while TBM Merle has excavated more than 3,136m and installed 1,547 concrete rings.

The Rolling Stock The line will operate New

Generation Rollingstock six-car electric multiple units, which were constructed by Bombardier Transportation in India between 2015 and 2019. The New Generation Rollingstock trains are currently being fitted with the European Train Control System (ETCS). This work is being delivered by Hitachi Rail, Queensland Rail and the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority. By fitting the trains with ETCS, the network can have a reduced headway and therefore higher capacity. Each train will have a length of 147m and a top speed of 140km/h. They will run under 25kV overhead lines on a 1,067mm track gauge. The rolling stock is currently undergoing refurbishments to make them compliant with accessibility legislation. This work is also scheduled to be completed in 2024.

New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) © Pytomelon87 under licence

exceeding expectations

S3 Passenger INVENTORY, RESERVATION, AND TICKETING SOFTWARE FOR RAIL OPERATORS

S3 Navigator

S3 Fare S3 Inventory

S3 CRM S3 Ticket

S3 Communication S3 Payment

sqills.com

SQILLS’ STRENGTHS IDENTIFIED BY ITS CUSTOMERS Key strength:

Strong focus on rail and bus

Sqills' focus on surface

Deep expertise in rail and bus;

transport results in greater

Rich off the shelf functionality relevant to commercial

expertise and a relevant

needs in rail and bus markets;

offering to customers.

Flexibility through product enhancement for new customers; Rich development roadmap and growing reputation the market leader in rail and bus. Key strength:

Agile culture and platform

Sqills' agile way of working

Agile culture in line with customer ways of working;

and flexible SaaS platform is

Automatic update capability;

seen as an advantage over

Flexible architecture that supports interfaces with

competitors focused on

internal and third-party systems.

heavily customised solutions. Key strength:

Operational excellence

Sqills' service level and

Responsive customer service and technical support;

product performance is

Seamless implementation;

viewed as superior on several

Low incidence of errors or outages;

dimensions.

Proactive monitoring and solving of issues; Talented team to support operations throughout implementation and maintenance. Key strength:

Strong business case for customers

Most customers indicate

Off-the-shelf product de-risks implementation;

Sqills' breadth of

Rail and bus focus reduces the need for customisation;

functionality, price level, and

Revenue and cost benefits;

revenue / cost provide a

Competitive pricing.

compelling business case to customers.

Sqills scores highly on the key selection criteria most important to customers Breadth and relevance of functionality

Low

Technical Performance

Low

Price

Low

Track record / expertise

Low

Ease of integration

Low

Customer service

Low

Brand A

Brand B

Brand A

Brand D

Brand A

Brand C

Brand D

Brand B

exceeding expectations

Brand C

exceeding expectations

High

Brand A

Brand C

Brand D

exceeding expectations

High

Brand A - D are anonymised industry suppliers

Directory 19

83 Data & Information p.19 Ticketing

Passenger Entertainment & Wifi Traffic & Capacity Planning

Communications Technology Computers & Sensors

Condition Monitoring & Inspection

Rolling Stock

p.83

p.13

Train Overhaul, Maintenance & Cleaning

p.32

Rolling Stock Power Supplies

p.108

p.38

Train Interiors

p.126

p.59

Rolling Stock Components & Materials

p.134

p.22

p.48

p.84

143 177

Infrastructure

p.143

Stations & Station Furniture

p.144

Railway Depot Equipment

p.148

Worksite Protection

p.152

Track & Infrastructure Maintenance & Equipment

p.158

Services

p.177

Financial Services

p.176

Simulation & Testing

p.178

Staff Training & Equipment

p.185

Seamless and Universal GPS Coverage Extension SubWAVE™ for Rail

Seamless transition between outdoor and underground

Compatible with existing equipment (P25, TETRA, etc.)

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T O U L O U S E - PA R I S - S A N F R A N C I S C O - N E W Y O R K - M O N T R E A L

Directory

Data & Information Cisco

p.20

Passenger Entertainment & Wifi WiFi SPARK

p.22

Netskrt

p.26

PaxLife Innovations

p.29

Traffic & Capacity Planning PTV Group

p.32

Rail Movement Planner

p.36

Communications Technology Comtest Wireless

p.38

DAMM Cellular Systems A/S

p.41

Rajant

p.45

Syntony GNSS

p.46

Computers & Sensors Sintrones

p.48

Gobius Sensor Technology AB

p.52

Televic GSP

p.56

Condition Monitoring & Inspection VR FleetCare

p.59

3Squared

p.64

ENSCO Rail

p.67

Stimio

p.70

Olympus

p.73

Worldsensing

p.77

NEXTSENSE GmbH

p.80

Directory < Data & Information

Collaborative Solutions Are the Future

isco and Intel are working alongside Network Rail Telecom (NRT) to bring about innovative technological solutions. These provide the necessary improvements to passenger experience and employee safety.

What It Means to Live in the 21st Century and Beyond Dating back to the 18th century it was technology and innovation

that brought us the first steam train. It’s technology and innovation that have brought us to where we are today. And it’s technology and innovation that will take us into the future. As we face a climate crisis, and customer needs and working practices change, the rail industry needs to evolve to keep pace. Working in collaboration we are delivering high-speed connectivity to provide not only a smoother, safer passenger experience, but also a safer and more secure working environment. For the local community this connectivity will bring enhanced retail experience and levelling up opportunities. For

the rail operating companies it brings cost optimisation, greater service efficiencies and further revenue opportunities.

The Foundation from Which We Build… Supplying high-speed connectivity for station use and track to train is the foundation of this initiative. With connectivity at the core, you can deploy smart CCTV and sensor technology for use in a proactive and reactive manner. Analytics interpret the data, triggering alerts and initiating reactions to events. This fast response can prevent incidents on the railway in cases such as:

Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP

•

Crime and security: Smart cameras and visual analytics can monitor trespass on the line, left luggage, theft and more. Safety and trespass: Stations can monitor the yellow line ensuring no one steps across, thereby helping to reduce suicide risk. Crowd management: Smart CCTV analytics can count people on the platform, identify people running or people struggling with mobility and trigger alerts to the relevant service personnel. Maintenance: Having sensors embedded into the trains provides information on wear and tear of parts, and triggers a maintenance alert when needed.

Next Level Up Having established a firm foundation, software is able to take information from various data sources (IoT sensors, Meraki MV cameras, backend systems). This software combined with analytical models provides insights into the benefits derived, be that cost, time, or carbon usage. Thus, allowing NRT to demonstrate the real-world impact.

On Track to Carbon Neutral Using this technology to monitor the environment and surroundings, tracks and trains, buildings and

Environmental impact: Sensors can monitor changing environmental conditions such as crumbling cliffs and shifting sands ensuring such occurrences don’t go unnoticed. Likewise, being able to determine temperature and wind speeds helps prepare for weather-related events.

offices, NRT can move closer to its ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. This innovative collaboration using Intel processors embedded in Cisco solutions assists NRT in being a more sustainable organisation. Working together, using both Cisco and Intel labs, provides greater flexibility and speed when it comes to testing and certifying solutions.

Want to Know More? Please contact us if you would like to know more about how the technology works or what we are doing with the rail industry. cisco_transportation@cisco.com

Data & Information

“Transport has a huge role to play in the economy reaching net zero.”

How can you level up your WiFi with WiFi SPARK?

Benefit from Passenger Analytics, 24/7/365 Support, Mobile Data Offload and a Continually Connected Passenger Journey. Scan the QR code below to learn more about WiFi SPARK's transport solution.

< Data & Information

WiFi SPARK

– Going Beyond Just WiFi

WiFi SPARK Head Offices, Exeter

assengers are back in their hoards but are there innovative technological changes awaiting them?

Beginning with your WiFi, WiFi SPARK is here to elevate your offering in a way that streamlines information delivery, provides

insightful analytics and makes the running of a station easier than ever before.

Continuously Connected Passenger Journey

WiFi SPARK is a WiFi solutions company which focus on ensuring advanced connectivity as a base and tailoring a package that works to solve the specific pain points of a client whilst encouraging mutual innovation to deliver a cutting-edge WiFi experience for users.

With passengers coming to expect internet connectivity whilst they are mobile, it is considered a fourth utility and is now somewhat of a requirement for any public space. With people living further from their work, looking towards working from home and commuting times

45 23

Data & Information Passenger Entertainment & Wifi

Directory

getting longer and less frequent, passengers are increasingly looking for more value and to use their time whilst travelling productively, to work or to stay in touch with family and friends. Digital connectivity on rail has been historically difficult to achieve, passengers have been required to sign in multiple times to different systems when on the move, which can be time consuming for them and frustrating as they travel between trains and stations. WiFi SPARK has developed an innovative product, specifically for the passenger transportation industry, to enable train operating companies (TOC) to deliver continuous connectivity to their passengers, from station to train and back again. Passengers can sign in once and they will be connected to the internet from the beginning of their journey to the end, without having to log in multiple times. It’s free passenger WiFi, meaning they have the added bonus of not having to use their own data and incur costs. With single sign-on WiFi, when a passenger has logged in once, the innovative technology will recognise their device and allow them back online automatically with a ‘Welcome Back’ message for the next 365 days.

to log in and view graphs and reporting, detailing anonymous user data and network information, in line with GDPR. The TOCs can enrich the data and get further customer socio-demographic insight, to understand passengers’ journey analytics, behaviours and trends.

is offloaded on to the station WiFi. This ensures that passengers have the best connection available and so that train systems and infotainment can be updated. This has the opportunity to make cost savings for TOCs as it makes use of the more cost-effective station connectivity compared to cellular.

SPARK® provides numerous opportunities to use the passenger analytics to develop tailored engagement with passengers to upsell tickets and generate revenue from advertising and sponsorship. The platform has an API which allows for integration with other freely available data sources, creating an ecosystem of data in one central resource.

Case Study – Chiltern Railways

Any data collected is property of the TOC, WiFi SPARK does not use or sell this data.

Passenger WiFi on Trains and in Stations Mobile Data Offload for Seamless Passenger WiFi As the train approaches the station, the on-board train WiFi connectivity Chiltern Railways personalised user experience portal

Passenger Analytics for Rail WiFi SPARK strives to ensure its customers are getting the most out of its WiFi and its buildable analytics solution does just that. Data is collected and posted to the TOC’s CRM to enable better passenger engagement and drive return on investment (ROI). The TOC has access to SPARK® Analytics

46 24

As a pioneer for digital technology in the rail industry, Chiltern Railways recognised that seamless WiFi connectivity would be key for a superior passenger experience. The company required two networks, one private corporate and one public, that would complement each other and support data offloading, enabling continuous connectivity across the station. As well as this, Chiltern wanted a solution that gave them the capability to analyse customer data to gain unrivalled insights. Working with market-leading ontrain WiFi provider Icomera, WiFi SPARK implemented a revolutionary solution that provided seamless digital connectivity for Chiltern

Railways’ passengers, wherever they might be, in the station or on the train. The solution also marked the first TOC to offer ‘Friendly WiFi’ for passengers, guaranteeing a filtered browsing experience. The installation of a customised user experience (UX) increased the passenger engagement with the Chiltern brand, meaning customers can now enjoy a tailored WiFi experience. Transport analytics enabled Chiltern to collect and analyse data for richer insights into passenger behaviour. Information such as this is vital for identifying were to improve the passenger experience and delivering personalise marketing information to customers. In addition, the solution has seen great cost-saving benefits for the company. The data offloading

“At Arriva Trains UK we are passionate about being at the forefront of digital rail innovation, and WiFi SPARK has been instrumental in helping is exceed passenger expectations for the WiFi experience at Chiltern Railways. The Continuously Connected Passenger Journey means our passengers can enjoy frictionless connectivity and the results truly speak for themselves. The solution has seen an increase in WiFi users and marketing sign-ups, reflecting passengers’ positive engagement with the Chiltern brand.”

means that Chiltern Railways saves over £40,000 a year on their mobile data costs.

Exceptional Support 24/7 As with all WiFi SPARK managed solutions, a 24/7/365 UK-based Service Desk is provided. The purpose of the Service Desk is to provide support to users who are accessing, or trying to access the on-site WiFi service. Any question big or small, the WiFi SPARK Service Desk is on hand to help.

Safe, Secure and Compliant WiFi SPARK has many accreditations, including ISO9001,

ISO27001, Cyber Essentials, SSIP Worksafe Contractor, CHAS, RISQS, Achilles, Supply Line and more. The company is legally compliant with the Data Protection Act, RIPA and all new GDPR legislation. WiFi SPARK deals with the authorities on behalf of its customers, giving complete protection and peace of mind. WiFi SPARK works with companies to ensure any solution benefits you and your customers. A WiFi SPARK solution enables you to offer your audience more whilst generating a return on investment and keeping you at the height of digital innovation. If you’d like to find out more about WiFi SPARK and how they can help you elevate your WiFi, scan the QR code below.

info@wifispark.com 0344 848 9555 wifispark.com/transportation

– Sally Millet, Head of ICT at Arriva Trains

47 25

Directory < Data & Information

Netskrt

Deliver Uninterrupted Streaming Media Everywhere with the Netskrt eCDN

compelling customer experience is paramount for any industry and has the potential to determine the success or failure of products and services.

experimenting with multiple platforms to offer world-class services to their customers. Similarly, the railway industry is also evolving its service offerings to fulfil the emerging demands of its customers and deliver a memorable passenger travel experience.

needs, especially during challenging times like today, is critical to ongoing success.

In today’s technologically driven world, many industries are

Adapting a passenger-first strategy and dealing with their sophisticated

Covid-19 has impacted us all in many ways. With a new normal redefining

Unfolding the New Facet of ‘Customer Experience’

One of the consequences of recent lockdowns has been the surge in video streaming/viewing. Recent research revealed that among all over-the-top (OTT) capable homes, streaming video accounted for 25% of the total television viewing minutes in 2020, up from 19% in the fourth quarter of 2019. The cumulative weekly time spent on streaming video in the second quarter was 142.5 billion minutes, an increase of a whopping 75% from the 81.7 billion minutes recorded during the second quarter in 2019. The stats hold a validation to what defines the emerging needs of the consumers today. As video streaming comprises a major chunk of our day-to-day online activities, expecting a stable internet connection on the go for uninterrupted video viewing is not too much to ask for. Consequently, for railway companies/operators, the need to improve their existing infrastructure to provide better internet connectivity and enhance the overall customer experience has become even more critical.

Netskrt eCDN: Giving Passengers What They Really Want Though most of us have access to seamless high-quality internet connectivity in our homes and offices, it becomes challenging to have a comparable experience when travelling. Even the latest 5G technology is not able to fulfil the soaring video streaming demand, particularly in mobile environments. To meet this requirement and passenger preference, railway operators need to rethink their existing offerings and provide stable internet infrastructure to their passengers onboard. While a majority of railway operators already offer internet connectivity, the internet capacity on trains or in mobile environments is limited. Owing to this, railway operators are forced to block streaming video sessions. As an alternative, the passengers are offered walled-garden video-ondemand (VOD) systems. However, since these are outdated and compare poorly with the plethora of video content available online, they fail to satisfy the growing video appetite of the passengers. In order to address this, Netskrt Systems has developed the eCDN (edge content delivery network)

with a promise of enabling streaming video, everywhere. The advanced technology augments existing CDNs, enabling them to reach unserved or poorly served locations. It combines edge caching with cloud-based analytics and dynamic network adaptation. The cloud analytics and edge software are positioned at the “absolute” edge, to allow users to leverage their existing internet video subscriptions at speeds faster than they get at home. Furthermore, the Netskrt eCDN cloud is capable of learning consumer preferences over an extended footprint, allowing it to efficiently ingest, transform, and prioritise content for distribution. Seamless internet connectivity has become an essential part of the rail travel experience and has the potential to influence passenger travel decisions. The Netskrt eCDN technology offers the best content delivery network and has been developed with an aim to provide a ‘connected future’ to passengers onboard. By reducing congestion on 5G rollouts and offering unlimited entertainment choices to passengers, the Netskrt eCDN truly delivers on the promise of internet video streaming, EVERYWHERE!

Passenger Entertainment & Wifi

our lifestyle, we have embraced several habits that are here to stay. Owing to the successful work-fromhome culture, people have been able to cut down on their commute time and utilise it for personal indulgences like outdoor activities, fitness, individual hobbies, etc.

Passenger Entertainment & Wifi

Directory < Data & Information

5G & Caching Technology In-Vehicle Will Enable Seamless Streaming Media On-board

t is widely recognised that 5G technology will one day be a crucial element in making passengers on a train or bus feel digitally ‘at home’.

However, there are still practical barriers to harnessing 5G to deliver tangible benefits to passengers across the network in a realistic timeframe in the short term. Content caching at the vehicle edge is a promising solution to this dilemma.

In recent years, the demand for the use of streaming services (such as Netflix, Disney+ etc.) has increased dramatically, and this trend will continue, generating massive and growing data consumption. In addition, consumers now expect to be able to use these services

wherever and whenever they want, especially when they have free time, which fits perfectly with the rail and public transport environment. With regard to the network requirements, delivering to the edge remains a tremendous challenge. The increasing data consumption from a number of passengers carried on different train lines requires significant infrastructure yet to be put into place (such as the number of masts or base stations) covering all rail lines. This will take years and involves major investments. So in our view, 5G technology alone will struggle to deliver the fully connected journey that passengers expect. Is there an interim way, affordable to all stakeholders, to accelerate the capability we seek in terms of full 5G adoption? On-board content caching to offload data traffic from the vehicle’s network: this reduces data consumption costs while improving the digital experience of passengers. In this case, the combination of the content delivery network technology and in-vehicle hosting capability with today’s standard LTE/5G and wifi will reduce operating costs and significantly improve the service level for passengers. The delivery of VOD streaming platforms or applications to the home already relies on content delivery network solutions to ensure quality delivery of content to end-user devices. For moving environments such as rail, a content delivery network software can be easily integrated into a vehicle’s server, caching

multimedia content (from streaming services) on board and making it accessible to passengers’ connected devices via the wifi network. This frees up the vehicle’s cellular bandwidth and preserves it for other uses while reducing data transmission costs. In addition, it is easily retrofittable to existing wifi systems. From the passenger’s perspective, it improves the connected experience significantly, to finally feel digitally ‘at home’. As the content of streaming services, in particular those titles that are in high demand, is cached and hosted on board, closer to the users and delivered over the local network, it is then accessible in high quality and without delay, regardless of external connectivity. We can now offer the digital experience that passengers could have in a decade right away, as soon as CDN is activated. Indeed, the technology is already here. We are happy to discuss, contact us info@paxlife.aero / +49 331 243424-0

As an outlook, the role of CDN in media delivery both on network as well as in-vehicle is demonstrated in the EU Horizon 2020 5G-VICTORI project www.5g-victori-project.eu PaxLife Innovations is proud and excited to have joined the 5G VICTORI consortium at the beginning of 2021. PaxLife Innovations’s combined experience with media and transport operators brings expertise in software, content hosting as well as deployment and distribution to support the consortium in the development of an architecture and prototype suitable to (multi-) CDN based media distribution in the transport industry.

Maximizing the value of in-vehicle WiFi systems for media streaming onboard.

In partnership with media providers, PaxLife Innovations enables virtually unlimited WiFi bandwidth on board so that passengers can enjoy streaming media just like at home, while preserving most of the vehicles' existing cellular bandwidth for other uses. Our SaaS portfolio: live video streaming - live DAB+ radio broadcasting, CDN solution for onboard caching and delivery of VOD streaming libraries - onboard hosting of digital services - digital advertising service for passenger information displays. Your benefits: savings on broadband data consumption, improved passenger engagement, a better passenger viewing experience and future-proof, scalable solutions. To know more, get in touch at info@paxlife.aero or +49 331 243424-0 And join us at the next WiFi on Trains Conference 16/17 Nov in London www.traincomms.com

www. paxlife .aero

PTV Visum - Your Tool Kit for Rail Planning  Assess passenger experience and crowding  Explore connections and accessibility  Optimise the timetable for passengers  Estimate and explore fare revenues  Understand costs and assess recovery  Assess vehicle requirements and costs  Optimise allocation of vehicles to timetables  Assess risk of delays on passenger experience  Compare multiple scenarios

Find out more: ptv.to/pt2021

Traffic & Capacity Planning

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PTV Group

Network Rail Adopts New PTV Solution for Station Capacity Analysis A

nalysis of rail station capacity is a key function of Network Rail, which owns the over 2,500 train stations across Great Britain. While it is only responsible for the management of 20 of the biggest and busiest stations, it is the asset owner for all stations and must approve all functional changes to station design and layouts. Station capacity planning has recently become a particularly important topic, given the social distancing guidelines introduced across the public transport network. It is

also expected that the successor organisation of Network Rail set out in The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail will have a larger role in the management of stations.

Balancing Detail and Time to Support Programmes More Efficiently Currently, there are two main options to analyse the capacity of rail stations. The first is to build a very detailed microsimulation model, which usually requires a large amount of data including passenger numbers, accurate station layouts, and calibrated

parameters. These models can be expensive to build and need frequent maintenance to ensure that they remain accurate. Hence, they are only used for large stations such as the London Terminals, where there are complex interactions between passengers across multiple concourses, retail facilities, platforms and exits. The second option is spreadsheetbased analysis using simple metrics and KPIs, without detailed representation of station layout and passenger conflicts. Therefore, it may not be able to capture the level of detail required to analyse different station layouts and evaluate possible interventions to manage capacity. While these tools have served planners well in the

past, there is a large gap in detail and modelling effort between these two options.

A ‘Middle Ground’ Solution The new tool aims to provide a “middle ground” between highlevel analysis and microsimulation, utilising PTV Visum to store data – such as passenger movements – and run the simulation, before exporting a standard set of analyses such as passenger flows and platform densities and clearance times. The mesoscopic approach allows for the modelling of individual passengers through a station, including interactions between passengers on walkways, stairs, platforms and concourses, without the need for extensive calibration or data collection. From the simulation, key metrics such as queue length, walking speeds and levels of service can be obtained and used to evaluate the performance of the station.

Making the Most of Standard Datasets The tool has been developed to utilise standard datasets including timetables, passenger numbers and station layouts. These are available for stations across the network and can be simply processed to produce the inputs for the model. The station network in Visum can be created by tracing the layout using either a standard background map or a more detailed CAD layer, with only the outline of the concourses, walkways and platforms required to be drawn by the user. The speed of setting up these models means that

multiple scenarios and mitigations can be tested very quickly on a consistent basis. The outputs from these models include easy-to-understand visuals such as ‘moving-dot’ animations showing passengers moving through the station, and graphs of passenger numbers and density, delays, and levels-of-service throughout the simulation period. This means that they can easily be shared with stakeholders, including those who may not have a technical background.

Not Just Capacity Analysis In addition to the core use case of capacity planning, these models can also give valuable insights in relation to safety. As an example, it can be used to consider the number of passengers and potential crowding on platforms when a nonstopping service is passing through a station at high speed. This is an issue in the medium-sized stations

along busy corridors that the tool would be primarily used to analyse that may not typically have existing microsimulation models that could be used for this purpose. This can be used either at the planning stage when designing timetables as these issues can be flagged early and allow for mitigations and alterations to be put in place, or from the operational side, with more staff available to advise passengers and automated announcements to warn passengers. A further use case is to model the entire passenger experience, particularly at a time when the rail industry is seeking to entice passengers back. This may include factors other than those traditionally measured using transport models, including the planning of retail space and facilities within the station. A better understanding of passenger movements around these aspects of the station within a fast and easily updated model platform offers unique advantages over alternative methods.

A Game-Changing Tool This first of a kind tool offers unique insight into the planning and operation of rail stations of all sizes. It allows for detailed and comprehensive modelling of stations that may not require a full microsimulation model but cannot be fully understood with aggregate spreadsheet analysis. However, it has wider applications than capacity planning and can integrate with other core Network Rail functions such as safety analysis, retail planning and timetable development. Looking forwards, the opportunity exists to connect these discrete station models to understand passenger experience and impacts at a corridor and/or network level. This shows a clear opportunity for the tool to be pivotal in short-term disruption planning (including understanding changes in passenger flows using the demand assignment capabilities) and longterm capacity planning for the network.

“The development of a bespoke mesoscopic station modelling tool within the Visum package has been a truly collaborative piece between PTV Group, RelativeGAP, and Network Rail. Having such a tool is a game changer for our analysis, not only allowing us to undertake advanced assessments much more quickly, but also in terms of transparency and governance, where the methodology is much more defined and controlled than previous spreadsheet modelling. The capability for Visum to interpret these models as a network or line system will be a ‘first of a kind’ for the UK rail network and is an exciting opportunity to better serve our passengers, such as by minimising crowding and simplifying interchanges.” Daniel Chaney, Senior Station Capacity Planner, Network Rail

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Comtest Wireless

The Importance of Drive Tests

Drive test systems can therefore, collect and record information relating to a telecom network’s service within the test geographical area. The results can be used to measure the QoS against predetermined KPIs, as well as for diagnostics and troubleshooting.

from third parties (known as band clearance).

What Are Drive Tests?

Drive Tests for Rail Telecoms Network Acceptance

In summary, drive tests are an essential element in measuring and assessing mobile radio network coverage, capacity and quality of service (QoS), using specialist electronic equipment that measures mobile network air interface.

The initial test & measurement of a rail telecoms network normally takes place at the installation and acceptance stages, using a drive test system. Even before installing the network, drive tests are used to check if the frequencies to be used are affected by interference

The key rail test specifications (Eirene SRS and FRS together with O-2875 and Morane) are normally carried out by telecom vendors but it is also key for railway operators to know exactly which specification/ standard and service levels the network is compliant to as KPIs for voice may differ from data.

rive Tests are an important part of ongoing rail telecoms and signalling service assurance as well as of rail telecoms network acceptance. Comtest Wireless explains why.

During the installation phase, first coverage and network accessibility tests are performed, which are followed by reliability testing, travelling across the network.

As drive tests are the most common way to gain network acceptance, it is easy to pigeonhole

Rarely is there one perfect solution for all circumstances and the same applies to drive test systems. Comtest Wireless provides several options to suit, depending on the budget and drive test requirements. Dedicated test trains or test wagons can provide the facility to permanently install drive test equipment, often as racks including options for unattended and remote management. Alternatively, transportable solutions such as customised onboard units, equipment housed in a trolley or backpacks can often be more suitable. For example: •

their use. However, many leading rail operators around the world regularly use drive tests for the whole of the railway operations lifecycle.

highly recommended to ensure critical levels of quality and service are maintained, especially for rail networks operating ETCS level 2 signalling and above.

Ongoing Drive Tests for Operational Lines

When systems fail, the ground-train communication can potentially cause train stoppage and delays. This can be critical when operating at high utilisation levels with many trains running every hour. The ability to source and pinpoint issues quickly, efficiently and effectively can be vital for maintaining continued train operations.

After a network has been fully accepted, an ongoing network monitoring & troubleshooting routine should be established as an integral part of daily operations and maintenance. Critical situations can occur if there are issues with interference or equipment failure on operational railway lines. Based on operational experiences, an ongoing proactive maintenance or service assurance campaign is

This ensures QoS standards and operational KPIs are met; not only giving service assurance but also making it easier to identify trends and areas of service degradation caused by interference, for example.

• •

if tests need to be carried out less frequently (making a permanent installation not cost-effective)

when using commercial trains (so equipment cannot be permanently installed)

when tests must be conducted in multiple locations within a short space of time (so a test train is less practical)

In each case, it is important that the drive test system is designed to match the correct type of radio, scanner, power source, antenna connections, physical and other system requirements necessary to meet the specific type of test(s) required.

What Next? If you have found this article useful, please contact shelley. robertson@comtestwireless.eu.

Communications Technology

One Size Drive Test Does Not Fit All

Testing & Monitoring ETCS Level 2 Operations with Comtest Wireless How to save time and money with Comtest Wireless NetProbe Combined rail telecoms and signalling network performance monitoring.

DAMM frequency sharing functionality With the frequency sharing functionality in the DAMM Outdoor Base Station BS422 it becomes possible to…

Improve spectrum efficiency Frequency sharing allows adjacent BS422s to use the same frequencies. This is a significant benefit in low density networks and gives the possibility to cover for example a railway line with just two frequency pairs.

Simplify repeater systems With frequency sharing an indoor repeater system can be built without optical fibres. The same hardware can be used as base station and repeater unit, increasing redundancy and simplifying the network architecture by having one unified network management system and reduced spare part stock.

Obtain base station geo-redundancy With the BS422, network availability can be brought to a new level. Two BS422s located at two sites can act as one fully redundant base station, sharing the same frequencies. This will add redundancy not only to the base station, but also to the whole antenna system.

DAMM Cellular Systems A/S Møllegade 68 6400 Sønderborg Denmark

Phone: +45 7442 3500 Email: sales@damm.dk www.dammcellular.com

Join us in Madrid 30 Nov. - 2 Dec. 2021 to learn more

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Interoperability: A Key Focus Point in Rail

ndia has one of the largest numbers of commuters in the world, putting enormous pressure on the public transport system.

It also puts pressure on the ability to allow different networks, technologies and systems to

communicate seamlessly to ensure uninterrupted service and maximum safety. A key focus point in DAMM India’s rail solutions is therefore interoperability.

scenario is to maintain seamless communication without any limitations, including when operating different technologies or networks.

Different Interoperability Scenarios, Same Goal

Interoperability can be relevant when:

The goal in any interoperability

•

Migrating from one technology to another

Running different technologies in one or multiple networks

•

Needing to communicate with other networks

Bridging: Network Migration or Extension In the rail industry, the need for interoperability would normally arise when you either need to integrate other technologies or when you need to upgrade and expand your network.

From Analogue to Digital Integration of or moving from analogue to digital is the simplest operation. Both scenarios can be solved using a radio bridge such as DAMM TetraFlex Group Bridge, which enables voice communication, simple messaging and basic interoperability between an analogue network and a digital network like TETRA or DMR Tier III. This way an analogue network can be integrated or gradually downscaled and moved to digital with the network running continuously.

Digital to Digital A rail operator may also wish to only upgrade the radio communication equipment on one site. However, this can in some cases be a costly affair as a radio communication provider may require all sites to be upgraded instead of just one. In this case, a digital to digital (TETRA) bridging solution like the DAMM TetraFlex Network Bridge would be a cost-efficient solution as

it allows you to create an extension to an existing TETRA network with both individual and group functionalities. Click here for a short illustrative video about the Network Bridge.

Benefits of Bridging Bridging solutions are very simple to make, they reduce the complexity of your network and they are cost-efficient – in other words they address the needs of the customers. Despite the reduced complexity they have a very comprehensive feature set and provide an easy way of expanding coverage. Users roaming between bridged networks will not notice any difference, as the interfaces and functionalities will remain the same.

Direct Connection A similar interoperability can be achieved using an inter-system interface (ISI). Developed to the ETSI standard, the DAMM TetraFlex Inter-System Interface enables communication between two TETRA networks. This solution is ideal for cross-border communication, for instance if you are running multiple networks around the world. With a fully IP-based ISI, you can have one dispatcher communicating to all those networks while each network retains its independence.

Benefits of Direct Connections An important benefit of an ISI is that the implicated networks retain their sovereign rights. They are

simply collaborating with other networks and only share selected data and information. In addition, ISI is a future-proof solution that enables the customer to connect whenever and to whatever they want to. As radio communication providers we do not want to tell our customers what to do, e.g. if or when they should change to broadband. We just want to give them the ability to change whenever they want to change and provide the right technology and tool to enable them to do so.

Bridging to Broadband To bridge from TETRA/DMR to broadband, there are two options using DAMM equipment: One is the DAMM MultiTech platform, which enables seamless connection to broadband users to allow interaction with TETRA, DMR and analogue subscribers. DAMM’s MultiTech platform is designed as one unified switching platform – with all switching done internally, eliminating the need for gateways. Thanks to this design, subscribers can collaborate with each other regardless of the standard used. Another is the Inter-Working Function (IWF). This is the gateway/ the interconnection towards 3GPP mission-critical PTT/MCx and is a really important building block for future-proofing your system.

DAMM India – Optimising Radio Communication for Rail Earlier this year DAMM Cellular

Communications Technology

•

Systems and Consort Digital joined forces in a joint venture, DAMM India, to deliver costefficient infrastructure through a combination of power-efficient, low-maintenance base stations, tailored solutions and professional services ranging from design and engineering studies to installation, integration, operation and maintenance. Apart from the interoperability solutions described above, DAMM India also supports FRMCS features.

FRMCS – Digitalising Rail Transport FRMCS – Future Railway Mobile Communication System – is the successor of GSM-R and a key to digitalising rail transport. As the future worldwide telecommunication system for rail, it is key to sustaining

interoperability in the future. And the future is already here. Consort Digital’s CONSORT MCX ONE Train Radio Solution supports key FRMCS features over existing TETRA as well as 4G/LTE networks. The solution is configured as a single, standardised hardware platform that supports multiple configurations: TETRA (voice and data), TETRA (voice) + LTE (data), or LTE (MCX for voice and broadband data services). As such, the CONSORT MCX ONE solution extends the use of features defined in FRMCS and other features to both an existing DAMM TetraFlex solution as well as an MCX solution deployed over a 4G/LTE network. This allows for interworking and ease of migration / co-existence of a narrowband mission-critical network with a broadband network for a rail organisation.

About DAMM India DAMM Cellular Systems and Consort Digital have collaborated on providing the radio communication infrastructure for a number of new rail networks over the years. With several big projects, including Pune and Nagpur Metro and Western Railway successfully completed, the two companies earlier this year established a joint venture to concentrate their efforts on the Indian rail market even more. www.dammcellular.com

Optimize Rail Communications

On the Move Rajant Kinetic Mesh® Brings Operator Control No Matter Where Your Assets Travel Reliable, fully mobile networks are essential for supporting real-time vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications and in-transit mobile connectivity for dynamic and ever-moving railroads. Only Kinetic Mesh delivers: Continuous ‘Never Break’ Communications Our mobile network maintains hundreds of data connections, enabling CBTC and V2V communications between railcars and command centers.

High-Bandwidth Connectivity for Superior Control Robust, high-bandwidth connectivity allows the instant access of data on equipment health, speed, location, freight status, and more.

Increased Safety & Improved Passenger Experience Powerful connectivity supports safety applications like positive train control and onboard CCTV, as well as customer Wi-Fi accessibility.

Discover Reliable Rail Connectivity CASE STUDY

Rajant’s Kinetic Mesh® Technology Boosts Speed The Solution and Efficiency for Class l TESSCO, one of the railroad’s partners, learned of the Railroad’s challenge Intermodal Railyard the railroad was facing, and referred the

CASE STUDY

We had to have backhaul capability and capacity injection capability at multiple sites without building a whole lot of infrastructure to support that, which isn’t

railroad to one of its own partners, Future Technologies, a wireless integrator providing turnkey installs for specialized projects. Future Technologies began to examine options

Freight railyards are dynamic in for a a better wirelessenvironment solution to accommodate the new equipmentpeople and software. which all assets—cargo, and vehicles—are yard needed high availability, so that sent UDP packet constantly on theThe move.

Company Proﬁle

railyard operation spanningWi-Fi solutions. • Class I intermodal possible with traditional approximately 118 acres

— David Rumore streams are always received, to ensure the current method Operating a variety of vehicles and equipment Executive President, For this complicated operation toequipment run smoothly reliable including 30 hostlers and 9Vice reach stackers Future Technologies of tracking andrequires containers as well as the new access to real-time data, butmanagement the rugged environment of an intermodal stack application can function properly. If a Solution Components railyard makes constant connectivity a diffi goalwill to achieve. packet is missed, thecult system not record the location of a

• •

container, and yard disrupt the entire process. Rajant Kinetic Mesh® private wireless When a Class I railroad’s intermodal decided to purchase network consisting of the following additional heavy equipment to help increasespecifi speedc and efficiency,Future Knowing the railyard’s requirements, BreadCrumb® nodes: making. The network can be redeployed in multiple ways management quickly realized their basic Wi-Fi solution was no longer Kinetic Technologies recommended Rajant Corporation’s - 4 LX5s as and access points simply easily by repositioning the nodes. robust enough. VehicleMesh® locations, the dynamic of wireless stacked network that has wireless network, nature a type of - 2 LX5s and 2 ME4s installed on rubber-tired containers, and trains coming in and out deployed of the yardinmeant the yard Thecranes Results been successfully other harsh environments gantry needed higher availability the Wi-Fi could er. The railyard suchthan as ports, oil and gas,off mining and military operations. - 10 The ME4scomplete installed on reach stackers installation is still ongoing, as delivery of the needed a new solution. - 3030-ton JR2s installed hostlers andbut other cranes on was delayed, the existing network is In a Kinetic Mesh network, there is no static infrastructure; yard vehicles already exceeding railyard personnel’s expectations. each radio, or node, serves as singular infrastructure, which The Challenge enables all devices and the network itself to be mobile—a Kinetic Mesh meshing Partner (KMP) “Proper and make-before-break are missionOne of the railyard’s goals wascomponent to improvefor container movement efficiency, critical a railyard, where people, devices, critical,” Purintun said. “This is the only radio that makes Future Technologies: wireless integrator so containers only required oneand to two moves, versus five to six. this The vehicles equipment are constantly on With the move. and maintains connections specializing in the multiple assessment, planning, to access points and reduction, the yard would increase efficiency, lessen wear and tear and on the network employs multiple radio frequencies any-nodeotherimplementation, subscribers toand make split-second decisions on packet design, support of moving vehicles, reduce lane blockages and congestion,and speed up to-any-node capabilities to continuously and instantly innovative communications solutions. flow. Additionally, the number of mobile vehicles that were the truck-to-stack, stack-to-truck, train-to-stack stack-to-train times. transmit data in real time and via the best available traffic path outfitted with these radios will expand the network capability, and frequency. Outcome and Impact not impede it, which is important because the number of To meet that goal, the railroad planned to purchase two 30-ton overhead access point locations had to be so few.” cranes and install themBecause in the center to speed containerthus no thereofisthe no yard central controlup node—and Improved speed and efficiency and movement. The railyardsingle also explored the implementation of aautomatically, stack point of failure—routes are built and are streamlined stack management Applications being developed for the railyard include the management application to track for contents theperformance container stack evaluated qualityofand withand every received Increased reliability with system fully redundant, low stack management and yard management software. manage cranes, vehicles, andIf devices. andcontainers sent packet. a certain path becomes unavailable for latency network with no management single point of failure The upgraded yard system will be a total yard reason—due to a vehicle moving out of coverage, or an Enables real-time, view of from completion. These solution and isend-to-end three to five years In addition to Wi-Fi, theany intermodal yard utilized vehicle-mount computers that vehicle moves in and obstructslocations, coverage, for example— intermodal for timely analysis and systemsoperations will organize all movement based on location data, and two-way radios to object determine and personnel but onthe thenew network an alternate route to deliver data. decision-making using the most logical routes for the highest efficiency. Some this was not enough tonodes support stackuse management application. Provides to support future of the railyard vehiclesability will have tablets inside them to enable even Site constraints meant This access points betoinstalled there allows thecouldn’t network adapt toand node location, local applications including yard management speedier information transfer. wasn’t any logical placeinterference to put additional towers. Thedynamically, yard neededeliminating a and congestion software and stack management system different type of network. downtime even in the most rugged conditions. All After the large cranes are delivered, the rest of the network infrastructure components transmit and receive real-time will be deployed—in plenty of time for the railyard to Rajant Case Study: Classinformation, l Railroad Intermodal Railyard enabling an end-to-end view of intermodal 1 streamline container movement and |meet its improved operations and allowing timely analysis and decisionspeed and efficiency goals before the busy holiday season.

•

• • • •

Tel: 484.595.0233 | www.rajant.com Tel: 484.595.0233 | www.rajant.com BreadCrumb, CacheCrumb, InstaMesh, Kinetic Mesh, and BC|Commander and their stylized logos are the trademarks of Rajant Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © Copyright 2019. Rajant Corporation. All rights reserved.

If it’s moving, it’s Rajant.

Industrial Wireless Networks Unleashed.

Download our “Kinetic Mesh Boosts Speed & Efficiency for Intermodal Railyard” case study at rajant.com/railway-news

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Syntony GNSS

Solution for Positive Train Control (PTC) at Milwaukee Thanks to Underground GPS Signals Thick station canopies often block GPS signals, depriving trains and users of navigation, speed and timing information

ositive train control (PTC) regulation is led by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the agency within the Department of Transportation responsible for overseeing and regulating the railway sector in the USA.

Such a framework has been created for avoiding collision of trains, over-speed derailments, incursions into established work zones (including railway tunnels and stations), and movements of trains through switches (points) left in the wrong position. However, the reception of GPS signals into GPS-denied areas (undergrounds, tunnels, train

stations, highly urban areas, etc.) can be a blocker for PTC, which requires reliable GPS signals to obtain precise information on train location and speed as well as on time. Thus, the lack of GPS signals in these areas has been so far meant that the rail industry has felt it was impossible to fully embrace such a legal framework, causing it to

In response to that, Syntony GNSS and CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY are now equipping the Milwaukee (WI) train station with SubWAVE™ technology, leading to the deployment of GPS signals in GPSdenied areas. Thanks to such a system, each GPSdenied area can now be covered with GPS signals with the exact same parameters as those outside.

Since GNSS is the universal standard of location technologies, third parties can benefit from the coverage as well. Therefore, emergencies can be located with precision, and rescue forces can optimise their response time by knowing the exact location of incidents, and even use navigation services to get there by the shortest route. Watch the video demonstration of the seamless GPS coverage

transition when entering a SubWAVE™-equipped road tunnel in Stockholm, Sweden, using a common navigation app on a standard smartphone.

*GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System (like GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, etc.). Those satellite systems, or constellations, provide positioning, navigation, and timing information (PNT) for users all around the globe, and most location services are based on their signals.

This first case study will be followed by other train stations in the USA in order to continuously help the railway sector to be compatible and responsive regarding the positive train control framework.

About SubWAVE™ SubWAVE™ is a GNSS* simulator operating in real-time, which uses existing telecom infrastructures to broadcast synthetic GNSS signals This GNSS coverage extension provides a seamless transition for receivers coming in or out of equipped tunnels, ensuring a GNSS coverage extension to every GNSSbased service (location, navigation, time synchronisation, etc.).

Follow Syntony

contact@syntony.fr +33 (0)5 81 31 99 19 For more information, you can visit solutions.syntony-gnss. com/gps-coverage-extension-rail or scan the QR code. The SubWAVE™ GNSS simulator can be plugged into the telecom network to provide GPS coverage extension

Communications Technology

expose itself to potential fines and increased operating costs from temporary fixes.

Computers & Sensors

Directory < Data & Information

Railroad Company Optimises Safety with On-Board Computer Upgrade from Sintrones

hen looking to upgrade the hardware platform for its high-rail (road-rail) limits compliance system, an American freight railroad company turned to in-vehicle computing specialist Sintrones.

After an incident between a roadrail vehicle and a moving train highlighted the weaknesses of its existing high-rail limits compliance system, one American freight railroad company knew it was imperative that it upgrade its existing solution. This was because the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety’s railroad accident report

declared that a contributing factor to the incident, in which thankfully nobody was harmed, was the incorrect use of the high-rail limits compliance system.

“Their older units had limited functionality and were lacking many of the latest features now available on the market. This enabled the high-rail limits compliance system to be turned off, which

was a contributing factor to the accident,” says Alan Yao, Managing Director of the Sintrones Technology Corp. “The incident brought to their attention the new generation of technology available to them, and the benefits it could bring in terms of safety, but also above and beyond.”

Upgrading High-Rail Vehicle Hardware With the new solution, the rail company was looking to ensure it had a reliable authority limiter that could not be disabled by users and would guarantee that vehicles could only travel where they were safely authorised to do so. This required a bespoke computing solution that would seamlessly integrate with the company’s existing software and equipment, consolidating into a single hardware platform that would meet its specific needs.

With years of engineering and product design experience behind it, Sintrones is renowned for its ability to provide computing systems that meet customers’ bespoke technical requirements, and this piqued the railroad company’s interest. Upon discussing the organisation’s needs, it was clear Sintrones could provide a solution that was the perfect fit for its desired feature sets. This took the form of the ABOX-5210 fanless box computer. Sintrones’s ABOX-5210 offered the American freight railroad company:

•

A BAT-5200 internal systemlevel back-up battery, which enables the computer to keep running for approximately 10 minutes after losing an external power source

•

Power input voltage surge protection and wide power voltage input (12V~48V DC input accepted) to protect from unstable vehicle power sources

•

A rugged housing and fanless design, with an extended wide temp operating range of 40–70°C

•

Nvidia GPU AI graphics assistance for high-resolution rail tie surface inspection and image catching

•

CAN bus for getting road-rail truck engine MCU data – such as engine condition, braking and milage information

•

GPS with real-time kinematic accuracy of up to one centimetre-level positioning

•

Dual cellular (AT&T & Verizon) capability to support AT&T FirstNet and band 14 communications

•

Wireless radio connectivity

•

Power over ethernet (PoE) ports for camera and motion sensors, in addition to laser gun speed detectors

CAB bus for CAN-2-ADR data for location data when GPS is unavailable

•

A number of digital input/ output ports for signal

detection and digital on/off control for equipment •

Automatic turn on and running with truck ignition sense, without the need for track inspector to manually turn on

“The engineers were really happy to find a solution that had the specifications they needed and fit so well into what they were looking for. As they could get what they needed ‘off-the-shelf’ as such, integrating the new hardware was much quicker than they expected,” says Yao. “They were also very impressed with our communication. We took the time to understand their field requirements and explain how the technology we provided could help

them achieve their goals. Through our discussions they’re able to make the most of the technology they now have, and benefit from its features fully.” To date the company has purchased 100 of Sintrones’s ABOX-5210 fanless

box computers, with plans for more orders in the future. To find out more about Sintrones and how its customised solutions could meet your rail needs, please visit https://www.sintroncorp.com or email sales@sintroncorp.com.

Get Control of Train Waste Tanks  Measures From the Outside  Quick and Easy Installation  Simple to Integrate with Control Systems  Proven Measurement Technique  Reliable  With Bluetooth Interface

– Nothing on the Inside of the Tank! Gobius Sensor Technology AB, Halmstad, Sweden info@gobiuspro.com

gobiuspro.com

Computers & Sensors

Directory < Data & Information

A Breakthrough in Tank Monitoring

he idea of Gobius Sensor Technology was born at a party 12 years ago when Anders Meiton, an entrepreneur and sailor, tapped his dinner partner’s glass before preparing to make a speech. The distinct sound made by the two glasses – one full and one almost empty – occupied Meiton’s thoughts for the better part of the evening. The next day, a light bulb went off in Meiton’s head:

“If vibrations in liquid create different sounds, is it possible to measure the liquid levels in tanks by using just sounds and vibrations?” Meiton’s mind raced to the matter of waste tanks due to his vast experience of travelling the seas.

“As a sailor, I know that many boats have problems with toilets. They either do not work, or the waste tank is full,” he says. Since the 1960s, leisure boats have had toilets on board with waste tanks, but without a reliable method to gauge liquid levels. The only available technology involved measuring liquid from inside the tank. This required boat owners

to drill holes and mount sensors inside the tank, which often resulted in leakage of aggressive liquids and gases. A little over a decade ago, Meiton made strategic investments, and Gobius was born. Since then, Gobius has sold close over 100,000 sensors. The success is a validation of Gobius’s first-of-akind measuring technology that uniquely measures liquid waste from outside the tank.

Turning the Tank Monitoring Process Inside Out The patented technology is based on vibrations in the tank wall to measure the liquid level in the tank. A Gobius sensor exerts

force on to a tank or container wall, causing it to vibrate for a second. The heart of the sensor is a so-called exciter, which can be compared to a loudspeaker without a membrane that creates vibrations when fed with electrical impulses. The vibrations are transmitted to the tank wall, which starts oscillating. An accelerator registers how the vibrations change when the tank is full. Once the accelerometer measures the vibrations and transmits the signal

to the digital signal processor, the processor’s algorithms calculate a vibration value each time Gobius performs a measurement. Taking the technology a step further has resulted in Gobius Pro, the latest product from Gobius. Compatible with iOS and Android phones, the Gobius Pro is controlled through an app that allows the users to setup and visualise the level. In addition, the new sensor has two digital outputs. This way,

the sensor can integrate with the control systems. Most of all, Gobius technology solves the longstanding problem of overfilled waste tanks, in a smart and simple way.

The Journey that Led to Gobius Soon after the party where Meiton conceived the possibility of measuring waste tanks from the outside, the entrepreneur had to convince technologists and boat owners of his novel idea.

“For over 50 years, boat companies have designed water level indicators to measure water tanks from the inside. Suddenly, this Swedish guy comes along and says, ‘we can do it from the outside’. Naturally, the market did not welcome me,” recounts Meiton, who admittedly assumed a humble attitude throughout the journey when Gobius faced difficult times. Despite the differences in the materials and dimensions of the tanks, Gobius used the same sensor to measure all types of water, fuel, and waste tanks. As the years progressed, Meiton took a careful approach to examine the various types of tanks, their materials, their dimensions, and the reaction of certain types of tanks with assorted liquids/chemicals.

“We had the vision to become the de-facto solution provider for waste tank monitoring,” he adds.

Trusted by the Biggest Boat Manufacturers Meiton has successfully fulfilled his vision. Today, Gobius’s tank gauges function on all types of materials – metal, plastic, stainless steel, or

aluminium – and can measure all kind of fluids. You can find Gobius tank gauges across most European yacht brands. Gobius is now installing in production of new leisure boats, like Bavaria Yachts, Beneteau Yachts, Elan Yachts, Hanse Group Yachts and most of the Scandinavian Boats, Arcona Yachts, Arcona Yachts, Axopar Yachts, Hallberg-Rassy Yachts, Najad Yachts, and X-Yachts.

Making an Impact in Rail Transport Gobius’s presence is not restricted to the marine industry. The company recently won the trust of Alstom in England, and Sweden is now an active user of Gobius products. As revealed by Meiton, Alstom’s trains were previously using old technologies with outdated indicators that stopped working within a few years of installation. For years, the crew aboard Alstom’s trains “had no clue” if their holding tanks were filled to capacity or not, leading to guesswork and excessive maintenance work. All that changed when Alstom adopted Gobius technology. In the near future, Meiton expects more engagement in the rail transport sector.

“Each train has an average of 7 to 10 toilets, and each toilet has its own waste holding tank. Now, with the Gobius app on a smart phone, they can check (from the outside train) that the tanks are empty before the train leaves the depot. As well as during the train journey know reliably that the tank is not full. Since most trains still utilise legacy technologies, this is an industry we can definitely impact,” stresses Meiton.

The interesting aspect of Gobius is its unwillingness to predict the future. While using a fishing analogy, Meiton mentions that “the entire planet is our market” and Gobius does not go fishing while anticipating specific results. Little wonder why Meiton named the company Gobius, the Latin name for the Black Goby fish. A small fish often rests at the bottom of the sea, lurking for prey, akin to Gobius “waiting for the tank to be filled”. Gobius is ready to take the next step in its evolution. Having grown at an impressive annual rate of 50

percent, it will continue to keep tabs on the latest sensor technology, processors and regularly update its product suite. This year Gobius is focused on integration capabilities. While its products are already easy to connect to control systems, relays, lamps, and buzzers, Gobius wants its sensors to connect with other systems.

“Our sensors must talk to technologies besides Bluetooth. That is why we are this year focused on IoT and technology integrations,” reveals Meiton.

Directory < Data & Information

Televic GSP

Delivering the rail communication technology of tomorrow.

Passenger Comfort Monitoring with COSAMIRA Technology

s the world’s population emerges from the COVID crisis, it is clear that demand for rail travel is growing, and industry experts even suggest that passenger numbers could grow by 18% compared to pre-pandemic

levels. This trend is fuelled by the fact that societies around the globe are increasingly recognising the benefits of rail over aviation. The recent reintroduction of sleeper trains, particularly in the

EU, proves that people are keen to travel this way – but only if the rail service is competitively priced, safe and comfortable. As a result, managing passenger comfort is becoming crucial to ensuring customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Even though increasing numbers of business and leisure travellers are turning to rail, the key to retaining them as customers lies in guaranteeing an experience that matches their expectations. From the initial ticket purchase in the station to the railcar, the rail industry needs to offer experiences that make passengers eager to return again and again – particularly now that their experiences can be accurately measured and reported on. Today, the industry has unprecedented opportunities to comprehensively monitor the comfort of its passengers’ experience.

Fifty Years of Passenger Comfort Research Back in the 1970s, academic researchers Osborne and Clark from the University of Swansea in Wales began establishing systems that measure passenger comfort and tried to obtain assessment results using questionnaires and surveys. Their research focused on how best to obtain quantitative assessment data from a survey, leading them to study the best methodologies for assessing passenger comfort in two areas. The first area concerns aspects of the transportation system itself, such as ride, carriage and organisational comfort. The second area has to do with behavioural aspects. Their research offered them a new understanding of passenger comfort, a definition of the concept of comfort, and insights into its relationship with passengers’ other travel experiences and complementary factors that

influence comfort: temperature, ventilation, illumination, photic stimulation, pressure changes, travel length and task impairment.

Computers & Sensors

Why Is the Passenger Experience So Important?

Today: Digital Reigns Supreme Today, systems rely on recorded digital measurements in addition to surveys; they enable a broader quantifiable data set that can show baselines figures, changes and trends. Beginning with the bogie we can now monitor and report on all aspects of bogie dynamics, from the quality of the track to the movement of the car body – as well as noise, vibration and harshness measurements, which indicate the reality of the journey. Within the carriage, we can accurately and continuously monitor factors such as air temperature, humidity, internal noise volumes and general ride quality.

More Integrated Data Means Richer Passenger Experience Insights Individual passenger perceptions are, of course, an important element of the overall picture. However, usable digital data is the key to ensuring high standards and continuous improvement. One example of creative thinking in this area is the work that Televic GSP is doing in partnership with a European train operator that is blending multiple sets of data covering track bogie and carriage interior information with customer feedback to understand actual and experienced passenger comfort levels across the entire journey. They are also observing how this changes according to time of day, season and train type.

The Televic COSAMIRA system is now available as a retrofitted solution that enables multiple data assets to be combined and data rules applied, for a cross-spectrum analysis of factors that interact to influence customer satisfaction. It maps out the exposure to shocks and vibrations, providing an objective tool to measure and improve the passenger comfort on your fleet. The data can be used to actively move the car bodies in lateral direction (active lateral suspension), reducing shocks and discomfort. Looking for the Right Partner? Televic GSP has over twentyfive years of experience in the design and production of bogie-mounted control and monitoring systems. The latest COSAMIRA technology provides a complete integrated solution for condition-based maintenance on all types of trains encompassing sensors, hardware, analytical software and dashboards. Certified to SIL2 standard if required, the Televic COSAMIRA platform provides the proven solution. Don’t hesitate to contact us for any questions.

www.televic-rail.com/en/mechatronics Email: rail@televic.com Tel.: +32 51 30 30 45

For a safer, highly-efficient and cost-effective fleet COSAMIRA:

your 360° bogie control and monitoring system Reduce maintenance costs through early detection of likely failure with predictive analytics Improve reliability by monitoring the real-time operational condition of your trains and tracks Maximize passenger experience by measuring passenger comfort, tilting and active radial steering

Today, over 60,000 vehicles are equipped with Televic GSP solutions. For more than 30 years, we’ve been a leading and trusted partner for railway operators and trains builders all over the world.

Get in touch at www.televic-rail.com

We are on the same track

150

years of experience

1000 top tier experts

100

different types of rolling stock

1500

different components

From Smart Maintenance to SmartCare Business VR FleetCare is a maintenance service provider and a partner in responsible lifecycle management. We improve the competitiveness of our customers by combining innovative technology and strong rail traffic expertise into one customer-oriented service. The best rolling stock expertise in the industry at your service – get familiar with our services. www.vrfleetcare.com

ModernCare

SmartCare

AssetCare

ComponentCare

400

rolling stock units under condition monitoring

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VR FleetCare

Data and Maintenance of Rolling Stock – How to Get the Most Out of the Combination

igitalisation is strongly making its way to the maintenance of rolling stock and railway infrastructure. Amidst all the hype, it is worth remembering that

collecting data is only one part, the essential thing is to understand how to use it.

data analytics for several years. The company has an in-house data analysis team and platform for processing data.

The Finnish rolling stock maintenance company VR FleetCare has been investing in the use of

“In practice, we collect data using a variety of IoT measuring

devices, analyse the data and use it for developing rolling stockrelated maintenance work,” say VR FleetCare data scientists Curtis Wood and Otto Sormunen. Data can be used to obtain operational impacts, such as the optimisation of maintenance intervals, and changes relating to the actual process. As an example, Wood cites the measuring device located at the entrance route of the Helsinki depot, which VR FleetCare began to use, among other types of data collection, for measuring the wheel profiles of the InterCity trains passing by.

“The lifecycle of a wheelset is approximately 10 years, and it is re-profiled at regular intervals. Between lathings, the wheel profile wears, which affects the safety and usability of the rolling stock, among other things. Especially if the wear is uneven. “We collected millions of lines of data to analyse during the twoyear pilot. Based on the data, we developed the most suitable wheel profile for InterCity trains running on the Finnish railway network. We were also able to specify the optimum interval for the reprofiling,” says Wood, explaining the results. The new wheel profile made it possible to concretely improve the safety and reliability of the rolling stock, which will result in significant

cost-savings for rolling stock owners and operators.

“It is easier to make decisions about process changes when you have data to support you,” Wood emphasises.

From Reactive towards Proactive Measures In 2019, VR FleetCare took a major leap in rolling stock maintenance when it, together with EKEElectronics introduced a service that predicts the maintenance needs of bogies. The technical solution was innovative even on a global scale. The forecast is based on the collected data and its analysis. For example, in an ideal world, bogierelated faults can be identified months in advance. It is easy to understand its impacts on costs and the smoothness of on-time traffic. Data can be used in a variety of mantenance work. VR FleetCare’s SmartCare service portfolio includes a train scanner for inspecting large rolling stock volumes and digital services for the condition monitoring of track circuits, among other services.

“In addition to IoT equipment, data can also be collected in an analog way. For example, we implemented a project in which mechanics measured the wear and

In an ideal world, bogie failure can be foreseen months in advance 61

tear of brake pads. Based on the data, we could specify simulation models of wear and tear and assist experts in deciding on the correct maintenance intervals,” Sormunen says. VR FleetCare uses modern platforms and systems – the whole package from data collection and integration to calculation, analysis and visualisation.

“We have the capability to integrate different data sources to an AWS database in the cloud, making it possible to collect all relevant rolling stock-related data in a single system. This allows us to combine and enrich data, which facilitates more extensive analyses,” Sormunen says. “In addition, we can generate automatic reports and alerts of observed deviations from the system,” Wood adds.

Data and Industry Expertise Provide a Competitive Edge Data analytics is often outsourced to a consulting firm that understands numbers, but their professional skill lacks expertise in the customer’s sector. The inhouse data team is an absolute competitive asset for VR FleetCare as the data scientists are familiar with the railway sector and can thereby provide higher-quality and more diverse analyses, especially in support of development work.

“When a rolling stock engineer and a data scientist practically sit at the same table, data exchange and co-operation are seamless. I find it important to also get to see the operations at the depot. It helps to

Condition Monitoring & Inspection

Collected data is used for developing maintenance systems

Data can and should be utilised in the maintenance of rolling stock

understand the whole as well as the important details,” Wood stresses. Both data scientists emphasise the importance of the role of data in the future of rail traffic maintenance. The full potential of data has not yet been realised. “Early on, the cases were relatively easy, but we are continuously reaching deeper and more complicated cases. The kind that cannot even be done without advanced algorithms such as machine learning. It will create completely new dimensions for maintenance in rail traffic,” Wood says. “The development of IoT technology has made the use of

data increasingly profitable in terms of costs as well,” Sormunen says. The main lesson learned from investing in data analytics has been that data can and should be utilised in the maintenance of rolling stock. However, digitalisation is not replacing expertise – quite the opposite. With the help of data, VR FleetCare professionals have developed rolling stock maintenance programmes and improved the predictability of maintenance needs and the optimisation of work. Read more about VR FleetCare’s SmartCare services: vrfleetcare.com

Benefits of having data scientists in maintenance: 1. Safer rail traffic Analysing data helps to observe sudden and undesired faults in advance 2. Lower lifecycle management costs Maintenance interval based on actual condition, up to several dozen percent longer maintenance intervals 3. Improved usability and reliability of rolling stock Deviations are observed in time and they can be reacted to before they cause major harm 4. Increased efficiency of planning and maintenance Better demand forecasting and algorithm-based allocation and optimisation of different resources

Sami Kalevirta Head of Digital Service

Miro Leppäkoski Sales Manager, SmartCare

+358 408663815

+358 445130391

sami.kalevirta@vr.fi

miro.leppakoski@vr.fi

Directory < Data & Information

Harnessing Technology to Prepare for Winter Y ear-on-year as winter approaches, the rail industry braces itself for months of timetable disruptions and impacts across the network.

It has long been an annual occurrence that seasonal changes such as leaves on the line and ice on the platform disrupt daily rail life; however as technological advancements are made, so too are opportunities that the industry can take advantage of and tackle these age-old issues head on.

Winter Changes across the Network

The seasonal changes that winter brings can wreak havoc across the country. As defined by Network Rail, each weather change can have a significant knock-on effect across the UK, including: •

Wind: With millions of trees lining the rail, high winds can cause branches and trees to fall onto the track, damaging the overhead wires that power electric trains and blocking the railway. High winds also mean

that objects from further away can be blown onto the tracks.

•

Rain: In very wet conditions, trains must brake and accelerate more slowly to keep everyone safe, adding time to journeys. Prolonged, heavy rain can also cause flooding and landslips, which mean trains can’t run until lines are cleared and repaired.

•

Snow and Ice: In very cold weather, snow and ice can build up on the tracks and block points, the equipment that allows trains to move between tracks. Ice can coat

Condition Monitoring & Inspection

the electrified third rail and overhead power cables, preventing trains from drawing the power they need to run and leave them stranded. Icicles on tunnels, bridges and other structures can also damage trains and overhead power cables. When snow lies deeper than 30cm, trains can’t run safely unless they have been fitted with snow ploughs.

Low Rail Adhesion The leaf-fall months present major issues for the rail network. In basic terms, ‘low railhead adhesion’ is caused by leaves which have fallen from lineside trees. It is so serious an issue that Network Rail has a dedicated division, the National Delivery Service, which is tasked with overseeing the contracting out of trains which can help improve overall conditions, specifically in known ‘black spots’ for poor adhesion. New innovations are currently underway to improve conditions. For example, Sheffield University engineers recently shared their work on creating dry ice pellets to tackle the issue. Trialed with Northern Trains, the engineers have created a pellet-blasting system that removes leaves more efficiently, and in turn will reduce delays. The system involves pellets of dry ice being fired in a stream of air from the train on to the rails, making leaves frozen and brittle. The dry ice then quickly turns back into gas, causing it to expand and destroy the leaves. Currently, leaves are cleared by 61 special trains that deploy high-pressure water jets followed by a gel containing sand and steel grains to assist with braking.

Technology for Good The digital railway aims to provide transportation that is efficient, safe, and seamless. It understands the challenges that seasonal changes present and uses its transformative powers to provide tools and solutions to overcome problems. This has long been an ethos of 3Squared and something that was front and centre when we created our RailSmart Adhesion Digital Solution (ADS). Developed with the support of the RSSB (Rail Safety and Standards Board) and the MET Office, the software aims to provide a digital approach to adhesion management and help operators to model, capture and disseminate accurate adhesion forecasts to help train drivers regulate trains accordingly.

impact or likelihood of severe weather The tool provides a wide range of benefits to users to radically improve operations particularly during the winter months, including route-specific forecasting of low adhesion, better train regulation, and a reduction in the likelihood of wheel flats and the impact of delays caused by low adhesion. The industry has made waves over the years through harnessing technology to develop new projects

and systems to tackle legacy issues, such as seasonal winter changes. This further serves to reinforce the transformative power that innovation holds to significantly improve the way in which we live, work and travel, and make the railways safer and more efficient. If you would be interested in finding out how RailSmart ADS can support your needs as winter approaches, book a demo with a member of the team here or email hello@3squared.com.

Tim Jones and James Fox, 3Squared

RailSmart ADS employs several features to tackle issues such as leaves on the line, including: •

Actional insight: detailed routespecific adhesion information delivered direct to drivers

•

Relevant updates: drivers can report railhead conditions directly within the ADS app, enabling near-live time reports to be disseminated across the network

•

Better train regulation: providing the right information at the right time to drivers, helping them to determine how best to regulate the train

•

Damage prevention: helping reduce wheel flats, railhead damage and other adhesionrelated defects

•

Weather warnings: national severe weather warning service provides details on the potential

3Squared Contact Details: James Fox, Commercial Director and Co-Founder of 3Squared Email: james.fox@3squared.com

Autonomous

Track Inspection Decreased derailment risk. Increased efficiency. Lower costs.

ENSCO Rail is the premier provider of autonomous inspection systems that identify defects early and improve rail network safety — at the lowest cost per inspection.

www.ensco.com/rail

Directory < Data & Information

ENSCO Rail

Keeping the Rails Moving Safely and Efficiently The railway industry is entering a new era of next-generation track defect detection and software analysis capabilities that optimise railway maintenance and renewal planning, reduce risks through earlier identification of track defects, and improve rail network safety.

Today, autonomous inspection systems provide reliable, fully autonomous inspection installed on passenger or freight cars used in revenue service. One of the most significant advantages of autonomous inspection technology is that every movement of the host train offers an opportunity to evaluate the track, allowing for more frequent inspections without track time being consumed by dedicated inspection vehicles. The ENSCO Rail Autonomous Track Geometry Measurement System (ATGMS) uses the latest fully digital, non-contact measurement technology employed by traditional manned track geometry systems. Measurements are performed every 250mm, up to the maximum speed of the vehicle, and can be performed in either direction. The ATGMS provides real-time transmission of continuous metreby-metre measurement data, as well as exception processing in accordance with the automatically determined class of track.

To remedy this, ENSCO Rail developed advanced artificial intelligence algorithms that recognise and filter out these false exceptions. The algorithms are based on human data editors from thousands of miles of actual survey data, from which the ENSCO Rail algorithms learned to edit out false exceptions for real-time reporting.

Big-Data Analytics Offers Condition Trending and Data-drive Maintenance Planning Maintenance is a necessary and significant expenditure by railway personnel. Taking a proactive approach to maintenance and asset planning can yield significant savings by reducing manual condition data analysis and unnecessary maintenance expenditures. New asset condition technology that relies on artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analysis offers the potential for significant reductions in maintenance costs every year while increasing operational capacity through accurate application of maintenance tasks.

The ENSCO Rail Automated Maintenance Advisor (AMA) automatically identifies areas of poor track performance, determines trends in track condition deterioration and translates that data into prescriptive maintenance tasks, resulting in proactive and datadriven track maintenance planning and sound, efficient maintenance decisions. Fully automated and cloudbased, the AMA is flexible and configurable to railway customer deterioration trending needs. It operates automatically, routinely assessing track condition data and recommending maintenance tasks based on a specified maintenance strategy. Asset management plans include rail grinding, rail replacement, ballast renewal, tamping and turnout maintenance requirements. Visit www.ensco.com/rail and follow us on LinkedIn to stay upto-date on the latest innovations in rail safety from ENSCO Rail. #ENSCOInnovation #ENSCOExpertise #RailSafety

More Reliable Detection through Artificial Intelligence One inherent challenge faced by traditional autonomous track measurement systems is that certain conditions or track features can mimic defects, when in fact, track conditions are normal.

Check out this short video to learn more about ENSCO Rail autonomous inspection.

Condition Monitoring & Inspection

Data Collection: Autonomous Systems Offer a Highly Efficient Solution

< Data & Information

Stimio

Enabling Predictive Maintenance and Optimised Operations Solutions for Rail

The French-based company, designs and sells connected solutions for railway maintenance, from railway-certified IoT sensors to data analysis platforms, all based on artificial intelligence.

redictive maintenance is the next big shift. For both railway operators and infrastructure managers, preventive or conditionbased maintenance programmes will not be enough to overcome

the approaching challenges facing the railway industry. Preventing failures and defining the optimal maintenance regime for infrastructure and railway

vehicles based on their life-cycle and cost will need data analytics and artificial intelligence. A higher competitiveness being the ultimate goal of the predictive maintenance, it needs to be

Condition Monitoring & Inspection

Directory

implemented with the help of trustworthy partners. SNCF, TRANSDEV, RATP and CFL among many others are already relying on Stimio’s IoT solutions. The company is developing and selling its Oxygen IoT suite, which consists of Oxygen Edge for data acquisition sensors and Oxygen Cloud, its enriched data recovery platform. This comprehensive solution frees its customers from the complexities of IoT projects (networks of ultra-low consumption sensors, telecommunications, applications developments, etc.), thus letting them focus on business data with significant added value. By combining AI and machine learning technologies, the platform predicts future behaviours and failures in order to better anticipate breakdowns and enable optimal service availability. The data collected and enriched by Stimio can be easily integrated into its customers’ information systems in order to be exploited. A recent webinar with IBM presents how the EAM, Maximo Health & Predict and Oxygen can co-operate to enhance maintenance operations – see the video below. Stimio’s solutions are already deployed for the following applications for passenger operators:

• • • • •

Level monitoring Shocks and vibrations Temperature Air pressure / compressor monitoring for HVAC systems Door status, timing, and cycles monitoring

And for railway infrastructure: • • •

Counterweight and catenary tensioning Railtrack flooding Frost prediction on overhead lines

railway-certified IoT devices – Railnode and Railnet. Finally, Stimio’s Oxygen IoT suite helps railway players to extend their assets’ lifespan and reduce on-field inspections to achieve growing environmentally friendly goals. Learn more: https://stimio.fr/en

Kevin DREILLARD Marketing Manager +33 2 40 18 50 93 www.stimio.fr

Tackling Major Railway Issues The company has been working with railway operators and infrastructure managers from day one, giving its teams a complete understanding of their challenges. Thus, Stimio delivers with state-ofthe-art, modular, customised endto-end solutions that meet these major needs. IoT solutions designed by Stimio help reduce maintenance costs for a smart and well-planned maintenance with real-time and condition-based information straight to customers’ EAM. Operational reliability and quality of service are also enhanced based on actionable insights from wireless

Key Takeaways •

• •

•

• •

A generic and modular software-driven sensor system with edge-ML capabilities to address a wide range of use cases Enriched data integration into your EAM/IT systems Embedded Oxygen SDK to develop your own application in minimum time A well-proven expertise with major infrastructure managers and rolling stock operators Oxygen Cloud combining data analytics and AI-based prediction algorithms A return-on-investment between 6 to 24 months

Customer Benefits • •

•

• •

Collect real-time data in operating conditions Easy implementation with wireless, autonomous, cable-free and nonintrusive IoT devices Increase your visibility on failures-to-come to minimise maintenance costs and improve service availability Extend your systems lifetime and reduce lifecycle costs Complement your offering to enhance value for customers

Phased Array Instrumentation For easy integration

Olympus offers a complete advanced phased array integration solution that meets the requirements of your most demanding customers. The solution includes the FOCUS PX, a powerful and scalable acquisition unit; FocusPC, a powerful data acquisition and analysis software program; and two software development kits (SDK), FocusControl and FocusData, to customize your software interface based on your application, and control FocusPC for a fully automated inspection solution.

Instrument

Software

FOCUS PX

Aerospace and Defense • Composite parts • Honeycomb-reinforced composite parts • Friction stir welds (FSW)

FocusPC, FocusControl, and FocusData

Transportation • Train wheel • Train axle

Metal Manufacturing and Fabrication • • • •

Heavy forging Plate Tube Bar

Oil and Gas • Welds (including austenitic) • Corrosion mapping

www.olympus-ims.com

Directory < Data & Information

Olympus

Non-destructive Testing for Weld Inspection – Tailored Solutions

Olympus is a global leader and supplier of advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment, specialising in innovative, turnkey solutions that offer the latest in weld inspection technology. Olympus constantly strives to provide wider solutions for carrying out non-destructive testing within the rail industry. One such example to enhance the weld inspection process combines an automated

non-destructive testing platform with a sturdy and compact cart, to create an innovative solution for large-diameter circumferential weld inspection. The challenge of large-diameter circumferential weld inspection in relation to the manufacturing of large cylindrical structures, such as for rolling stock, requires accurate end-to-end alignment prior to welding around the circumference. NDT is commonly used to scan along the circumference to detect hidden flaws, maintaining integrity

to ensure railways can continue to operate safely. Railway manufacturers and operators can use handheld or remote-controlled ultrasonic scanners to inspect large-diameter circumferential welds. However, precisely detecting discontinuities in a large cylindrical system with compounding factors such as long scanning distances, overall size, and limited access to inspection areas, pose additional challenges when tracking the weld alignment. A system that offers automated

Condition Monitoring & Inspection

scanning would enable operators to more accurately and reliably detect weld flaws.

An Automated Solution for Circumferential Inspection Olympus’ NDT solutions offer just that, in the form of an innovative weld-tracking inspection head on a sturdy mobile cart. Several types of ultrasonic probes allow the inspection head to be positioned in orientations that enable the reliable and accurate detection of weld flaws. At the same time, the cart’s inspection head is positioned against a weld in a cylindrical product that is horizontally orientated, enabling the laser camera on the head to track weld alignment while the product turns. The inspection head sends instant and continuous feedback to a horizontal actuator for a simplified inspection workflow. The actuator continuously adjusts the head left or right, in conjunction with a pneumatic cylinder that applies constant pressure to the surface, with the large-diameter circumferential weld inspection cart automatically adapting to and maintaining its position over the weld. This ensures welded joints are fit-for-purpose and meet the required levels of quality. The compact cart with large caster wheels enables operators to easily manoeuvre and lock positions for additional security. The cart contains all of the required components to inspect and analyse welds, including a watercoupling tank and pump, a FOCUS PX acquisition instrument, and a PC with WeldSight™ inspection software.

Olympus’ large-diameter circumferential weld inspection cart

Key Features of Olympus’ Large-Diameter Circumferential Weld Inspection Cart Size (application): Thickness *typically 11–32mm (0.44–1.25in); diameter: *approx. 2m minimum

Speed: Up to 178 mm/s (35 ft/min) for material thickness under 17mm (0.66in)

Coverage: 100% of butt weld with different weld bevels, such as single V, double V, and square groove, using two PA, two TOFD, and four UT probes (for transverse defects) Real-time inspection results: A-scan, B-scan, C-scan and D-scan views, as well as high-definition S-scan merged views

Typical inspection modes: Shear and longitudinal waves, pulseecho, pitch-catch, TOFD, and volume inspection

Surface temperature: Up to 40°C (104°F) Compliance: Per ASME and ISO standard requirements Report types: Inspection, calibration, and calibration-check userconfigurable reports

Storage: Real-time inspection data storage *alternative size and diameter available on request

Inspection Head Combining phased array (PA), time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD), and conventional UT technologies, the inspection head offers powerful inspection features. In addition, the inspection head can be easily combined, changed, and adjusted to suit various inspection requirements thanks to a combination of eight springloaded arms that hold two PA, two TOFD, and four UT probes. Olympus’ inspection head utilises a tracking encoder that reduces the risk of the operator losing their position along the weld. This along with a quick-release latch to detach and reattach the head facilitates optimal maintenance, manual inspection, or calibration on a reference plate.

Olympus’ inspection head

Generating Results with WeldSight™ The vast quantities of data generated during large-diameter circumferential weld inspection require a powerful software platform to manage, analyse and store data. Olympus’ WeldSight advanced weld inspection software supports large data files to enable long, uninterrupted inspections, with volumetric views for efficient analysis and a streamlined workflow. For operators conducting large-diameter weld inspection using PA and TOFD, WeldSight helps to optimise the workflow by considering repeatability requirements, code compliance and weld characteristics. With fully editable weld profiles, probes and wedges, the overall time and cost associated with weld defect detection is reduced.

< Data & Information

Worldsensing

Making Monitoring Smarter to Improve Rail Safety Trimble and Worldsensing Integration Offers Automated Wireless Monitoring Solution

he UK government report about the November 2020 Sheffield station freight train derailment makes for sober reading.

The accident, it said, had been caused by gauge widening after track screws had failed, “several weeks, or perhaps months, before the derailment, but the failures had not been identified.” Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident. However, the

derailment highlights the fact that rail track monitoring and maintenance still has a way to go as we enter the 2020s. Fortunately for the rail industry, it is now easier to deploy tools that could help to avoid accidents such as the one in Sheffield. And these tools are getting better all the time.

Condition Monitoring & Inspection

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Wireless Remote Monitoring The combined wireless monitoring systems from Trimble and Worldsensing deliver almost continuous, real-time data on critical track measurements including cant, twist and vertical alignment, but also increasingly process data so engineers can react immediately when measurements surpass user-defined thresholds. The difference between today’s monitoring methods and those of a decade or so ago is significant. Historically, track inspections were carried out by technicians who took manual measurements and recorded the condition of tracks with photos and sketches. This process was costly, timeconsuming and prone to errors. And it meant rail operators only had an incomplete picture of track conditions, making it easy for potential failures to go unnoticed. In recent years, however, wireless equipment has changed the picture considerably. Trimble and Worldsensing have pioneered the development of robust rail monitoring solutions that can be installed almost anywhere, sending sensor readings up to every few minutes to remote systems for immediate integration into the analysis software.

IoT-based Operations The deployment of IoT systems in the rail industry has mainly been a result of the need to monitor tunnels, bridges and trackside structures during the construction and operational phases. These systems operate wirelessly, eliminating the danger of data

loss through cable failure. And, when they implement low-power technology, the benefits are even stronger since they allow several years of uninterrupted operations without the need for new batteries. Given the importance of costeffectiveness in new railway projects, it no longer makes sense to rely on manual readings in most project environments. Digital railway systems are a must and wireless IoT technology can support this transformation. Such technology can be used to improve the efficiency in railway construction projects but also can be reused to improve the maintenance of its physical infrastructure. However, monitoring railway networks with wireless technology can deliver massive volumes of data, and if these are not processed in a timely fashion, there remains the potential for a fast-evolving fault to cause damage.

Surveying-based Operations Railway construction projects require the highest levels of precision combined with rugged reliability. Trimble offers precise optical solutions for surveying railway assets during construction and operation projects with its portfolio of total station and 3D laser scanning technology. Trimble systems provide rich data and precision on asset movement and conditions that affect the design, construction and maintenance of physical infrastructure in every condition. Optical technology can be automated to provide real-time data capture alongside IoT-based geotechnical solutions providing a full above- and in-ground monitoring system.

Integrated Data Processing Because of this, Trimble and Worldsensing are increasingly focusing on the automated processing and analysis of data, vastly reducing the time and cost involved in collecting and handling critical information. Take a rail tunnel that could be affected by nearby construction, for example. With IoT, monitoring the integrity of the structure might be as easy as installing Woldsensing’s Loadsensing laser-tiltmeter wireless sensor device to measure the distance and angular movement of the tunnel walls. These IoT wireless sensor devices communicate with a remote gateway using long-range, lowpower radio (called LoRa), and from there the data is fed into Trimble 4D ControlTM (T4D) real-time monitoring software for analysis and reporting. If any parameters indicate cause for concern, for example because the tunnel walls are starting to move, the system will issue an alert directly to predetermined stakeholders. This helps rail operators respond in minutes to practically invisible threats that could put lives in danger – although alerts can also be configured according to urgency, so senior decision-makers are not bothered by minor issues. In conclusion, the complex nature of today’s rail projects, combined with stricter policies around detecting movement of existing structures for safety and maintenance requires a robust, integrated, automated monitoring solution. The Trimblebranded geotechnical product line, powered by Worldsensing, along with the connected Trimble’s

surveying technology, provides a fully automated wireless monitoring solution that helps minimise field visits and increase safety. This gives the flexibility to build the most advanced wireless monitoring system to accurately monitor railway projects with the T4D software platform. By measuring millimetre-level movements and minute rotations in the track, railway operators can predict and react to emergencies before they even happen, ensuring public safety and greater visibility into site conditions.

Matt Azzopardi Sales Area Manager connect@worldsensing.com

To find out more, visit Trimble.com/geotech and Worldsensing.com.

Watch: Trimble’s Geotechnical Sensors Powered by Worldsensing

Directory < Data & Information

Equivalent Conicity – Determining One of the Most Important Safety Parameter in Railways

hat do rolling stock or infrastructure maintenance engineers have in common with vehicle developers and derailing analysists? They all put a lot of weight on the parameter of equivalent conicity. Because this parameter is so relevant to safety, calculating equivalent conicity is quite complex. A powerful tool enters the game with the CALIPRI measurement module for equivalent conicity. As unpleasant as the thought of a derailed train is, this potential thread is the driving force behind the calculation of equivalent conicity. To understand the parameter and interpret its value, there needs to be a basic understanding of how a train moves.

The Sinusoidal Motion The train moves in a sinusoidal motion due to two characteristics

of the wheel-rail interaction. First of all, the geometry of the wheel is a conical shape, although it is much more complex. As soon as the train is set in motion, this conical-like shape induces a sinusoidal motion pattern as shown in the drawing below.

of this way of moving forward becomes significant when thinking about taking a curve. Naturally one wheel – the outer wheel - will have to drive a longer distance, thus having to drive faster than the inner wheel with the shorter distance.

This motion pattern requires a track gauge that is slightly broader than the back-to-back distance of the wheelsets – otherwise there would be no space for the wheelsets to move left and right. The importance

This effect, by the way, also occurs with cars. While a car makes use of the differential to balance the rotational speed of the wheels in a curve, a train makes use of the conical shaped wheels.

Condition Monitoring & Inspection

Equivalent Conicity So, what exactly does the equivalent conicity (EC) parameter tell us? The name itself derives from the geometry of the wheel: the equivalent conicity defines to what extend the motion behaviour of a rail wheel equals a conical shape. In other words, the equivalent conicity tells us how fast the wheels are oscillating with a sinusoidal motion to the side.

between measurement systems, the key criteria stated in the norms always need to apply. Contrary to many other measurement systems on the market, the CALIPRI systems use non-linear differential equations instead of regression. Simply because this is more precise.

Calculating Equivalent Conicity

The underlying formula used in the CALIPRI measurement systems is called Klingel’s formula. It describes the frequency with which a train moves left and right. Logically, the swinging frequency should be kept to a minimum. After all, a small frequency is characterised by a steady and stable train movement. Consequently, a low equivalent conicity value is desired. A high value, on the other hand, could indicate the danger of instable movement which in worst case can lead to a derailment. Especially for trains moving at a high speed, equivalent conicity has become a crucial parameter. In practice this means that the parameter can be used to determine a critical speed of a train at any location of a track (curve or straight).

The equivalent conicity is a crucial safety parameter and therefore is calculated based on two standards, namely UIC 519 und EN 15302. While calculation methods may vary

In order to determine the equivalent conicity with the CALIPRI handheld device, key parameters of rolling stock and infrastructure need to be at hand:

As explained in our last article “The role of the rail in the wheelrail-interaction”, the touching point between wheel and rail is actually a very small point – in order to avoid too much friction and energy loss during movement. With the sinusoidal motion of the wheels, this touching point moves within a certain area of the wheels surface. Determining this touching point and its area of movement is one key statement of equivalent conicity.

• • • • • •

Wheel profile (left and right Wheel diameter Back-to-back distance of wheels Rail profile (left and right) Track geometry Rail cant

The advantage of the CALIPRI system is that the underlying data can be a combination of currently recorded measurement data, previously collected and stored measurement data or reference data. E.g. a railway engineer in a train workshop can measure all rolling stock parameters and add the standard reference data for infrastructure. The same goes the other way around. It is also possible to work with reference data only, such as vehicle developers might do for example.

Interpreting the Data Equivalent conicity is a very powerful parameter with a lot of informative value, given the person reading it is able to interpret the data. In general, it is preferable for the EC value to be small but never cross a certain lower threshold, because this again could cause a train to derail. A typical cause of an EC value that is too small would be a hollow tread of the wheel. On the other hand, minimum EC values are

required for trains running through curves. The smaller the radii of the curves the higher is the required EC value.

Contact graphs (Wheel/Rail)

But equivalent conicity is more than just a value, at least when it comes to the CALIPRI measurement system. Here the EC measurement module adds four graphs to the calculated value, giving extra data to interpret (see figure below). The upper two graphs visualise the touching points between the wheel and the rail during movement (left graph showing the left wheel, right graph showing the right wheel). The graph in the lower left corner shows the wheel diameter difference between the left and the right wheel during the sinusoidal motion. When the train stands still and centred within the track, this displacement is zero. The lower right graph puts the calculated EC value in relation to the actual amplitude of the movement within

Equivalent Conicity Wheel Diameter Difference Calculated Conicity Value at 3 mm (depending on the underlying norm)

the track. Here the x-axis defines the wheel movement within the track in millimetres and the y-axis is the associated EC value. A typical movement of the wheels within the track is 3 millimeters. At this Amplitude the according EC value in the figure below (green field) is is 0.11. Interpreting this value means: A wheel that moves about 3 millimeters left and right, equals a conical shape with an angle of tan(Gamma) = 0.11.

Conclusion Whether operators work in infrastructure, rolling stock, vehicle development or as derailing analysts, the CALIPRI measurement module ‘Equivalent Conicity’ offers highly precise results for in-depth analysis of this crucial safety parameter. e: sales@nextsense-worldwide.com p: +43 316 23 24 00 - 0 w: nextsense-worldwide.com

Video: CALIPRI C42 Equivalent Conicity

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for representative rolling stock Lasting Anti Graffiti . Shiny lacquer Glass restoration . Chewing gum removal

Trust experts for sustainable Graffiti cleaning and prevention Save costs restoring lacquer and scratched glass Brighten up platforms and waiting areas with expert removal of chewing gum

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– One Step Closer to Representative Rolling Stock

Don’t Give Graffiti a Chance! React quickly when graffiti appears. It is an important topic around rail vehicles and station areas and unfortunately it is often

unavoidable. When the selfproclaimed artists strike again and again, it pays to plan well and take precautions so that graffiti can always be removed quickly and cost-effectively. Rely on experienced professionals, especially when it comes to delicate surfaces and

materials. For years, BIOforte has successfully used very efficient protection systems and powerful yet gentle cleaning products that do not harm the environment. Take advantage of this knowledge, gladly with appropriate training of your employees.

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New Technologies in Sight

Sustainability as a Core Value

Saving material, reducing storage space, less waste – these are the issues that concern us all on our way to greater efficiency and lower costs. This is exactly where we, as experts, come in to make your everyday life easier. Our products are VOC-free, biodegradable and resource-saving; they offer lighter packaging, safe transport and much more. Step by step, our products and services are achieving further important advances from which you can benefit.

At the request of customers and because it is the company’s aim to take care of people, environment, and materials, we at BIOforte only use environmentally friendly and resource-saving products – biodegradable, and free from microplastics and VOCs. And soon a new era for graffiti cleaning products awaits us with the new tab technology. It offers the advantages of lower storage costs and less waste. And with a CO2 reduction in the entire logistics chain, the products boast the same high cleaning power as well as easier handling.

Good Preventive Care Pays Off “Good, prompt planning saves money, effort and frustration,” says Udo Mannartz, CEO and Founder, before continuing: “Exposed surfaces and valuable rolling stock can be given lasting protection even when brand new, so that, even if they do become targets for graffiti, they can be cleaned fully, quickly and efficiently without delay using appropriate, VOC-free cleaning products – and not just by cleaning experts, but by your own staff too.” This also avoids the need for costly service disruptions, logistical replanning, and other expenditures.

Common Standards Thanks to ISO Certification 9001 and 14001 With the upcoming completion of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, we continue to expand our quality standards for your benefit. With the guarantee of our systematic monitoring, measuring, analysing and evaluating of environmental performance, you can rely on BIOforte to meet your own company standards as well.

BIOforte offers you the following advantages: Specialist services in any location at a time that suits you. Rolling stock is soon ready for use again. Use of nontoxic, high-performing removal and protection products tried and tested in a wide variety of situations and approved by major railway companies. Training, advice and sales of professional products and equipment. 20 years of experience across Europe with an extensive list of references.

ONE STOP SHOP for Rail Coating Solutions © Deutsche Bahn AG, Oliver Lang

Finding the perfect coating system means combining design aspects, application properties and resistance attributes to create a unique customized solution. As an experienced partner, we help you to simplify your coating process and increase efficiency to achieve significant competitive advantages. → Tailored solutions for Interior, Exterior and Bogie Coatings → Benefit from our cross-industry experience in highly demanding markets such as Automotive, Aviation and Yacht Coatings → Global availability, local service our experts support your projects worldwide to help you fulfill technical requirements and quality standards

Mankiewicz UK LLP Unit 26, Ashville Way, Whetstone, Leicester LE8 6NU

www.mankiewicz.com

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Mankiewicz < Rolling Stock

Genuinely Clean Solutions Multi-talented paints with agents that counter graffiti and microorganisms

Paint systems are subject to increasingly stringent requirements – graffiti is one challenge the rail industry in particular has to overcome © Adobe Stock

he coronavirus pandemic has caused lots of changes and redrawn many guidelines – and that also applies to the railway industry. Manufacturers and operators of local and long-distance public transport now have to cope with manifold challenges. These include integrating hygiene concepts and reducing persistent graffiti. Hamburgbased paint manufacturer Mankiewicz has come up with solutions for both these problems.

The travel and transport industries struggled under the coronavirus pandemic. There were severe restrictions on travel, in some cases total bans, and the public tended to avoid transport such as buses and trains. In the meantime, the situation has somewhat returned to normal, but the particular demands on the bus and rail industries are higher than ever before, especially due to Covid-19. Not only does this apply to the now mandatory hygiene concepts in local and long-distance passenger transport, which have strongly come into focus for transport manufacturers and operators. But there is also a noticeable Covid effect with regards

to vandalism and graffiti, which must be tackled more effectively. For example, Deutsche Bahn has reported a 4% increase in illegal graffiti on its trains, stations and facilities in 2020 compared to 2019. In a nutshell, the conditions for the manufacturers of rail vehicles and other means of passenger transport have markedly changed since the start of the pandemic. So how can paint systems counter Covid and graffiti, as our enigmatic title suggests? Mankiewicz, paint manufacturer based in Hamburg, provides two coating solutions to solve these problems: ALEXIT Saniseries and Easy-to-Clean

systems. These coating systems address the abovementioned challenges in different ways, but they both offer efficient and effective solutions as well as various scopes of use for the rail industry.

ALEXIT Saniseries: No Chance for Microorganisms on Surfaces Millions of times a day, countless passengers touch the handgrips, armrests, backrests and many other parts, collectively known as high-touch areas. These are perfect places for bacteria and germs to collect and propagate. In order to prevent this, transport

manufacturers and operators are more than ever called upon to develop new hygiene concepts and technologies that provide persistent protection for passengers. Mankiewicz addresses this demand with its ALEXIT Saniseries: these paints contain antimicrobial agents that significantly inhibit the development of microorganisms on coated surfaces. The effectiveness of the paint system is tested according to the internationally recognised JIS Z 2801 standard (ISO 22196) and classified as “log level 4”, which means the paints achieve a 99.99% reduction in bacteria on surfaces. Particularly in these times of Covid-19, the reduction of bacteria on coated surfaces is a valuable contribution to hygiene.

Manufacturers and operators also stand to profit from the paint system and the keyword here is carefree: The ALEXIT series is extremely durable and meets the strictest FST requirements. As a water-based coating system, it is also environmentally friendly and has a long service life. In addition, it is customisable in terms of colour, effects, texture and gloss. Overall, the coating system is very easy to work with, as there are no special requirements for application. The coating system also provides an answer to the problem of odours, which is important for railway operators. In particular, the sanitary areas in trains are often a source of unpleasant odours, which are ultimately caused by bacteria. As the formation of bacteria is strongly inhibited by the antimicrobial

Train Overhaul, Maintenance & Cleaning

The easy-to-clean system ensures that graffiti can subsequently be removed with conventional cleaning products, leaving no residues or causing any damage to the paint surface © Mankiewicz

agents of ALEXIT Saniseries, the result is a reduction in odours. Over the longer term there are also benefits, because tests prove that the paint remains highly effective even after 12 years, without repainting or additional coats. In order to ensure that users have a wide variety of colours and effects to choose from when designing these high-touch areas, Mankiewicz developed the system with a basecoat and clearcoat. As a result, almost all popular colour and design effects can be implemented with paints that contain antimicrobial active ingredients. Of course, the ALEXIT range is also suitable for other areas of application in railways, examples of which are air ducts that are difficult or

almost impossible to clean, and air conditioning systems. These are all perfect applications for paints with antimicrobial active ingredients.

Anti-graffiti Systems: One Wipe and It’s Gone The removal of graffiti costs railway operators a lot of money every year. For example, Deutsche Bahn had to dig deep into its pockets in 2020, to the tune of over 12 million euros. It is not only the exterior of carriages that fall prey to “graffiti artists”. Areas of the interior, such as the toilets and power distribution boxes, are also popular for immortalisations of questionable value. To address these problems, Mankiewicz has developed highly

effective anti-graffiti solutions for the exterior and interior that protect against graffiti made with paint, lacquer, ink or a felt-tip marker. On purpose the Easy-toClean system does not prevent graffiti from being applied, but ensures it is simple to subsequently remove with commercially available graffiti cleaners, without their attacking the paint surface. For railway operators, the antigraffiti paint not only makes cleaning easier, but also offers economic advantages. Due to the simple and effective cleaning process, repainting is no longer necessary, sparing the associated downtime. This translates to enormous cost savings for operators.

ALEXIT Saniseries: the coating system contains antimicrobial agents that significantly inhibit the development of microorganisms on coated surfaces © Mankiewicz

At the same time, the antigraffiti coating systems from Mankiewicz all meet high quality standards, such as the popular national and international fire protection certifications of the European DIN EN ISO 45545-2 and the American NFPA 130. In particular, the Mankiewicz range of paints for train exteriors sets standards worldwide and is very close in quality to those used in the automotive industry. Perfect painting results are also in demand in the railway industry: manufacturers of rail vehicles are placing ever greater emphasis on a flawless appearance and greater durability – even after many years of use. As a full-service partner to the railway industry, Mankiewicz not only offers interior and exterior paints, but also systems for bogies and wheelsets. This means that manufacturers of rail vehicles can obtain all their coating systems from a single source and thus make use of synergies.

Handgrips, armrests and backrests belong to what are called high-touch areas in public transport and thus place high demands on cleanliness © Deutsche Bahn

All in all, Mankiewicz provides innovative and strong solutions to address the key challenges of the railway industry with the two coating systems described. As a specialised expert in industrial coatings, Mankiewicz can draw on decades of experience and proven know-how to meet the individual requirements of its customers.

David Lobo Managing Director david.lobo@mankiewicz-uk.com +44 (0)1162 847780 www.mankiewicz.com

Save time and money with highly efficient shot blast processes We offer a full range of shot blast solutions for the rail industry – from cleaning track to peening springs, from processing wheelsets to blasting whole carriages. Increase your capacity, improve your productivity, stabilise your process.

For more information, please contact: Wheelabrator Group SAS (Charleville) T: +33.3.24 33 63 00 or E: contact.fr@noricangroup.com

www.wheelabratorgroup.com/rail

Wheelabrator

Safety & Performance: Shot Peening for Rail

ail operators know metal fatigue is dangerous.

The disaster at Eschede, Germany, in 1998, caused by a single broken train wheel, killed over 100 passengers. And that was just one incident in a string of serious accidents due to fatigue failure since the dawn of railway travel.

To improve the fatigue performance and other characteristics of metal components, the rail industry has relied on peening for over a century. The industry has two major peening applications: first, as an anti-fatigue measure for critical parts like wheels and, second, to make springs “spring”, increase their operating life and improve their fatigue strength too.

But first: what is peening?

Peening for Performance and Safety Peening is the process of working a metal’s surface to improve its material properties. Simply hitting metal with a hammer (cold working) causes plastic

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Wheelabrator’s fully-automated Railway Wheel Peener offers fine process control, using two blast wheels that target each wheel simultaneously from both sides

deformation and induces a residual compressive stress in the peened surface. That compressive stress makes crack formation less likely and delays some types of corrosion. Peening also hardens a metal’s surface layer, further reducing the likelihood of crack formation and increasing abrasion resistance too. However, manual peening is a slow, laborious affair. Shot peening is far faster, with each spherical shot acting as a miniature ballpeen hammer. Shot is accelerated towards the workpiece surface using airblast (driven by compressed air) or wheel blast (shot is introduced into the centre of a spinning wheel and flung out by centrifugal force) technology.

Airblast, Wheel Blast, Process Control Airblast machines are more suitable for peening smaller quantities of components; manual airblast control is common but automation

is possible too. Wheel blasting is ideal for a fully automated process where blasting intensity must be set and maintained to match the desired Almen value and component coverage. There are challenges to overcome. Peening is a precise surface treatment that requires fine control to achieve the specified result – absolute accuracy and repeatability are vital. It must also be carried out quickly and cost-effectively in order to economically process high volumes of parts.

Peening in Rail: Fatigue Strength The first major rail application is fatigue treatment of critical parts like wheels and axles. Constantly turning in operation and subject to high forces, wheels and axles endure many millions of loading cycles. This causes movement within the metal (dislocation movement), leading to crack initiation and propagation. As the component approaches and exceeds a certain number of cycles

(the fatigue limit), cracks become longer and more numerous, making serious damage and failure much more likely. Peening increases these components’ fatigue strength, which allows a combination of higher loadings and longer times between mandatory crack inspections.

Peening in Rail: Wheels For critical, high-volume rail applications like wheels, highly specialist, super-efficient equipment has evolved over time. Wheelabrator’s Railway Wheel Peener (RWP), for example, is a fullyautomated, high-capacity, in-line shot-peening machine that offers fine process control, able to monitor and control variables such as blast velocity, blast media size and media flow rate. Trusted by rail specialists such as MG-Valdunes, the RWP shot-peens railway wheels using two blast wheels that target each wheel simultaneously from both sides. Wheels roll in and out of the blast

cabinet assisted by automated work handling while a roller arrangement spins each individual wheel in the blast stream. Wheelabrator blast wheels deliver high shot energy, excellent energy efficiency and reduced machine maintenance. An automatic reclaim system recycles the blast media, removing any scale or dust. The RWP’s blast chamber is made from highly wear-resistant steel, with the blast zone protected by Wheelabrator’s replaceable LongLyfe® liners.

Peening in Rail: Surface Treatment for Springs Torsion, tension and both leaf and coil compression springs are vital parts of both trains themselves and other rail infrastructure such as buffers and signalling. Shot peening increases spring fatigue strength and lifespan, raises their maximum working load and prevents sagging. Here, too, special machine concepts have been developed that make the treatment of springs fast, economical and reliable. Wheelabrator’s RDS machine is purpose-built for spring peening and is perfect for treating the coil compression springs found in primary (bogie) and secondary (carriage) rail suspension systems and in air brake cylinders. Parameters like throughput speed, blasting time, discharge speed, shot size and distribution can be controlled with absolute precision, consistently delivering exactly the right peening intensity and coverage. The RDS cuts peening costs with its automatic operation, high output and uniform quality. In-line coil spring shot peening machines like

Wheelabrator’s RDS machine is purpose-built for spring peening and is perfect for automatically treating the coil compression springs widely used in rail

the RDS convey coil springs on parallel rotating rollers with pusher fingers that transport them through the blast zone. Multiple blast wheels target the springs, providing different blast angles that peen the coil springs as they spin through the blast cabinet. The RDS’s continuous throughfeed operation is simple, safe and ideally suited for fully automatic production, with a range of flexible loading and unloading options. With its compact design, the RDS requires minimal space and can be easily integrated into existing production lines.

Delivering Perfect Peening Cost-effective and reliable, modern shot peening technology avoids complicated, expensive or manual processes and is often the only practical option available for increasing the fatigue strength of rail components.

Wheelabrator’s purpose-built shot peening machines let this vital surface treatment technique be applied accurately, consistently, quickly and economically, regardless of the shape and size of the workpieces. For railway operators, maintenance specialists and manufacturers alike, Wheelabrator’s peening equipment helps ensure the safest rail operations with maximum operating time and minimum service downtime. www.wheelabratorgroup.com/ airblast

Wheelabrator Group SAS (Charleville) 24 Rue Camille Didier, FR-08000, Charleville Mezieres contact.fr@noricangroup.com

+33.3.24 33 63 00

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Assenta Rail

A Growth Story in Railway Maintenance

dinburgh-based railway engineering company, Assenta Rail, has recently gone from strength to strength following the opening of its Hamilton rail maintenance depot in late 2019. Since opening its rail depot a little over two years ago, the company has invested significantly in upgrades to the infrastructure and

increased both the capacity within the depot and the range of facilities on offer. Assenta Rail has been in business since 2001 and during this time it has grown organically, focusing on a key group of core clients and priding itself on offering tailored engineering solutions to its book of clients. Having firmly established itself as a consultancy with significant expertise at solving challenging engineering problems, the progression to operating its own maintenance facility was a

natural development. Establishing Hamilton LMD as a base for its operations allowed the firm to bring its engineering offerings in-house and to be able to offer a full turnkey service to clients. In the two years since opening the depot, the firm has installed a paint shop; purchased two sets of 15t jacks to facilitate works over its pitted roads and carried out extensive upgrade works to tracks and sidings within the depot. With the increasing development within the depot, the firm has also become

Starting from a strong position with a core base of key clients, by establishing the Hamilton maintenance facility, Assenta Rail has been able to significantly expand its services to both existing and prospective clients. For established clients, the depot has delivered a convenient location for maintenance of existing vehicles as well as a base for exciting new projects. These include substantial vehicle overhauls and full refurbishments of vehicles. With this expansion of both capacity and facilities, Assenta Rail has also been able to develop its client base. One of the key clients to select Assenta Rail to carry out a range of works on its behalf has been Abellio ScotRail. As the national operator within Scotland, Assenta Rail is proud to have worked with and delivered on a number of projects for the company over the past 12 months. This work has included repairs to various fleets of vehicles, paint upgrades and repairs following the

derailment of a Class 43 and Mark 3 vehicle at Dalwhinnie. The Class 43 repair was particularly interesting as bespoke repair solutions were required. This project required the full suite of engineering services Assenta Rail provides. The challenges of this project brought all the disciplines together to work in synergy, from technical design, specialist welding, painting and livery. As the company continues to develop, the services offered are underpinned by Assenta Rail’s ongoing certification as an Entity in Charge of Maintenance. As the only certified ECM in Scotland, Assenta Rail employs robust processes to ensure that control of maintenance has the absolute focus on safety, quality and efficiency. Operating out of Assenta Rail’s Edinburgh-based headquarters, the consultancy side of the business continues to provide oversight of the company’s maintenance facility to ensure strict adherence to standards and regulations. Assenta Rail’s consultancy work is also growing alongside its maintenance delivery function. Having significant experience in project management, engineering design and developing engineering solutions, the company is currently involved in a number of complex consultancy projects, including the bespoke design of HVAC systems for European rail vehicles, the development of central door locking systems, installation of controlled emission toilets (CET), the engineering change on a vehicle conversion project and an approvals project to secure authorisation to operate a new fleet of vehicles in GB. The past two years have seen significant growth for Assenta Rail on a number of fronts: personnel, facilities, clients and services.

Train Overhaul, Maintenance & Cleaning

an important employer within the local area and now provides employment for more than 20 local engineers, technicians and artisans based out of its Hamilton rail depot. The firm takes pride in its ability to continue the tradition of highly skilled railway engineering in the Lanarkshire area and actively employs locals with extensive experience to bolster its base of knowledge within the company. As a forward-looking business, Assenta Rail currently also employs apprentices and trainees who are learning their trades from more experienced personnel. As the company continues to develop over the coming years, these talented young people will become key members of our committed and supportive workforce. The ongoing development of our team is the key driver of our future success.

However, the firm is not finished growing yet. As an independent railway maintenance company based in Scotland, Assenta Rail is planning and developing for the future. With a narrow choice for innovative railway engineering solutions in Scotland, Assenta Rail aims to change this and rejuvenate the sector by offering comprehensive and competitive services. As part of this development, upcoming improvements include the construction of a new maintenance shed to further increase workshop capacity; upgrades to existing sidings to provide further stabling capacity; and continued investment in plant to increase the type of services Assenta Rail is able to offer along with the capacity of the number of vehicles that can be simultaneously worked on. Maintaining a competitive, gold-standard service is a key to the company’s growth strategy. Over the coming years Assenta Rail aims to continue bringing new life to the industry in Scotland and to welcome clients both existing and new to our facilities as development continues.

Your Expert for Gearbox Repairs for All Brands

· Analysis and investigation inspection · General inspection · Modification and adaption · Nondestructive examination · All-around carefree package · Education and training

www.gmeinder.com

How far do you want to take your train performance? With the help of recent technological advancements, you can extend train performance beyond what was recently thought to be the limit. A new generation of bearings from SKF lets you choose any maintenance interval without having to worry about failure due to underengineered bearings or about excessive cost due to over-engineering. Click or scan the QR code to discover our online tool and get the performance you need

® SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group. | © SKF Group 

Now you can get the level of maintenance competitiveness, reliability, and lifecycle cost that your business demands. In a partnership with us, we examine your needs and choose a combination of technical, service, and business solutions that take your train performance as far as you need.

SKF Railway

Tailor Train Performance to Your Needs Increasing demands on efficient train operations put increasing demands on components and technology. How do you get the performance you need?

ew developments in bearing technology, efficient service offers, and modern business arrangements help you hit the sweet spot between cost and performance. By picking and choosing between the different solutions, you can tailor a perfect combination for your needs.

Flexible Bearing Technology Options Even if bearings have been in production for well over 100 years, they are under constant development. For some of the latest updates on wheelset bearings, SKF engineers

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have put extra effort in finetuning the contact areas between the rollers and the raceway and between the roller face and the inner ring flange. They have pushed friction even lower than before with optimised geometries, improved raceway profile, optimised flange angle, and improved surface roughness. Lower friction results in lower operating temperatures,

Train Overhaul, Maintenance & Cleaning

Directory < Rolling Stock

which further enhances the preconditions for lubrication.

wheelset bearings, with thorough grease and surface analysis.

The bearing material itself is also under constant scrutiny. By refining the case-carburised process during bearing production, SKF has increased material strength and performance.

What grease to use is one thing, but what to do when there are not enough types of lubricants to choose from? Working together is the answer. Through collaborations between bearing manufacturers and lubricant producers, new specialised lubricants can be developed faster, drawing on expert knowledge from both sides.

Correct Lubricant Is Key Another essential aspect when pushing performance is lubrication. As extended maintenance intervals put demanding conditions on both wheelset bearings and the lubricant, a thorough selection is needed to choose the right combination of bearings and grease. This process can consist of several screening steps combining complete bearing tests, ranging from small-size bearings to actual

Keeping the Lubricant Where It Should Be Once the lubricant is chosen, you need to make sure that it stays where it should be. A new grease retainer increases the quantity of grease in the bearing unit. It keeps the lubricant in the bearing’s central area and releases oil to

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rolling contacts, ensuring optimal lubrication over an extremely long bearing lifetime. By adding the right seal, you can be sure to keep the grease in and contaminations out while keeping seal friction under control. A newly developed centrifugal lip seal works as two seals in one. At rest and low speeds, it works as a contacting seal and at high speeds as a labyrinth seal, making sure grease always stays in the bearing, and friction at a minimal level even at high speeds.

Service Solutions that Give You Control The correct bearings and lubrication are necessary to push train performance. But to get the reliable rotation you need, add one or more of the services that

Combine Solutions to Get the Proper Performance By choosing from these technical and service solutions, you can maximise rolling stock availability through extended maintenance intervals, and short service stops when needed. And you can minimise maintenance costs by only replacing what needs to be replaced and refurbishing rather than buying brand new parts. With bearings, condition monitoring, refurbishing, remote diagnostics, and other products and services from SKF, you can take your maintenance competitiveness to the next level.

Pay for Performance, Not Bearings help performance stay on top throughout the bearing lifetime. Condition monitoring is an obvious first. It helps to reduce the risk of failures, improves reliability, and shifts from time-based to conditionbased maintenance. Depending on your situation, you choose the solution that fits you best. Insight Rail is well suited for retrofitting on existing rolling stock, while IMxRail is an advanced multilog online system mounted on the bogie level or inside the train. An Axletronic temperature monitoring system helps you detect speed and other operational parameters. With the help of bearing remanufacturing, you can save up to 55% compared to the cost of new bearings while you reduce environmental impact through material and energy savings. You

can also shorten lead times by implementing predictive stockkeeping that depends on your typical bearing scrap rate. By using a proven SKF method, you can confidently extend maintenance intervals with your current bearing choice. With any extension of the maintenance interval, the bearing moves closer to the area of increased probability of failure in operation. The risk that we will get to this dangerous area can be mitigated with a preliminary and final assessment of the risk associated with extending the maintenance intervals for railway wheel bearings. The preliminary step deals with evaluating existing application data. The final step is to sample and measure the health of a population of bearings once the previously approved interval has been passed.

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By adding a flexible business contract, you get access to technology and knowledge for a fee, moving the investment cost from capital expenditure to operational expenditure. With such a contract, you can purchase mechanical reliability and availability as a service instead of buying products and systems. Bearing developments and flexible contracts make it possible to choose the performance you need and reach KPIs while reducing risk. The future is flexible. You decide what performance you need, and together with SKF, you build your offer with bearing technology, service solutions, and business agreements that fit your business.

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Aqseptence

Outlook: Automated Supply & Disposal Systems for Trains

Three mobile robots are used for potable water and wastewater servicing

any of us have already experienced the unpleasant situation that the toilets have been blocked off during a train ride. At this point, no one really cares about the cause of this circumstance. It’s simply

annoying for the traveller and damages the image of the railway operator. A major cause is often the lack of staff availability. This can be remedied by automating the service processes of the trains inside the service and maintenance depots.

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Therefore, more and more railway operators are considering the use of robots to provide fully automated solutions for a train’s water supply and wastewater disposal processes. The automation should meet the following new requirements and raised expectation of railway operators:

Increase of efficiency in order to increase availability of trains

•

Increase of reliability of train servicing systems

•

Reduction of dependence on lowly-skilled operators

•

Significant reduction of servicing time

Train Overhaul, Maintenance & Cleaning

•

First Pilot Installation Aqseptence Group GmbH with its Roediger brand – a specialist for water supply and wastewater disposal systems and a key supplier for Deutsche Bahn and other railway operators – joined forces with bip technology GmbH – a company specialised in automated maintenance systems for trains. Together they developed a solution that has already been tested at a pilot installation. The aim of the solution was to replace the physically strenuous and labour-intensive activities involved in service work on trains with automated solutions.

Tasks & Challenges The main tasks and challenges in the implementation of the project were as follows: •

Definite registration of train positions

•

Visual detection of train connection nozzles

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Development of composable technology packages for the activities required for the operation (e.g. opening and closing of covers and valves)

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Monitoring and documentation of supply and disposal processes

•

Communication with other train service systems

The Roediger skid-mounted vacuum station generates and maintains the required negative pressure

Application Technologies & Implementation Based on these requirements, a solution was developed that implements the processes for specific trainsets without the requirement of modifications at the trains. With appropriate adaptations to the tools, the system could be extended for different train types. The solution is characterised by the fact that, on the one hand, the spatial and technological requirements of the intended installation site and, on the other hand, the different configurations of the location of the nozzles on the trains were taken into account. To implement the task, a 15m long linear guide rail was selected on which three robots can move in synchronisation. The middle robot was assigned the wastewater disposal process and the two

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outer robots for the potable water supply process (depending on the position of the potable water and wastewater covers of the train). In order to test the functioning of the various tool sets and the control system, the entire pilot installation was set up in original size. The position of the covers was simulated with original train parts and the entire motion sequence was tested. The following sequence has been defined for the supply and disposal processes: •

Train stops in the designated window

•

Robot searches for the exact position in longitudinal and vertical position with camera and image analysis

•

Robot fetches opening tool and opens the cover

•

Robot checks condition by means of camera and image evaluation

•

Robot fetches tool for supply or disposal and initiates the process

•

The shutdown (tank filled resp. emptied) is done by sensors or camera monitoring

•

Robot fetches closing tool and checks the locking of the cover by force after closing

•

Robot documents the correct closing of the cover by means of an image

•

The robots move on a guide rail which is installed next to the track

Robotics releases the train

The extensive simulation of the operation shows that the path of automating recurring processes is a promising way to achieve better train availability.

Advantages of the Automated Concept In addition to the automation of processes that are always identical, the following main advantages are to be gained from the use of robots: •

24-hour operational readiness of the system

•

Operational readiness even for unscheduled tasks

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Personnel-independent use

•

Real-time monitoring and documentation

•

Preventive maintenance (e.g. documentation of the covers that have to be maintained)

•

Statistical evaluation

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Maximisation of reliability

•

Reduction of dependence on low-skilled operators

•

Significant reduction of servicing time

In summary, this innovative and new concept for water supply

and wastewater disposal systems for trains makes work processes physically easier, significantly faster and more reliable. It also makes the entire process safer and more documented. The system is open and can be adapted to on-site conditions. Thus, it can be used for all train types in the future. As a result, conditions such as those described at the beginning should be a thing of the past, and only pleasant things should be associated with a train ride.

Andreas Bayerlein

Aqseptence Group GmbH andreas.bayerlein@ aqseptence.com

Wilfried Pieper

bip technology GmbH Connecting to the wastewater coupling at the train

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wilfried.pieper@biptechnology.de

Reliable service at pit stop speed. Roediger® water & wastewater systems for rail depots and workshops

Freshwater and wastewater management with incredibly short downtimes: This is what we are already providing with the latest vacuum technology for large and demanding train operators worldwide. You too can rely on the perfect combination of service quality and high speed: • Potable / freshwater treatment and supply • Preparation and supply of flushing water • Service stations for indoor and outdoor areas • Cleaning service cabinets for interior cleaning of trains Roediger® Vacuum Supply & Disposal System. Ultra fast. Outstandingly efficient. Extremely reliable.

Roediger A brand of Aqseptence Group www.aqseptence.com

Aqseptence Group GmbH Vacuum Technology Systems Kinzigheimer Weg 104 63450 Hanau Germany Phone +49 6181 309 0 E-Mail: info.roediger@aqseptence.com

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AKASOL

Powering the Mobility of Tomorrow Today

he Battery Systems of AKASOL have been providing energy for a multitude of electrified commercial and industrial vehicles for numerous years. The modular approach followed by AKASOL does not only offer remarkable flexibility and scalability, but also the highest economic efficiency. In co-operation with ALSTOM, this proven technology will now be brought on to the railways,

bringing a highly efficient and environmentally friendly alternative power unit to yet another industry. What started as an association of electrical engineering students practicing research and development at Technical University Darmstadt in 1990, was transformed into a company in 2008. Early on, the vision of alternative mobility concepts constituted the main incentive for conducting research and forging products ready for serial production out of it. This objective was achieved in 2015 when AKASOL

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won series orders for two major European bus manufacturers. Since then, various orders have followed and leading to massive growth for AKASOL and paving the way for new serial production facilities, which opened up in Michigan (US), and Langen (Germany). Finally, in 2020, the company moved its headquarters to the newly built Gigafactory 1 in Darmstadt. The value created in those three plants exceeds the materialistic one represented by more than 4,500 series systems delivered to 84 customers globally; compared to the use of conventional combustion engines, 280t of CO2 reduction will be achieved over the lifetime of all equipped CVs.

This success was achieved by a systemic approach: based on its AKASystems, AKASOL developed four types of automotivecertified high-performance lithium-ion battery systems that provide intelligent solutions to all areas of mobility. Each type has been designed to serve a specific application, adjusting characteristics such as cell type, cycle life, or cost per kWh to the respective needs. All of them share the ability to scale freely. Together with the model range that allows prioritization between ultra-high energy (AKM CYC), ultra-high power (AKM POC), the mean of power and energy (OEM PRC), and the use of a 48V system (AKR PRC), this means that no matter whether AKASOL battery systems are applied in bus, commercial, industrial, rail or marine applications – the modular design and free scalability of the AKASystem solution means it can be tailored to suit any needs. This

is also true for the liquid cooling system which was designed to require as little space as possible. With very high energy densities on the system-level, AKASOL can produce more power in less space while emitting only little heat. These are the ideal preconditions for the highest power output across a long battery life – a safe, reliable and durable operation.

Expansion in Fuel Cell Powertrains AKASOL has been involved in the development of traction batteries for trains for a decade. Co-operating with French railway technology specialist ALSTOM, this expertise has been particularly valuable: AKASOL’s high-performance battery systems form the heart of the drivetrain of the globally unique Coradia iLint hydrogen train. It is the first emission-free alternative for diesel trains on lines that cannot be electrified at all or only with immense effort. While the

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application of an AKASystem in a train is not a trailblazer’s work, the combination with a hydrogen-powered power unit is. The use of two 3P AKASYSTEM 18 AKM battery systems once again accentuates the system’s adaptivity. They sum up to a total capacity of 220kWh and use the energy recuperated when braking as well as the energy produced by the fuel cell. Not only to provide the power needed for propulsion but also to supply it to on-board systems like lighting and airconditioning. In September 2018, the Coradia iLint started running successfully in a test phase. Since then, it has travelled more than 150,000km – safely, silently and emission-free. More than 40 of the trains will be delivered to transport associations in Germany in 2022, replacing diesel trains and thereby reducing noise and air pollution.

Rolling Stock Power Supplies

The Advantages of a Systemic Approach

Directory < Rolling Stock

Premium

PASSEN 1ph DC

DOOR SYSTEMS DC/DC Converters

Shaping the Future of Rolling Stock Power Solutions

ailway product and systems development is constantly evolving. When it comes to the end customer’s expectations, many different but technically competing aspects converge: comfort, efficiency, environment, and safety amongst others.

BISTRO BAR WAGON SERVICES DC/DC Converters and DC/AC Inve

INTEGRATED TOILET MODULDES DC/DC Converters

Electrical and mechanical components for the railway industry need to provide reliable and safe operations while running under wide temperature fluctuations, condensation, electromagnetic interference, and shock and vibrations. Under these circumstances, nothing can be left to chance. Premium PSU has been providing reliable power supply solutions for over four decades and currently carries the largest DC/AC inverter portfolio in the market along with a wide range of DC/DC converters. Solutions that go from 60W to 50kW and comply with the most relevant standards (EN45545-2, EN50155, EN61373, ISO, DIN, IEEE, etc.), which are developed and manufactured in Barcelona. Innovation and state-of-the-art technology set Premium PSU apart. Working with the largest train and locomotive manufacturers and

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LOW BATTERY STARTER DC/DC Converter

VIDEO ON BOARD SYSTEM MANAGEMENT

DC-BOARD GRID

NGER AC SOCKETS C/AC Inverters

RUNNING LIGHTS DC/DC Converters

WINDSCREEN WIPERS DC/DC Converters

erters

DRIVER DESK AC SOCKETS 1ph DC/AC Inverters

FRONT HATCH MECHANISMS DC/DC Converter

BRAKING SYSTEM DC/DC Converters

EMERGENCY VENTILATION SYSTEMS 3ph DC/AC Inverters

AUXILIARY DC VOLTAGE FOR INTEGRATED TRACTION SYSTEM DC/DC Converters

ATP & ATO SIGNALLING SYSTEMS DC/DC Converters BATTERY CHARGERS DC/AC Inverters

RAIL CONTROL SYSTEMS DC/DC Converters

being involved in projects all around the world has given Premium PSU a comprehensive experience in the field of rolling stock and extensive industrial know-how. Solutions can be found in and out of the convoy, where a multitude of Premium PSU’s devices work to guarantee performance, safety, and comfort.

board video system management or activating running lights and windscreen wipers are a few of the many applications of Premium’s power supplies in rolling stock.

Designed to Work under Demanding Conditions

With the aim to continue shaping the future of power electronics and following the strategic plan to provide higher-power density solutions for rolling stock applications, one the latest projects carried out at Premium PSU has turned into a 40kW three phase DC/AC inverter to feed and HVAC system from the 750V catenary line and designed according to EN50163.

Premium’s DC/DC converters and DC/AC inverters, make possible the operation of elements and services that are essential for passengers. Systems such as those located in the doors, the bistro bar wagon services or the integrated toiled modules are made of equipment that must work reliably during the trip. Providing power to the traction system and all other systems on the train, including heating and ventilation, lighting, public information displays, on-

New Challenges: Higher Power Density

This new development has become the biggest milestone in terms railway market solutions for the company. Over 2,000 hours of product development and a committed team have made it

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possible. This new custom-made solution includes a catenary filter, two independent output threephase lines with VVF control, and CAN Open communication. All of it in a less than 60kg device, which will start to be mass produced at the end of 2021. Along with custom-made solutions, Premium PSU has been working on high-power energy conversion solutions to include in its standard line card. A 6.4kW 750V light rail vehicle catenary inverter; and a 10kW 110V battery to 500Vdc link booster will be launched in 2022. Increasing the range of high power with innovative solutions to cover all needs for the railway sector is key to keep giving shape to power the future.

Rolling Stock Power Supplies

HVAC POWER SUPPLY 3ph DC/AC Inverters

THE PERFECT FIT FOR BATTERY VOLTAGES BETWEEN 14.4V DC AND 154V DC Wondering where to ind a DC/DC converter able to work with both a 24V DC and a 110V DC source?

CLS-120: New 120W wide input range DC/DC converter High input-output isolation

Wide input voltage range: 14.4 ... 154V DC Output voltage: 12V, 24V and 48V DC Available options: embedded Oring & remote sensing Operating temperature up to 85ºC (OT6 with derating) Class S2: hold-up time 10ms Fanless - convection cooled Conformal coating Easy install: wall mount, DIN rail, rack mount

Learn more at www.premiumpsu.com Follow us

Skeleton Technologies A Growing Trend for the Present and the Future: Supercapacitors in the Rail Industry

ransport accounts for 27% of Europe’s total CO2 emissions. Rail is one of the greenest modes of transport so having a higher share of passenger and freight journeys performed by train is fundamental for decarbonising the transport sector.

However, despite rail transport being one of the most energyefficient modes of transport, the rail industry is also making efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and save energy.

“Environmental stewardship is a priority for the rail industry and this impacts everything. Everyone is on board with the goal of

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reducing consumption of energy and lowering carbon emissions, and this is becoming a competitive edge for companies when they apply for tenders,” confirms Tobias Ragnarsson, Sales Director at Skeleton Technologies. “This is precisely one of the main reasons why supercapacitors are becoming increasingly popular among rail companies.”

Rolling Stock Power Supplies

Directory < Rolling Stock

Supercapacitors are an energy storage technology that offers high power density, almost instant charging and discharging, high reliability, and very long lifetimes. They are routinely used in trams, and they have been implemented on trains as well. Increasingly, they are becoming key to rail transport. Their implementation provides effective voltage stabilisation for rail systems, greatly improves the performance of propulsion for light rail vehicles, and significantly advances the locomotive engine starting technologies. One of the key applications for supercapacitors in the rail industry is KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), an onboard energy storage system, which captures braking energy in trams to power acceleration and decreases carbon emissions. Implementation of this

system results in improved fuel efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions, faster tram acceleration and less noise.

“Using Skeleton’s rail-certified SkelMod 51V module in KERS applications, trams can recover up to 30% of electricity. This module is currently trusted by companies such as Škoda Transportation, Medcom, and CAF,” details Ragnarsson. But supercapacitors don’t have to be added on-board to be used for capturing braking energy. Ragnarsson also highlights the high potential of these devices for wayside energy storage in trains. Wayside energy storage for rail is electrical energy storage, which is typically located in, or close to a rail traction power substation. In this case, systems such as Skeleton’s SkelGrid Ultracapacitor System

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are used in train stations. Wayside KERS captures energy during the braking of a train arriving at the station and provides energy during the acceleration of a train leaving the station. This offers several advantages over lithium-ion batteries such as a higher safety and a longer lifetime. Supercapacitors are also used in diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains for engine starting applications. Safety and reliability matter especially in extreme weather conditions of -40°C. The main reason why equipment can fail to start is the use of lead-acid batteries as power packs to get started. “Supercapacitor modules are ideally suited for starting diesel train generators and provide all the necessary power while taking up 6x less space at about 30x lower weight than lead-acid batteries,

making it an easy retrofit solution,” says Ragnarsson. In addition, Ragnarsson explains that supercapacitors are key enablers for catenary-free operations. “Sometimes, the catenary is not entirely available for the planned route due to limitations regarding preservation orders in certain city quarters. In this case, using onboard supercapacitors could be a perfect solution, providing energy in track sections without catenary. This application has several significant advantages: no catenary-related constructions needed (fast and easy implementation) and lower public grid connection costs (energy is being regenerated when the train is braking).”

suggests, supercapacitors have the potential to revolutionise the rail industry. The technology can significantly improve train efficiency, reducing costs and CO2 emissions, and increasing energy savings, contributing to making rail transportation one of the greenest options for the decarbonised future.

As the growing trend of using them in trains and trams

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Tobias Ragnarsson

Sales Director – Transportation

tobias.ragnarsson@ skeletontech.com +46 705 790 757

THIS IS SIMPLIFICATION FLEXSYS Modularised Ancillary Systems

Reduced weight and space Completely configurable One system, one supplier

Ancillary systems for rail applications have evolved. The future of modularisation is here, and the all new Parker modularised plug and play system is ready to transform your application. Streamline your project supply chain and improve ease of ordering with one modularised system from one supplier. parker.com

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Parker

Simplification at Its Best: Parker Presents a New Approach to Ancillary Systems for Rail Vehicles

o fully appreciate the impact of this new approach we first should consider traditional ancillary system design and the issues that can arise as a result.

The typical traditional approach with ancillary system design has been to design a bespoke solution almost project by project. Some efforts have been made to utilise a common system across a vehicle platform, but even then, project variations can lead to system variation and modifications to designs.

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Trying to force the use of a common system without any flexibility to alter its design can be both technically and commercially challenging with the possibility of ‘off system’ additions being required, or conversely component redundancy. This traditional design approach also doesn’t drive a common spares

Rolling Stock Power Supplies

Module B ASSY © PARKER

catalogue with the possibility of different components being used on a project-by-project basis, thereby adding to logistic costs and spares management complexity.

visible impacts such as the training requirements for different bespoke systems, the different maintenance requirements and activities and even installation methods and time.

The documentation requirements to support the development of a new system design are significant and include the technical file for the design but also the required manuals, drawings, LCC/RAMS and contractual documentation. With bespoke designs on a project-byproject basis this documentation can consume significant time and result in one off non-recurring cost charges.

The transformational new approach from Parker has system configuration flexibility absolutely at its core, drawing on a common range of rail industry standard products to ensure standardisation of products and spares across multiple contracts – it looks to address the traditional issues discussed above.

Everything discussed so far has cost implications both in terms of system procurement cost and indirect costs for engineering. However, there are other less

The thought was, take the common functions and make standard submodules to address the specific function control requirements. This has led to the design of a range of function blocks that can easily be configured into an ancillary

Modular System © PARKER

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assembly, identify the functions required and configure them in to a fully assembled and tested control system, ready to plug and play As well as being able to configure function blocks into a complete system assembly, blocks are designed so that they can be used as stand-alone controls. A prime example is the horn control system, the benefit of which is the ability to then locate the control much closer to the actual application it’s controlling. The blocks could also be split into separate smaller ancillary systems. A benefit of this would be that the control could be placed nearer its application; another is that the available space can be used more effectively so that smaller space envelopes can be considered. With the new approach, the technical file also becomes standard

and is configured to align with the function blocks being utilised, and the same is true for the technical manuals and drawings. For the LCC and RAMS documentation the data is pre-formatted and just needs the project variables such as project life, duty times and current costs to be entered in order to calculate periodicities and costs for maintenance activities. As a result, ‘soft issues’ such as installation and maintenance documentation support are also transformed. In summary, this new approach means that the time from enquiry to solution is vastly reduced; standard blocks are configured using a standard range of components designed specifically for use in the rail industry. In essence, the benefit lies in driving common parts for the spares catalogue and the subsequent benefits to overall logistics management and cost. Utilising a standard range of function blocks also provides for commonality across multiple projects as well as commonality in terms of installation and maintenance activity. www.parker.com

Tripcock © PARKER

Watch the Video Here:

Christian Rohr FCCE Market Development Manager EMEA Fluid and Climate Controls Europe – A Division of Parker Hannifin Corporation part of Instrumentation Group crohr@parker.com

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YOUR RAILWAY PARTNER

Connections: a key link in the railway transport chain As an industry partner and key supplier in the international railway sector for more than 30 years, we have a clear insight into your challenges and expectations, such as service continuity, extreme weather conditions and mechanical stresses. We provide an effective response with optimized solutions, whether for highspeed, main-line, suburban or regional trains, or tramways and underground railways. www.staubli.com

Stäubli Electrical Connectors, ec.marcom@staubli.com

Rolling Stock Power Supplies CombiTac CT-HE for battery pack – CombiTac connectors are used for the transfer of power and for monitoring railway battery packs. The special CombiTac is designed to meet the requirements of EN 45545-2 and EN 50124‑1 and has a high resistance to shock, vibrations and high temperatures

Directory < Rolling Stock

Stäubli

Your worldwide partner for the rail industry.

Stäubli Electrical Connectors Is Geared for the Future

rains operate in extreme heat or cold, through hilly or flat terrain and in all weather conditions.

throughout the journey. This places high demands on components such as electrical plug connections. The durable high-performance connectors from Stäubli Electrical Connectors guarantee safe and reliable application in rail transport. It doesn’t matter when or where.

Additionally, the entire train should seamlessly receive data and signals

For decades, Stäubli Electrical Connectors has developed

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sophisticated connection solutions for use in rail vehicles. The Swiss company supplies suitable plug-in connections with its modular power connectors (MPC) for all types of trains, locomotives, and streetcars. The MPCs have excellent power transmission characteristics even under the most difficult conditions. Whether it is a maglev train in China, alternative drive with fuel

cells or in the hybrid conversion from diesel to electric, Stäubli is regarded worldwide as a reliable and competent partner for rail transport.

Northeast Corridor: Along the US Coast at High Speed The Northeast Corridor (NEC) is the longest continuously electrified long-distance rail line on the Eastern Seaboard. Based on the TGV platform, the high-speed trains roll along a length of 734 kilometres from Boston to Washington, D.C. For fast installation and cable assembly, French manufacturer Alstom used Stäubli’s MPC connectors. The MPCs proved to be the ideal modular platform for on-demand solutions and a reliable power supply. A particular challenge was the limited space between the cars. As the MPCs already included a solution for dynamic cable strain relief, costs could be reduced at this point.

There from the Beginning: Low-Speed Maglev in China China put a next-generation low-speed maglev into service in late 2020. The new train with magnetic levitation technology had previously successfully passed all relevant complex tests. The maglev prototype had to overcome specific challenges such as steep climbs, tight curve radiuses and low-noise operation after a relatively short development period. To achieve this goal, a stable and reliable connection solution was needed across the entire train with its three railway cars. The Chinese manufacturer opted for MPC

plug connections from the world market leader Stäubli. They were installed throughout the maglev prototype. With a maximum speed of 120 kilometres per hour, the train now glides on a tourist route in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. The production of further low-speed maglev trains is planned. They are perfect for use in local and regional public transport.

World Debut: Innovative Hydrogen Trains in Germany Talking about debuts, Stäubli is also at the forefront of innovation in Lower Saxony in Germany: the world’s first hydrogen-powered train began regular passenger service on the Elbe-Weser network in 2018 with two pre-series trains. The first hydrogen series trains will be in regular service in Germany from 2022. French rail vehicle manufacturer Alstom was the developer of the new, CO2 emission-free hydrogen train. The on-board hydrogen fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. This generates electrical energy for the drive. With the new fuel cell technology, the requirements for well-functioning plug connections are correspondingly high. Stäubli equipped the train with stable MPCs for wagon crossovers and traction converters. The CombiTac CT-HE connector was used for power transmission and monitoring of the batteries. The special design meets the requirements of EN 45545-2 and EN 50124-1 and offers high resistance to vibrations, shocks and high temperatures. These connector components are suitable for the specific requirements of the rail industry and for use in rail vehicles.

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For Alstom the hydrogen train is a showcase project for a sustainable mobility solution. Stäubli`s MPC ensures stable connections which are essential to ensure smart management of drive power and available energy. They also support concepts to convert energy cleanly and allow efficient energy storage in batteries. Hydrogen trains are being developed specifically for use on non-electrified lines.

Electric instead of Diesel: DB Regio EcoTrain Climate change demands sensible, long-term concepts for all areas of private and public mobility. The pressure for the increased use of sustainable, environmentally friendly energy solutions in rail transport is therefore immense. The objective is to drastically reduce noise and harmful substances. However, diesel-powered trains have an average service life of thirty

About Stäubli

Modular power connector MPC – For use in rolling stock, e.g. on-board power applications, traction converter and battery outputs, body to bogie and motor connection

years. Disposing of them would be anything but ecologically sound. To date, around 60 percent of rail lines in Germany have been electrified. Not all lines are equipped with electric overhead lines. In the end, there are still thousands of kilometres of non-electrified lines. The solution: diesel railcars are being converted into modern hybrid vehicles that can then run on electricity. The EcoTrain, an initiative of DB Regio and DB RegioNetz Verkehrs GmbH, puts the concept into practice. Stäubli was also called in here as an experienced partner for the first prototype. The EcoTrain’s innovative drive project is based on replacing dieselmechanical engines with powerful electric motors. Depending on requirements and the model, diesel generators, batteries, or an electric overhead line serve as energy sources. Data, signals and all connections must be installed accordingly so that the new hybrid

technology functions smoothly. This is where the advantages of the modular MPC plug connections are particularly effective. Because with the EcoTrain, the exceptional features of the MPCs in the highcurrent area are important. They are designed for demanding mechanical conditions.

Highest Standards and Lower Costs Whether it is digitalisation, the development of a new generation of rail vehicles or smart trains: Stäubli connections meet the highest safety standards according to international industry standards. The uncomplicated plug-in connection also simplifies vehicle maintenance, thus reducing costs. Stäubli has the experience, knowledge and sophisticated joining technology to respond quickly and flexibly to a wide range of customer requirements.

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Stäubli offers innovative mechatronic solutions in three core areas, including connectors, robotics and textiles. Founded in 1892, today Stäubli is an international group headquartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland with more than 5,500 employees worldwide. Stäubli has a presence in 29 countries with production companies, sales and service subsidiaries and is supplemented by agents in 50 countries. As a world market leader in the field of connectors, Stäubli manufactures quick connector systems for all types of fluids, gases and electrical energy. The Electrical Connectors product portfolio (formerly Multi-Contact) ranges from miniature connectors to high-performance connectors for power transmission, industrial automation, transportation, test and measurement. In photovoltaics, Stäubli is the global market leader with its MC4 connector components. The core of all Stäubli electrical connectors is the unique MULTILAM technology. https://www.staubli.com/ electrical

AHEAD OF THE CURVE. Partner with an advanced engine company whose reach stretches around the world. With Cummins, you gain the strength of a true global powerhouse, already at work in 190 countries and some of the world’s most advanced rail companies. Our worldwide network of 8,000 distributer and dealer locations means parts and service are never far from wherever you are. Trust the legendary expertise, performance and global leadership of Cummins to keep you at the front of the line. Learn more at cummins.com/rail

AHEAD OF THE CURVE.

For service and support, one company is out in front — Cummins. As a global leader in rail propulsion, Cummins has 8,000 dealer locations stretching around the world. These hubs of local engineering talent allow us to provide help wherever you are. Access experienced rail-trained experts who speak the local language and can provide on-site training and field support. Quickly locate replacement parts needed and receive immediate assistance via our leading-edge Cummins Care hotline and Web portal. Learn more at cummins.com/rail

TSL-ESCHA

A New Universal Lighting Concept for Railway Vehicles TSL-ESCHA’s new LL series for interior lighting ensures optimal lighting conditions © TSL-ESCHA

he new ceiling lighting series LL by TSL-ESCHA is a long-term, versatile and expandable solution. It offers an individual lighting concept and an intelligent luminaire system for easy and predictive maintenance.

Light can have a calming and relaxing effect. This is an enormous advantage in the often hectic everyday life of public transportation. Accordingly, more and more operators are relying on an intelligent lighting system. This means greater comfort for passengers but also optimum safety. A smart lighting system also

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offers added value for the vehicle manufacturer. Because who doesn’t want a product that is maintenancefree, durable and reliable? In addition, it can withstand continuous loads for many years and at the same time reduce ongoing operating costs. TSL-ESCHA has developed the perfect solution for LED ceiling lighting for rail

Train Interiors

Directory < Rolling Stock

vehicles with the new Linear Light Series LL. TSL-ESCHA has over 35 years of experience in the development and production of push buttons, signal lights, warning sounders and indicator devices for road and rail vehicles. With the new LL series, TSL-ESCHA now offers a universal, innovative and intelligent lighting concept for ceiling lighting in trains. Fixed light colours or colours adapted to the respective situation from warm white to cold white light (from 3,000K to 6,500K) can be realised. A homogeneous light without transitions can be achieved over the entire length of the vehicle with the LL series. The advantage of the linear light series is its simple and intelligent wiring. This makes the system a cost-effective option that is also easy to assemble. Each printed circuit board can be individually adjusted in terms of brightness and light colour. This makes it easy to implement individual customer requirements. The same applies to compliance with standards such

as for electronic equipment (EN 50155), photometric requirements (EN 13272-2) and fire protection (EN 45545-2 up to Hazard Level 3). The linear lights can be connected to the existing communication system of the vehicle, as it is gateway-capable. This enables higher-level control. This is done via Ethernet or CAN bus, which are frequently used in the rail industry. By analysing and evaluating the collected data, correct maintenance work can be carried out, suitable spare parts can be provided, and the downtime can be kept as short as possible. The magic word in this area is predictive maintenance. The new LL system is already in use in trams in the Czech Republic. In this project, TSL-ESCHA installed the linear lights directly in a profile designed by the vehicle manufacturer and delivered this ready for installation. For the customer it was then only a matter of mounting, plugging together, diffuser on top, ready to go! The light colour according to individual customer requirements

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was already set in advance at the TSL factory. On site at the vehicle manufacturer, it was then possible to make a simple adjustment of the brightness in the installed state. This is how modern lighting technology works. It makes things easy for the vehicle operator and ensures that passengers feel even safer and more comfortable.

Product Highlights of the LL Series: •

Intelligent and individual lighting solution

•

Variable light lengths allow installation in any vehicle

•

Subsequent parameterisation possible, as each printed circuit board is individually adjustable in terms of brightness and light colour

•

Cost and time savings during maintenance

•

Predictive planning of

repairs possible (predictive maintenance) •

Plug-&-play system components – from diffusers to profiles

•

The LL system is a cost-effective variant that already has a basic intelligence. This can be upgraded by a gateway as a high-end variant

•

Long-lasting and expandable solution

•

Networking of the different systems enables higher-level control and monitoring (Railway 4.0)

For more information, visit www.tsl-escha.com or call the TSL-ESCHA team at +492353-667960.

The linear lights can be individually adapted to any customer requirement in terms of color temperature and brightness © TSL-ESCHA

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Directory < Rolling Stock

Camira

What Are the Current Trends in Rail Fabrics?

rom the welcoming warmth of a wool moquette to the sleek finish of a flat woven fabric and timeless luxury of pure leather, the upholstery featured in a rail carriage’s interior plays an integral role, not only in its aesthetic, but the place a commute holds in a passenger’s day. In this article, Ciara Crossan, Group Design Manager at Camira – a transport textile manufacturer with over two centuries’ experience – discusses the trends and changes they are noticing in the industry today, and the influence this has on the fabrics they create. “Following the coronavirus pandemic, and the isolation and crowd avoidance this necessitated during the various periods of lockdown, many passengers may feel increased levels of anxiety when travelling during busy times. As we begin to return en masse to the office, operators are working to address the impact the past 24

months has had upon our daily lives and make the commute to work as appealing – and relaxing – as possible. One of the first to implement a solution, in October this year the Docklands Light Railway in London announced the launch of 12 carriages dedicated to mindfulness, equipped with meditation corners and designed

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with natural scenes, such as forests, across the interior walls, and we’re certainly beginning to see an increased desire for carriages to be calming, soothing spaces – places where passengers can take a moment to unwind, rather than feel as though they must be permanently switched on and connected to their devices.

Train Interiors

For so long we’ve treated our commute as part of our working day, and, whilst it can be a great place to focus, some passengers prefer – and perhaps need – to use it as a space to relax and take a moment to prepare for the day ahead, or reflect on the day passed. As part of this shift in what passengers want, carriages are now being designed to embrace the natural world – there’s a reason why biophilia has remained such a popular form of design, it has been proven time and again that an increased connection to our environment reduces our levels of stress and anxiety – and this is certainly feeding through into rail interiors more than ever before. Part of this is through the colours chosen for the space,

tones of green and brown are becoming more popular, as seen in the DLR project, and also through other design elements, such as increasing the levels of natural light in carriages. Whilst artificial lighting will always be necessary, particularly for evening and winter travel, there is a movement towards optimising the amount of sunlight in carriages, and embracing the impact this has upon our wellbeing. All of these elements have an impact on the textiles we create – softer, woollen fabrics in delicate hues, such as deep taupes and pebble greys work beautifully in these more understated, relaxing environments. Wire woven fabrics

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in particular are a popular choice – the ability to create a variety of different surface textures means that these types of textiles can have an intricate, micro detail, alongside providing irresistible tactility, which really helps to create a welcoming, comforting environment which is stylish, without demanding attention – allowing customers to practice the mindfulness which has become ever more important. Plus, as they are woven with a wool rich composition, the natural fibres perfectly complement the biophilic trend.” Explore Camira’s textile capabilities at www.camirafabrics.com

Deutsche Bahn’s Ideas Train, 2021 One of the industry’s most forward-thinking companies, sustainability is a core focus for German rail operator Deutsche Bahn – having long asserted its ambition to be 100% climate neutral by 2040 and, already achieving 61% usage of renewable energy, it is one of the most ecoconscious transport organisations in the world. Sharing this ethos with Camira, earlier this year, the two companies came together with leading transport design studio Neomind to create a new

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textile for inclusion in the DB Ideas Train – developing a sophisticated grey, wire woven fabric with a cut and loop surface, the strikingly modern construction reflected the appearance of a flat cloth, whilst also creating a tactile finish through its contrasting textures. Watch the video below to learn more about the inspiration behind the design of the Ideas Train textile, and what the future of rail interiors may hold.

Textiles for an exceptional rail experience Designing and manufacturing fabrics which transform seats and spaces, provide an optimal passenger experience, and meet the highest of performance and safety standards, Camira is the ideal partner to create the perfect upholstery solution for your rail interior. Explore what is possible at www.camirafabrics.com/rail

Drive for Future Public Mobility Gearboxes & Drives

∙ Solution for light rail vehicles, metro & suburban applications, locomotives and other mass transport vehicles ∙ From one prototype to large series production ∙ Gear manufacturing tradition since 1918 ∙ Complet drive train solution (gear units, couplings, traction motor, brakes) ∙ Extensive test facility up to 1,4 MW and simulated dynamic load 300 m.s-2

The essence of engineering | www.wikov.com

Industrilas

Access Solutions that Go the Distance

ore comfort, greater reliability and less stress are three of the top reasons why many people choose to travel by rail rather than by air or by car. We get it. Industrilas access solutions delivers exactly that, making us a perfect

fit for train manufacturers competing on the world’s urban and mainline passenger rail markets.

with access solutions like ours. But when inferior products are used it is just a matter of time before the squeaks and rattles begin to erode passenger satisfaction.

Passengers climbing aboard metro, commuter or mainline trains may not notice all exterior and interior compartments, panels, fixtures and equipment secured

Industrilas vibration-resistant access solutions for trains are expertly designed and manufactured to stand up against the elements and vibrations over the long run. They

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Rolling Stock Components & Materials

Directory < Rolling Stock

not only make the journey more comfortable and less stressful for passengers, but also for crews and maintenance staff who appreciate durability, ease of use and proper compression.

Serving the Sector for Decades Industrilas has been developing, designing and manufacturing world-class access solutions for the transportation sector for over 40 years. All with total control over the entire, in-house production chain from design and manufacturing to final surface treatments and assembly. So by the time they leave our house, you can be sure they are 100% ready to roll, float or fly. We also deliver to the power generation and distribution industries. Our solutions can be found on outdoor substations, switchgear cabinets and enclosures for generators, as well as on train overhead line conductors. The main objectives for these applications are to ensure safety, to guarantee functionality of the unit and to withstand weather conditions such as rain, snow, heat, cold and thunderstorms.

Designed In-House. Destined to Travel. Fortunately for us and our customers, nothing gets our product engineers and designers more fired up than an unusually tough nut to crack. So whenever a problem related to trains or heavy machinery comes our way, you can be sure our people will be up to the challenge.

Partners in Perfection The secret to our success? Your participation. We find that the

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Railway Access Solutions Environmental & Mechanical Challenges •

Vibrations, heat, cold, water, salt, snow, ice, dirt

Design & Engineering Features •

Acid-proof stainless steel (AISI 316) • Proper compression • Vibration-resistant according to DIN EN 61373 • Sealed to IP65 for excellent ingress protection • Fast and easy to install Aesthetic & Ergonomic Benefits

•

Sophisticated look and feel • Clever flush-mounted design • Exceptional ease of use • Will not buzz, squeak or rattle

more our customers want to be involved, the better the end results are. That is why, when you come to us with your idea or problem, we guide and engage you throughout the entire process from design to manufacturing. In that way, together we create solutions that are well thought through and deliver the perfect combination of function, safety, ease of use and flawless look and feel.

Tried and Tested With decades of experience under our belt, we know how much customers value our unique solutions and our modular approach that enables them to

pick and choose from a variety of alternatives. And when it comes to ensuring the right quality for transportation applications, we can guarantee: • • • •

BSR (Buzz, Squeak and Rattle) extermination Crash tests to ensure nothing comes loose Vibration- and shock-resistant according to DIN EN 61373 Automotive quality in accordance with IATF 16949

Somewhere Near You Today Industrilas is present in over 40 countries around the world including eight full-service hubs and three manufacturing facilities, allowing us to keep lead times to a minimum and provide local service for our customers. To find a local contact, please visit industrilas.com.

Solutions that Last Industrilas offers a plethora of standard and customised solutions. Here are a few examples of the product categories that are applicable to the railway industry.

contact@industrilas.com +46 (0) 10 130 7500 www.industrilas.com

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The range of quarter-turns and their area of use are endless. They can be designed for simple applications or in stainless steel with vibration resistance, as water and dustproof and with a trapezoidal thread. You can design the quarter-turns however you like by combining your choice of housing, nut, insert, washer, screw and cam. Sealing profiles and edge protections help you to keep a cabinet airtight, to reduce wear and tear or reduce the risk of cutting yourself on sharp edges. Industrilas offers a wide variety of hinges for the transportation sector. All are chock and vibration tested, with many versions in stainless steel. We also offer a multitude of hinges for applications that require a lesser amount of strength. The Industrilas Vision™ product family is the leading latching system for absolute protection against the elements. Vision swing handles are available in turn-to-latch versions where the door is locked by turning the key, or push-to-latch versions where the spring-loaded cam latches when the handle is pushed in. The handles come in acid-proof stainless steel or stainless steel.

GOING

BEYOND INDUSTRY STANDARDS

INDUSTRIAL LAMINATES & MACHINING CARBON & GLASS FIBRE TUBES

Making Innovation Happen for Our Customers SINCE 1868. PROACTIVE R&D and the SUPPORTIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE you expect from a UK family owned business are just two of the reasons World Leading Companies choose Attwater & Sons.

EXPERTS IN RAIL

sales@attwater.com +44 (0)1772 258 245 attwater.com

< Rolling Stock

Senoplast

Sheets and Films for Thermoforming and Lamination

enoplast is a leading company in producing sheets and films for thermoforming and lamination.

Senoplast Klepsch & Co. GmbH, founded in 1956 and having its international headquarters in Piesendorf, Austria, is a worldwide specialist in the production of coextruded plastic sheets and films for thermoforming. The family-

owned company focuses on the coextrusion of multilayer sheets and films; the field of application of the produced senosan® products ranges from the automotive to the sanitary, the furniture and the transport vehicles industry. Every year, around 50,000 tons of senosan® sheets and films are delivered from the main site in Piesendorf/Austria and the production facilities in Querétaro/ Mexico and Suzhou/China to around

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60 countries worldwide. In 2020 the family-owned company achieved a turnover of around 200 million euros and was internationally successful with an export ratio of over 90%. The companies employ 530 people in Austria and 740 worldwide. The trademark senosan® does not only stand for high-quality plastic sheets and films but also for an ecology-minded production. The innovative and high-quality plastic

Rolling Stock Components & Materials

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sheets and films made of ABS, ABS/PC, ASA, PMMA, PS and PC offer a wide range of applications. Senoplast delivers high-quality surfaces according to specific needs and offers customised solutions for the railway industry.

Thermoforming: A Very Economical Way to Provide Precise Parts for the Automotive Industry Thermoforming is a process for forming thermoplastics under the influence of heat and with the aid of compressed air or a vacuum. The process has increasingly found applications in the industrial sector. As an alternative to injection moulding, it is characterised by favourable mould costs and is

particularly economical for small and medium-sized series.

•

High thickness range from 2–5 mm

Flame Retardant Thermoformed Material for Interior Transportation Applications with senosan® C60FR-5

•

Lower density – only 1.3 g/cm3 (weight and cost reduction)

•

Almost double impact strength compared to the competition

•

Fulfils smoke density and surface flammability requirements for American rail applications (Docket 90-A and NFPA 130)

•

Material fulfils EN 45545-2, R1-HL2 & R6 HL2 requirements with regrind – even if material is painted

•

Antibacterial version (ISO 22196)

•

Matt surface appearance with light embossing or smooth

For the rail sector with its strong fire safety regulations Senoplast developed a material offering new opportunities for railway interior designers. The product senosan® C60FR-5 is a halogen-free flame retardant PC/ABS sheet with a matt surface and meets the European regulation EN455452, applications R1-HL2 and R6 HL2. The main advantages of the material are:

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Example 1: Roof panels – painted

Example 3: Wall cladding with LARGE window openings – offcuts can be reused in recycled material – material called senosan® C58FR-5 (also meets EN45545- R1, HL2 )

Example 2: Seat shells in Antibac version

•

Big sizes possible (sheet formats for example 2.2m x 6m) – limited only by what can be transported

•

Even with included recycled regrind the material reacts with more ductility than other materials

•

Halogen free

Sustainable Management and Recycling As a family business, Senoplast stands by its responsibility towards society, nature, the environment and the people who work here. Senoplast has chosen the Green Spirit as its motif. He stands for the way we think, our idea of what tomorrow’s world should look like,

and how we use the resources given to us. Senoplast sees itself as a pioneer of environmentally friendly industrial production methods and has received many awards for this. At Senoplast, sustainable management has a particularly high priority. The recycling concept developed by Senoplast ensures that almost all production and processing waste can be reused in the manufacturing process. In addition, the company has invested in a new regrind processing plant. This allows plastic recycled materials from the market to be processed accordingly and also used in production. The senocircle recycling system has been in use for more than 20 years. Unique in the plastics industry is the CO2 balance of the main plant in Piesendorf: the production of one kilogram of plastic sheet only produces 5.6

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grams of carbon dioxide. In addition, the company has been using a heat recovery system since 2003, which helps to save energy costs. For about five years, Senoplast has been purchasing electricity exclusively from renewable energy sources. For these activities, Senoplast was awarded the ‘Umweltblatt Salzburg’ prize for special environmental commitment in 2018. For more information please contact: Senoplast Klepsch & Co. GmbH Mr. Matthias Schmidl Divisional Sales Manager e: schmidl_m@senoplast.com p: +43 6549 7444 10220

www.senoplast.com

INSIDE THE TRAIN IS OUR PART.

High quality products and an ecology-minded production are the main items of our company. Our flame retardant PC/ABS sheets offer new opportunities for railway interior designers. MAIN ADVANTAGES OF SENOSAN C60FR-5 – flame retardant (halogen free) – matt appearance – ductile breaking behaviour (no shiver) – good recyclability – chemical resistance – good insulation properties

Antibac®

Hygiene is more important than ever. senosan® sheets have a special surface coating which reduces germs and bacteria by 99.9%.

Directory

Infrastructure Stations & Station Furniture AUWEKO

p.144

Railway Depot Equipment Totalkare

p.148

Emeg Group

p.149

Worksite Protection Harsco Rail

p.152

ZÖLLNER Signal GmbH

p.154

Track & Infrastructure Maintenance & Equipment Complete Composite Systems (CCS)

p.158

Powerlines Group

p.161

Focused Technology Solutions

p.162

Zetica Rail

p.165

Calenberg Ingenieure

p.166

Robel

p.168

Lankelma

p.172

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Litter bins for train stations

www.auweko.de

Stations & Station Furniture

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AUWEKO

< Infrastructure

Functional and Aesthetic Waste and Recycling Bins for Rail

or almost 30 years, AUWEKO has been a popular manufacturer and supplier of high-quality waste bins for public spaces. Rail companies are considered very important partners. In from the beginning: Deutsche Bahn AG. In the 1990s, AUWEKO

GmbH started to supply Deutsche Bahn AG with innovative waste bins as a contract partner. Together, the first wasteseparation bins were developed and the genuine “originals” were placed nationwide. Thousands of three and four-compartment bins were installed at railway stations, a pioneering effort by Deutsche Bahn AG to introduce the new recycling system which led to

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the reputation of Germans being recycling world champions. The separation bins came with largescale information boards with clear instructions that supported the correct separation, and had an enormous potential for recognition. Since then, the solutions have continued to improve. The waste disposal and recycling concepts of

the stations were optimised: fire protection, ergonomic opening procedures, modern pedestal ashtrays and bins with extralarge openings, for pizza boxes or lunch containers for example. The special requirements of the respective location are always kept in mind. And development is by no means over yet. In 2020, four-way separation was replaced by twoway separation at Deutsche Bahn AG as four-way separation led to frequent misdirected waste, making it difficult to separate and recycle the recyclable material. Service providers now sort and recycle valuable resources such as paper, glass, metal and plastics. In the future, 85 percent of the waste will be available for recycling as properly separated material. Of course, AUWEKO waste bins have certified and patented fire protection. This is the highest safety standard: funnel-shaped openings have been combined with special, sealed metal inner liners. This creates a selfextinguishing effect, flames and embers are smothered. This outstanding feature is recognised and appreciated not only by rail operators; the sophisticated models can also be found in numerous airports, shopping centres and amusement parks. The combination of pronounced fire protection and hygiene is convincing. In outdoor applications, the KENDO bins have proven their worth. With a sheet thickness of 2–3mm, sturdy curved outer walls and an extra-reinforced door with welded hinges, they have a particularly robust design and additional graffiti protection:

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A surface sealant gives dirt and graffiti hardly any surface to attack. Even graffiti with waterproof markers can be cleaned off without using harsh cleaning agents. (Even rain will wash off much of the contamination.) Unwanted stickers can easily be peeled off. This way, the high-quality appearance of the KENDO waste bins is maintained for many years and the costs of maintenance and cleaning are significantly reduced. Also indispensable for well-kept outdoor areas are high-quality ASHTRAYS for smoking areas, which visually provide an elegant place to stay. The easy-care design of the floor-standing ashtrays can be optionally equipped with a waste bin and information frame; and a concrete base variant for areas without mounting options is also part of the range. The latest models have been developed with a focus on significantly faster handling by service personnel, and vandalism protection has also been increased

(stronger material, design, etc.), especially for the ashtray top. All this at economically justifiable additional costs, which are quickly amortised by the short cleaning times alone. Only stainless steel (1.4301 / 1.4016) and galvanised or powder-coated sheet steel in thicknesses from 1.25–6mm are used for production. Shiny, approximately 85% recyclable material, which is predestined for continuous use, withstands high stresses and is preferred in medical facilities and the food industry for good reason, as it meets hygienic requirements in the best-possible way. The scratch and abrasionresistant stainless steel surfaces do not provide a suitable breeding ground for germs and enable simple but effective cleaning over a long period of time. The material does not react with cleaning agents or disinfectants and is not damaged. All recycling systems from AUWEKO are designed to be harmoniously

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adapted to the respective room and application situation and offer passengers a high level of operating comfort. This has not only convinced Deutsche Bahn: AUWEKO, with its extensive programme, the necessary flexibility and the will to innovate, has become a reliable partner for numerous rail companies (including ÖBB, Harmain Speedrail, Saudi Arabian Rail, CFL Luxembourg, SBB...) and is well prepared for future challenges.

LIFTING

SERVICING

TRAINING

LIFTING JACKS & PIT EXPERTS Lifting and inspection equipment you can rely on for all maintenance of rail vehicles. With 40 years’ experience on heavy duty lifting solutions, Totalkare combines world class products with industry leading support to facilitate effective maintenance and repair.

RAILWAY LIFTING JACKS HEAVY DUTY SYNCHRONISED RELIABLE

RAIL INSPECTION PITS INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY SAFE QUALITY LIGHTING

Emeg Group

< Infrastructure

Emeg Group Makes Dubai Debut at Middle East Rail 2021

f you happened to wander by Stand C20 at the Middle East Rail Expo at the Festival Arena in Dubai on 12 and 13 October, you will have seen one-stop-shop rail solution provider, Emeg Group, stabled alongside its client and exhibition partner, Etihad Rail.

The annual Middle East Rail exhibition and conference is a showcase of the best in rail innovation, technology and strategy from the world’s leading companies in the rail sector. Emeg was joined by more than 3,000 attendees, 100 guest speakers, over 150 fellow exhibitors and more regional and international government representatives than attend any other event.

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The Emeg stand was a showcase for a wide range of industryleading depot products, including carriage wash machines, fuelling systems, fume extraction, fluid mixing, air purification and ventilation, controlled emission toilets, shore supplies, heating and cooling, signalling, smart depot integration solution, depotCONNECT®, and Emeg’s intelligent Depot Protection System (DPS) with Network Rail

Railway Depot Equipment

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PADS-approved automatic derailer assembly, safeNet™. Visitors to the stand could experience Emeg products safeNet™, e-vac™, e-mix™, e-shore™ and a mobile all-weather wireless totem display via live demonstrations while having their questions answered by Emeg’s timeserved sales team and technical representatives. Visitors could also learn more about the specialist, rail-focused services Emeg provides, including design, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, engineering, manufacturing, distribution and maintenance. Emeg was honoured to host some very special visitors to the stand on day 1 of the show, in the form of H.E. Hassan Mohammed Juma Al Mansouri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in the UAE, accompanied by Christopher Heaton-Harris, the UK’s Minister of State for Transport. They were introduced to CEO of

Emeg Group, Richard Simmonite, and President of Emeg Group, Carl Backhouse, and were interested to learn more about Emeg’s role in the ongoing Etihad Rail project – the first national freight and passenger railway network connecting the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) railway network will connect the UAE with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman and is expected to be ready by 2024. Mr Simmonite said: “We were very pleased to welcome the VIP guests on to our stand and tell them about Emeg Group, introduce them to our products and services, and discuss our plans for further expansion into the UAE market. It was also great to be able to catch up with some familiar faces, including our partners at TS Pumps, and meet so many new potential clients and suppliers in person – at last!” Now in its 15th year, Middle East Rail is the largest and most established transport event in the Middle East,

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North Africa and South Asia, and Emeg Group was very proud to be Silver Sponsor of this prestigious international event. Middle East Rail is a platform for thought leaders in the global rail industry to meet, learn, share knowledge and best practice, and explore the very latest solutions for safe, secure, next-generation transportation systems. The technologies and partnerships on display hold the key to modernising international rail systems and pioneering the future of transportation as we know it. As rail technology progresses – with increasing vehicle speeds and passenger volumes – to meet the demands of the world’s rapidly expanding transport networks, the safety and security of assets, passengers, devices and infrastructure network-wide is absolutely paramount. That’s where an advanced, intelligent product like Emeg’s safeNet™ Depot Protection System – the world’s first DPS with integrated facial recognition technology – comes to the fore. The safeNet™ product meets

and exceeds the safety integrity requirements of SIL2 and has recently undergone a full revamp of the user interface, making it a more visual, intuitive experience for end-users and a system fit for the rigorous demands of rail transportation in 2021 and beyond. Mr Backhouse said: “Sponsoring the Middle East’s most important rail conference and exhibition consolidates Emeg Group’s expansion into international markets, with a particular focus on EMEA and some of the grandest, most ambitious and exciting rail projects taking place globally, including the design and build of the main depot at Al Faya – the largest and most important O&M facility in the Etihad Rail network in Abu Dhabi – and new projects for Saudi Arabia Railways.

“It was a real honour to attend this globally significant event and share our knowledge and expertise when it comes to rail safety technology, which is something we take great pride in. Our Nil-Accident Culture

HSE platform (have you got the NAC?) and impeccable safety record across our entire 25-year trading history are real feathers in our cap, so we’re always pleased to be given the opportunity to educate our customers, partners and peers on the importance of service, quality and most importantly, safety.”

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To find out more about Emeg Group and its unrivalled range of full turnkey depot products and in-house services, or to download the latest product catalogue, visit www.emeg.co.uk or call +44 (0)1246 268678 to learn how Emeg can improve safety, productivity and efficiency on your next rail project.

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Portable Train Detector Add to your work zones an additional layer of protection

The Protran Technology Portable Train Detector is used to alert track work crews of an approaching train. The system is used as a secondary warning to add a layer of safety to existing working procedures. The system is flexible, easy to install and alert any worksite area. The Perso-nal Alert Device (PAD) and Portable Warning Horn/Light (PWH&L) communicate with the Portable Train Detector. Once a train is detected, a signal is sent to the workers' PAD device, warning the crew of an approaching train and giving them sufficient time to clear the track.

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Protran TechJl-ology provides safety products to reduce accidents and fatalities in the railway industry.

Visit our website: protrantechnology.com Contact us: info.emea@harsco.com

PR □ TRAN TECHNOLOGY A Harsco Rail Company

Commissioning

Planning

Consulting

GET IN TOUCH // tracksafety@zollner-uk.co.uk // zoellner.de

Worksite Protection

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ZÖLLNER

< Infrastructure

Permanent Radio Warning Systems

or many years, the MRWS mobile radio warning system has been used to protect employees in track areas all over Europe. The components in the MRWS family can be combined modularly and flexibly, making it possible to always provide the best solutions for every worksite situation. One innovative method to protect worksites that require regular maintenance access are permanently installed warning systems. Examples are junctions, tunnels or bridges.

The ZPW can either be carried (mobile) or used as a stationary unit on a tripod

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Safety guard wearing a ZPW110 warning device

How It Works Train detectors are permanently installed at the sighting distance. The photo (Fig 1) shows a system where the whole train detection part of the system including the radio transmitter are installed in a location case and are permanently powered by mains. The radio transmitter covers the whole warning area as shown in the configuration graphics below (Fig 2). To use the system the warning devices simply need to be logged into the same radio group as the transmitters. The setting up time consequently is very low. The SIL4 failsafe architecture and the high availability of a permanently installed radio warning system highly increases the safety for the employees as well as reduces costs compared to conventional safety measures. For any further information please get in touch tracksafety@zollner-uk.co.uk

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Principle sketch of a location case

ZFS

Funkverbindung

F500-AB

ZPS

Power Supply

Terminal Block

F500 train detection

Mains Supply

Fig. 1 Location case // Wigston Junction Project

Configuration for a permanently installed warning system

Track 1

Quick worksite set-up

ZPW-12

Track 2 ZPW-110 mobile

F500

Track 3

Track 4 worksite location case

Fig. 2 Example installation for a permanent semi-automatic warning system (SATWS)

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Directory < Infrastructure

Complete Composite Systems (CCS)

Images show ARCOSYSTEM® Size Zero being installed at Mühldorf in Germany, as part of Deutsche Bahn’s digital expansion programme

Discover How ARCOSYSTEM® Is Boosting Digital Rail Communications

ith surging demand for a comprehensive upgrade of wifi coverage on rail networks across Europe, CCS’s innovative cable troughing product ARCOSYSTEM® is leading the way in making this mission a reality. Many national rail companies throughout the continent are setting out ambitious plans to

upscale the quality of their digital communications. In Germany work is already well under way, with Deutsche Bahn aiming to equip its entire 33,400km national network with fibre-optic technology by 2027. Denmark has announced similar plans for its railway lines, while in the UK the West Coast Main Line is to undergo a £45m upgrade which will see enhancements to wifi and

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4G coverage, improving digital performance, safety and passenger telecoms. ARCOSYSTEM®, CCS’s cable management system constructed of lightweight yet robust troughs made from pultruded fibrereinforced polymers (FRP), is renowned for safely housing power, signal and high-voltage cables.

Track & Infrastructure Maintenance & Equipment

The newly developed ARCOSYSTEM® Size Zero, again made from FRP composite, is designed to fit and protect fibre-optic cables within a secure cell of 53mm x 56mm (2952mm2). Due to difficult terrain or limited space along railway lines, it is not always technically possible to install conventional routing systems for protecting fibre-optic cables. The flexible ARCOSYSTEM® Size Zero, however, can be fastened to the ground, wall-mounted or attached to bridges, and is also designed to be installed safely on a slope or in areas affected by snow drifts. CCS’s Swiss partner, Castioni Kabelführungssysteme GmbH, manufacturer of ARCOSYSTEM®, is an approved supplier for Deutsche Bahn. Installing the Size Zero product trackside to house and protect fibre-optic cables will help minimise disturbances to operational traffic and reduce the risk of theft and vandalism, while securing highly optimised uptime. Having a routing system dedicated for this purpose also helps to separate digital and signalling communications, bringing reliability, availability and maintainability to modern rail cabling systems. The requirements for digital connectivity have never been higher. In Germany the strategy is to spread broadband coverage across the entire travel chain, from the trainline to each and every station, with speeds increasing from 20 GB/s in 2017 to 250 GB/s by the end of 2022. The plan also aims to achieve comprehensive digital performance deep into rural areas, improving mobile phone reception and wifi coverage for all, wherever they are travelling. It is believed that digitally controlled trains and interlockings can bring more

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traffic to the rail network, with customers benefiting from more reliable and punctual connections, while the new cables can also be used to digitalise the adjacent areas. More detailed technical information about ARCOSYSTEM® Size Zero, such as mechanical, electrical and fire properties as well as system data and drawings, is available on request by contacting the technical team at Complete Composite Systems. The product’s exclusive UK stockist is Scott Parnell.

Complete Composite Systems Ltd 503 Broadway Letchworth Hertfordshire SG6 3PT info@complete composites.co.uk +44 1462 659 876

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Powerlines Group System supplier for rail electrification

www.powerlines-group.com

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The Battery-Operated Tool Revolution is Taking Over the Rail Industry L ife on a maintenance of way (MOW) crew is not an easy one. At times it can be gruelling – definitely not a job for the faint of heart.

For years and years, the jobs of MOW railroading crews have revolved around the use of hydraulic and gas-powered tools and the vehicles used to support them. When crews have a line of ties to work on for repairs, they must get out all the oversized, bulky hydraulic and/or gas tools and go through the excruciating process of transport and set-up, which takes hours and is frustrating and exhausting.

To this point, those hydraulic and gas-powered tools and vehicles have allowed railroaders to get by on the job, but at a cost: •

Hydraulics and gases are dirty and toxic

•

They are dangerous for the environment and railroaders

•

Fuel disposal and transportation are expensive

•

The tools restrict railroaders’ range of motion

•

They make it nearly impossible to work in tight spaces like bridges and tunnels

•

They take forever to set up

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You can easily see why Focused Technology Solutions’ dual-use, battery-operated tools for railway emergency response are your best choice to solve most railway emergencies, anytime and anywhere. The Focused Technology Solutions’ battery-operated tool suite solves several major issues. Since 2018, Focused TS has been developing battery-operated tools for maintenance of way crews to make their jobs and lives easier while minimising liability risks for railroads all around the globe. Since Focused Technology’s tools are all battery-operated, there is no need for those large vehicles, dirty hydraulic fluids and oversized generators, eliminating setup time and making the job much easier for railroaders.

Track & Infrastructure Maintenance & Equipment The emergency response tool kit includes: •

‘DrillEase’ tie drill

•

‘LagEase’ lag remover

•

‘SpikeEase’ spike puller

•

‘SpikeForce’ spike driver

•

‘PowerForce’ mini battery generator

•

‘PowerExtender’ 85-AMP hour battery-extender

•

‘EclipEase’ e-clip inserter

•

‘RailEase’ rail drill

“We’re really proud of the work we’ve done to give railroaders all the tools they’ll need for an emergency situation on the job,” Peter Bartek, President of Focused Technology Solutions, said.

“Our battery-operated tool set allows us to reach our ultimate goal: to make the railroad industry safer and more eco-friendly than ever before.” Now that railroaders can eliminate hoses and generators from the job,

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track maintenance in tight spaces such as tunnels and bridges is simple. The tools are all lighter than their hydraulic counterparts – the LagEase, DrillEase and SpikeEase, for instance, all weigh under 30lbs – providing railroaders with a solution that puts far less physical strain on their bodies. Class I railroads all around North America, and other major railways internationally, have been raving about Focused TS’s suite of batterypowered rail tools.

To learn more information about Focused TS’s emergency response toolset, and how you can get a quote, go to focusedts.com/ emergencyresponse.

The Future of Rail is Here

Battery-operated tools - Hydraulic-free Perfect for emergency - No setup time required response situations - Lightweight - Perfect for jobs in tight spaces - Uses standard, off-the-shelf batteries Get a Quote Today +1 (973) 705-7170 info@focusedts.com focusedts.com

Above- and below-ground trackbed inspection for condition-based maintenance planning.

Zetica are leading providers of train- and hi rail-mounted trackbed inspection and asset mapping RASC® services in Asia, Australasia, North and South America, Europe and Africa, combining GPR, trackbed surface imaging, 360º LiDAR, 3D laser and panoramic video to address… GPR radargrams Search engine

Panoramic camera view

Track geometry

Trackbed surface images

Fouled ballast 360

Mud holes and drainage problems Ballast pocket occurrence and growth Formation renewal decision support Sleeper damage and missing fasteners Root cause analysis of track geometry defects Work order recommendations Quality control of trackbed maintenance RASC® survey metrics

Map with KML metric overlays Mileage / kilometerage navigation

3D and 2D laser point clouds

HEAD OFFICE Zetica House Southfield Road, Eynsham Oxfordshire, OX29 4JB United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 1993 886682 Email: rail@zetica.com

zeticarail.com

ROBEL RAIL TREATMENT. The end to end solution for modern rail maintenance.

ROMILL

Rail Treatment System • Eliminates even deep rail defects in one pass • Reprofiles regardless of track geometry and condition • Emission optimized and with no sparks or contaminants

www.robel-railtreatment.com

Robel

< Infrastructure

Robel E³ Battery Technology: Economic. Ecologic. Ergonomic.

Picture 1: Robel E³ machine fleet: 13.45 MD grinding machine, 76.20 high-pressure hydraulic aggregate, 62.20L vertical tamper, 30.20 impact wrench, 13.90 rail cutter, 10.20 rail drilling machine, 70.03 power supply, 12.20 rail band saw, all powered by exchangeable high-performance batteries © Robel

lobal climate protection targets call for alternative, environmentally friendly technologies.

Railway as a traditionally “green” means of transport plays a significant role in this scenario. To reach decarbonisation ambitions, the sector as a whole needs to come up with new, clean concepts. In railway construction,

one focus lies on the development of alternative drives for vehicles and hand-operated machines. International demand is high – distributors worldwide expect 40% of all track construction machines to be battery-operated by 2025. Robel has been developing new drive and power supply technologies for their hand-operated construction machines for years. As far back as 2013, the company presented a rail drilling machine and an impact wrench with modular rechargeable

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battery packs for zero-emission and ergonomic work on the track. The lithium batteries together with high-performance electric motors have since become a true alternative to the combustion engine, providing high performance and durability as well as comfortable working. In 2021, Robel, as partner company of Plasser & Theurer, has adopted the renowned E³ brand for its complete battery product range (picture 1).

Track & Infrastructure Maintenance & Equipment

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The Battery-Powered Worksite That the expansion of the batterypowered fleet of machines has a top priority at Robel, can be seen from the considerable growth of the company’s ‘battery family’. Beside the rail band saw and the vertical tamper which already have a proven range of use in track maintenance, there is a new battery high-pressure hydraulic aggregate to operate both, the rail stressor and the weld trimmer (picture 2). All these machines are powered by the same interchangeable batteries. This group is complemented by further electric machines such as a rail cutter, a welding joint grinding machine and a hybrid rail head profile grinding machine (picture 3), that can either be driven by battery or power supply. With this machinery pool, it is possible for the first time to implement a complete rail

Picture 2: One battery-powered high-pressure hydraulic aggregate operates two machines: the rail stressor and weld trimmer © Robel

exchange with battery-powered machines only.

Modular Design for More Sustainability All the Robel family of batterypowered machines work with the same battery pack – a lithium-ion based accumulator with a voltage level of either 43 or 52 Volts and different capacities – 400, 700 and

2300Wh (picture 4). The battery is firmly secured to the machine through form-fit and position lock, yet it can be released with just two actions by hand. Sustainability is a key argument in favour of alternative drives. Regardless of the task ahead, one battery charge is sufficient for at least one work shift, and usually much longer. With the rail cutter, a trained member of staff carries out up to 16 cuts per battery charge. The cordless impact wrench does more than 600 tightening cycles without reloading; the battery performance of the high-pressure power pack is enough for work at several welding points. After 500 loading cycles, the capacity is still 80%. The battery pack is completely maintenance-free. The machines themselves are capable of operating fault-free for many years due to their sturdy design and low wear.

Less Weight & HAVs for Improved Ergonomics and Safety Picture 3: Due to its hybrid drive concept, the 13.49 rail head grinding machine is half as heavy as common grinders and delivers accurate pattern in less time © Robel

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The latest generation of electric motors is considerably smaller and lighter than their predecessors

with the same output. There are no fuel tanks or handling of fuel, no hot exhausts or engine parts during operation. Furthermore, the machine operators profit from considerably less hand-arm vibrations and are no longer exposed to engine fumes or a high level of noise. The compact motor opens up new possibilities for its positioning on the machine, e.g. to optimise its centre of gravity. Thus, operation and transport of the machine require considerably less effort.

So Quiet and Clean, They Can Be Used Everywhere It has become increasingly difficult for track construction sites in noise-sensitive areas to be accepted by local residents and local authorities due to the intolerable noise levels, especially at night. The use of batterypowered machines and tools reduces the on-site noise levels considerably: the Robel battery rail band saw is verifiably 10 times quieter than a comparable cutting device with a combustion engine.

In some other cases, maintenance only becomes possible with alternative drives, for instance, where the use of fuel is forbidden by law, such as in certain tunnels. In terrain that is difficult to access it can be a huge benefit for operators if the machines can be transported easily by hand over longer distances with little effort. Here, the battery-powered machines come into their own due to their lightweight design. Also, a lot less material is moved to the work site as the replacement batteries are the same for all machines.

The Question of Cost – Why Battery Technology Pays Off For the maintenance company the total cost of ownership (TCO), made up of procurement, service life and maintenance costs, is a key consideration. The TCO of batterypowered machines and tools always comes up trumps. A 2- or 4-stroke engine has around 200 parts, many of which are

moving. The brushless electric motor essentially consists of the stator, rotor and the bearing, making it completely maintenance-free. Furthermore, a battery-powered drilling machine or impact wrench will not require a gearbox for right-left rotation, which increases the availability of the machine even further. Monitoring and routine activities, such as filling up with fuel, oil change and filter cleaning as well as the considerable spare parts logistics, including storage, in the case of combustion engines are a thing of the past. Add to this the cost savings during operation: machines powered by electric motors are, unlike combustion engines, ready to be operated on site straight away, at full speed and performance, without the need for a warm-up phase. No more cold start attempts, which are often required for petrol engines in cold weather. Faster drilling and wrenching cycles increase the work output per shift. Intelligent design, LED lighting of the work area and the positioning of the switches and handles, deliver a better work result in shorter time. More about the ROBEL E³ machinery pool: https://www. robel.com/en/e3/

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RAIL SITE INVESTIGATION CONE PENETRATION TESTING (CPT) GEOTECHNICAL INSTALLATIONS Over 15 years in the rail industry

Specialist site investigation for earthwork and track design.

Highly experienced field operatives

With dedicated road-rail CPT trucks, an RRV mounted CPT unit, and specialist CPT units, we can undertake investigations in all areas of the trackway.

Rapid mobilisation

We offer high production and cost-effective investigations, providing quality results in real-time.

01797 280050

lankelma.com

< Infrastructure

Rail Ground Investigation

stablished in 1999, Lankelma has grown to become a world leader in specialist Cone Penetration Test (CPT) site investigations. Their qualified, highly experienced field operatives and an extensive fleet of CPT equipment can be mobilised anywhere in the UK at short notice. With over 15 years of experience working in the rail industry, Lankelma can perform ground investigations in all areas of the trackway.

CPT is a technique for soil testing that is ideal for rail investigations because it is quiet, produces minimal disturbance and spoil, and can achieve deeper penetration (depending on the geology). Time is critical when working in a rail possession and CPT offers fast assessment of soil conditions under the track with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability. A CPT is performed by pushing an instrumented cone into the ground at a constant rate, with measurements recorded every 20mm.

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CPT investigations characterise subsurface materials in situ, produce continuous profiles, and determine soil parameters including soil type, in situ stress conditions and shear strength for use in geotechnical design. Highquality results are available in realtime which allows engineers to take decisions on site during the ground investigation. This is particularly useful when identifying the best locations for further investigation, especially as detection of potential problems is of paramount importance on the railway.

Track & Infrastructure Maintenance & Equipment

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As the use of CPT in railway investigations has grown, Lankelma has developed specialist rail CPT plant and equipment specifically designed for ground investigations in the four main rail environments: track bed, embankments, tunnels and stations. These rail CPT plant can be used with the full range of standard and specialist cones and be used to install instrumentation. Provided there is sufficient reaction force and a power supply, CPTs can be carried out almost anywhere.

CPT Units One of the biggest innovations in rail CPT site investigation in recent years has been Lankelma’s oneof-a-kind road-rail CPT truck – the world’s first dedicated rail CPT truck. It arrives by road and accesses the track from level crossings or authorised road-rail access points (RRAP) using the central turntable mechanism and rail wheels. This capability of the self-contained

truck allows rapid mobilisation and transports the operatives along with all testing equipment between positions, meaning multiple CPTs in the four-foot can be caried out in a short period of time. The rail CPT truck has significantly improved productivity in rail site investigation. For ground investigations on other areas of the trackway, Lankelma’s rail excavator-mounted CPT unit may be the answer. The CPT unit attaches to the arm of an RRV excavator; the excavator then manoeuvres the self-contained unit to each test position. Testing can be carried out in the cess, six-foot, tenfoot, up and down embankments and cuttings. Site investigations in challenging environments like tunnels and stations are also possible. Lankelma has developed lightweight, handmobilised CPT rams suitable for testing positions with access restrictions. These rams are bolted

into position to gain reaction and can test in multiple orientations. The same equipment, which is electrically powered, and therefore quiet, is suitable for testing within open stations, tunnels or on platforms.

Projects Lankelma have been involved in rail investigations for electrification schemes, emergency slips/faults on track, track upgrades and embankment stability work. The rail CPT truck helped gather highquality ground information for the reconstruction of a failed section of railway embankment at Wrecclesham, Surrey. Network Rail discovered that a 250-metre section of the embankment had failed, causing the track to settle. Emergency stabilisation works allowed safe reopening of the line and work began to find a permanent solution. Lankelma carried out ten CPTs over a single shift along the failed section. Tests were carried out in the four-foot, through one-metre-thick ballast and into the sand and clay below, to a maximum depth of eleven metres. This information was used to help characterise the embankment material and the geology beneath. Ground investigations to support Network Rail’s South Wales ReSignalling project involved working over a series of seven-hour Saturday night shift possessions. Lankelma’s rail CPT truck was ideal, able to travel quickly and carry out multiple CPTs along the 35 track-mile length of the scheme during the short possessions, covering new signals, location cases and functional supply points. Following the identification of embankment instability on several rail assets in Hampshire and Somerset, Lankelma responded to

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the needs of an urgent requirement for geotechnical definition by delivering preliminary soil stratification, pore pressure and geotechnical parameter derivations within one week of completion. The rail CPT truck and excavatormounted CPT unit carried out investigations at three sites over ten twelve-hour shifts. As part of a scheme to improve London’s transport network, Lankelma was procured to carry out CPTs at Finsbury Park tube station. Using a lightweight mobile CPT unit anchored to the walls of the station’s stairwell, horizontal testing was performed. Four horizontal CPTs were pushed 14 metres into the wall to provide an assessment of the current structural arrangement.

head office facilitates development of its rail-specific CPT units and maintenance of equipment. Inhouse mechanics ensure all rail plant is compliant with standards so they can offer a first-class service to clients. Lankelma are RISQ-accredited, trading as a specialist ‘plant hire’

company under Network Rail’s Plant Operator Scheme (POS), and all ontrack rail plant are VAB approved. Lankelma has recently expanded their rail capabilities with a second track-mounted CPT unit. The latest addition is cutting-edge technology and will assist to speed up rail investigations.

to discuss your rail site investigation info@lankelma.com +44 (0)1797 280 050

Rail Ground Investigations

www.lankelma.com

A rail track facility at Lankelma’s

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Shape the future. With a strong financing partner. We support companies that invest in the future. This makes us a strong partner for Germany’s and Europe’s export industry. As a specialist for project and export financings carried out internationally, KfW IPEX-Bank has been standing by its industry clients for over 60 years. We assist all those who shape their own future – with long-term, fit-to-form financing structures designed by our professional experts. The future belongs to those who think ahead. Let’s shape it together. kfw-ipex-bank.de

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Financial Services KfW IPEX-Bank

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Simulation & Testing VUZ

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Nexeya – A Hensoldt Company

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Staff Training & Equipment Bollé Safety

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CTM – powered by Sopra Steria

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VUZ

Why Test in the Czech Republic? We can test using all of Europe’s main power systems, run at up to 230km/h, and we certify, evaluate conformity, authorise, and can provide all the necessary facilities.

he Railway Research Institute (VUZ) in the Czech Republic is a unique accredited testing facility for rolling stock, components, and makers of infrastructure from Europe and Asia.

VUZ tests locomotives, performs dynamic component tests, ETCS

tests, evaluates NoBo/DeBo interoperability, AsBo security, and provides accredited certification of products. VUZ’s large (13.276km) and small tracks (3.951km) can be found near Prague and are equipped with tracks and facilities for static tests as well. The large track can test at speeds of up to 200km/h

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(or 230km/h in the case of tilting trains) and is equipped with all levels of ETCS combinations. The small track serves to test slower speeds and sharper turns. There is also the opportunity to combine five different European power systems (0.75kV, 1.5kV, and 3kV in DC, 25kV 50HZ and 15kV 16 2/3HZ for AC). That means up to five separate teams can independently perform tests on five cars at once.

Each year, VUZ invests 2.5 million euros to improve infrastructure for our customers. For example, we completed the expansion of our siding track this year, with increased capacity for trains between planned tests. We plan a cumulative investment of 20 million euros over the next five years where we are preparing to outfit the smaller track with all levels of ETCS as well as adjustments to test autonomous vehicles including urban and suburban trains. We are also preparing environmentally friendly energy production. Today, VUZ already guarantees that all electricity used by customers is made exclusively from renewable resources as VUZ emphasises constantly reducing its carbon footprint.

“Interest in testing at the test track is constant. We serve customers from all over Europe and Asia. We are currently accepting reservations for 2024 on the large track. The smaller track has more flexibility in terms of capacity, and producers can get on it sooner. But our company is not just about test tracks! I understand that’s what Europe associates with us; It’s

Simulation & Testing

We’re Investing Up to €20 Million

on our logo after all. But we also perform hundreds of dynamic and static tests of trains and locomotives, as well as individual parts. We prepare turnkey testing for companies so they don’t have to transport their vehicles all over Europe and everything can be tested in one place in the Czech Republic,” VUZ CEO Martin Bělčík said. VUZ’s testing labs are among the most advanced in Europe and our loyal customers include the largest makers of railcars in the world, including Alstom and Bombardier Transportation, Siemens, Škoda Transportation, CRRC, PESA and more. Hundreds of cars have been tested in Czechia, both regional trains and new locomotives. Producers are increasingly testing hybrid units and the legendary

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German ICEs and French TGVs also underwent testing here. The institute also includes the Dynamic Testing Institute that load tests components for rail and road vehicles and infrastructure parts. The lab’s uses are exceptionally broad and exceed just rail transport. It also serves component makers from the automotive and other industries. Load tests for chassis frames are one of the most common tests in rail transport, as are tests of axle bearings, harness strength, rail anchoring, thermodynamic wheel and brake tests, and tests of entire wheelsets. VUZ operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year where teams have access to all the facilities they need, including storage, office space, and high-quality lodgings at cooperating businesses.

Directory < Services

Electrical Interconnect Test Solutions & Integration Test Benches For more than 30 years, Nexeya has been delivering electrical interconnect test solutions and integration test benches, helping our customers deliver safety, efficiency and speed to their design, manufacturing and service operations.

Today’s Advanced Electrical Systems Require Innovative Test Solutions & Features Electrical interconnect test solutions: the MPT product line offers enhanced modular hardware and software, industry leading test speeds, virtually unlimited integration and expansion options and a complete suite of operator guidance tools to make testing even easier and more automated than ever before.

Test Optimisation and Time Saving Features Test Re-engage Saves time by enabling the operator to pause the test and troubleshoot an error, re-engaging the test at the point of repair and eliminating the need to repeat the already verified test sequences.

Mass Hi-Pot Provides complete test coverage in a fraction of the time required by conventional linear test methods.

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Integration Test Benches • • • • • • • • •

Model / software / hardware in the loop test systems Metro / train line integration and validation ATC equipment test and validation Test automation COTS & custom electronics development System validation and verification Modelling and simulation Interoperability testing Real-time testing

Measure & Energise The M&E feature is available for all test points reducing overall test times.

Activation & Energisation Enables the energisation of functions during the test sequence, saving time and enhancing troubleshooting efforts.

SuperTrace Colour-coded connectivity mapping optimising troubleshooting.

Scan Testing High-frequency test intervals ideal for high-stress, vibration and thermal cycle testing.

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Case Study: Nexeya Applies Own Aviation Test Platform to the Rail Market For more than 15 years, Nexeya has conducted testing of aircraft backplanes and power distribution cabinets using an innovative methodology that is embedded into several offerings. Military and commercial aircraft are complex and require extensive safety and performance verification and validation, both during the production process and at set maintenance intervals. An aviation OEM approached Nexeya with a challenge: 8 hours of setup time was required to run a 15-minute test.

Nexeya delivered a test system which reduced the setup time by 55%. Since that initial development, Nexeya has continued to refine the methodology and reduced the time from the original 8 hours to less than 10 minutes. • • • •

Increased test coverage and test reliability Reduced testing costs Increased manpower utilisation Payback of 14 months

Nexeya witnessed a rail application where the rolling stock OEM was experiencing similar challenges to our aviation partner: a large number of test points accompanied with long setup times and a high probability

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of troubleshooting and retests due to the number of test points and complexity of the test configuration. In addition, operators found test setup cumbersome and stressful due to the large number of test cables, cable routing and cable weights. With some modification to our aviation test solution, Nexeya developed a similar offering for our rail partner. Today, they enjoy a much shorter setup time which benefits them economically but, more importantly, provides a much safer environment for operators. Nexeya’s ability to take our experiences from one industry and apply the benefits to other markets is one of our key value propositions.

Testimonials Bombardier Transportation: “Nexeya Canada, Inc. has provided quality wire test systems to Bombardier Transportation Americas for over 20 years, and in that time, their products and solutions have proven to be exceptionally reliable, robust, and cost effective. In compliment of their great products, Nexeya Canada, Inc. has provided outstanding service and customer support. “Overall, Nexeya Canada, Inc. has had a close, and mutually beneficial, relationship with Bombardier that is expected to continue well into the future.”

Electrical Engineering | MARTA Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority: “With the challenge of establishing a test area dedicated to our electric couplers, we did not want to use the current methodologies, we approached Nexeya for a novel solution. Nexeya presented a solution based on their proven EZX-1510 product line. “The team was incredibly easy to work with, assisting us with the system selection and modification. All adapter requirements were based on a standard offering which provided custom configurations at low prices. We are very impressed with the speed and ease of use of the equipment, worked wonderfully out of the box.”

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For more than 30 years, Nexeya has been delivering electrical interconnect test solutions and integration test benches, helping our customers

deliver safety, efficiency and speed to their design, manufacturing and service operations.

Electrical Interconnect Test Solutions Integration Test Benches

Bollé Safety Introduces Go Green < Services

The PPE eyewear specialist introduces Go Green: concrete actions to protect the environment. Bollé Safety wants to do its part to protect the planet. In 2021, the global brand for eye protection is kicking into high gear with its Go Green plan. Sustainability: A LongTerm Process

friendly materials, products and processes, while always preserving the quality and protection it offers.

Bollé Safety’s products have been packaged in recyclable BPA-free plastic bags since 2005. But as a company selling millions of units annually, it wishes to do more on every aspect of its production and distribution processes.

Introducing the Ecopack: 100% recyclable packaging made from recycled cardboard and tissue paper. The user-instruction is printed directly on the overwrap with vegetable-based ink to avoid all plastic. By optimising its product design, it also reduces the amount of raw material required during production, as well as the packaging weight. It produces 30% less waste than before, improving its carbon footprint during transportation.

With the Go Green programme, all of its eco-friendly improvements add up to reach one goal: to become a certified B Corporation by 2023, and meet the most rigorous standards of environmental performance, for its stakeholders’ benefits.

Focusing on Green Research and Development Its R&D and production departments are committed to developing more environmentally

More Sustainable Technologies and Raw Materials A focus on eco-friendly products: SOLIS and KLASSEE. With its nylon frame made from 100% recycled fishing nets, SOLIS is EN166-compliant and embodies the company’s R&D effort

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towards sustainability. KLASSEE’s (prescription) bio-based frame is made from castor oil. Extra efforts: By using the latest technologies, Bollé Safety also reduces energy consumption and waste production during manufacturing (injection, moulding). Some of the coatings are waterbased to reduce the use of chemicals when possible. Sustainability has never been more necessary than today. It is time for action. This is the reason why Bollé Safety decided, as a company, to become more conscious. To find out more about our actions, visit https://bit.ly/3upLgy5

Staff Training & Equipment

Directory

A smarter way to manage training and competency management? Brilliant. Easily find training

Make finding the right training, in the right location more simple with CTM’s easy-to-use, one-stop shop competency management portal

Save time

Reduce administration time and resource with the platforms integrated and free to use competency management system

Simplified forward planning Innovative tools simplify forward planning, helping to book staff training and keep workforce fully operational

Inform your decisions

Exciting digital tool uses advanced analytics to assist employees with informed decision making and highlight revenue opportunities for training providers

“CTM will have a hugely positive impact for both large and small businesses alike. CTM’s ability to mark out training and provide expiration reminders, or whilst removing the task of finding providers to deliver training, is incomparable to our previous processes.” Emma Hughes, Costain

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discover more and request a free demo at

competencytrainingmarketplace.com

Sara Reynolds Business Development Manager +44 (0) 7709 504610 sara.reynolds@soprasteria.com

07/10/2021

< Services

Competency Training Marketplace

– powered by Sopra Steria Sopra Steria Joins Rail’s Digital Revolution

t is an exciting time for the UK rail industry with plenty of major projects in the pipeline such as Great North Rail, Crossrail and East West Rail.

Innovative digital solutions are positively impacting UK rail users with seamless online booking processes and cheaper, more reliable travel. With technological developments and a complex regulatory environment to

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navigate, employers need a fast and simple competency management solution. Sopra Steria, a European leader in digital services, has created a platform that offers exactly that with its Competency Training Marketplace™ (CTM).

Staff Training & Equipment

Directory

An Effective Solution Did you know that a recent survey* showed 75% of employers feel their existing competency management tools could be improved by an integrated marketplace? CTM is an easy-to-use, one-stop platform which enables organisations to book and manage workforce training all in one place. The platform creates stronger connections between training providers and employers with a marketplace full of industryaccredited training providers offering a number of essential qualifications from person track safety (PTS) to strategic safety management programmes and more. For ease, the price, location

and date filters reduce huge amounts of admin time previously spent browsing search engines to find the same results. CTM’s in-built project planning and forecasting tools show which staff are sufficiently qualified for upcoming projects and which employees have imminently expiring qualifications – useful for those managing many projects at one time. If a qualification is expiring users will be alerted via email and the integrated marketplace ensures a seamless booking experience for the necessary training. The skills gap analysis tool can quickly and visually demonstrate which training is needed by employees to work on a project.

“CTM will have a hugely positive impact for both large and small businesses alike. CTM’s ability to mark out training and provide expiration reminders, all whilst removing the task of finding providers to deliver training, is incomparable to our previous processes.” Emma Hughes of Costain 190

Regulatory compliance may seem daunting, but with integrated technology like CTM it is easy to demonstrate effective staff compliance when pitching for bids and undertaking audits.

Adopted by the Industry It is no surprise that many organisations are now looking at how they digitalise processes to meet demands and improve efficiencies. Trawling search engines for suitable courses and juggling multiple spreadsheets can cause significant administrative headaches, which are prone to mistakes – leading to potential project delays and missed opportunities. CTM is quickly becoming an essential tool in the

rail industry, with organisations like Arcadis, Costain and AHL Resourcing Solutions joining over the past 12 months. If you are interested in finding out more, visit CTM’s website and request a free demo from the team: https:// competencytrainingmarketplace. com/  Follow CTM on LinkedIn for news and updates: https://www.linkedin. com/company/competencytraining-marketplace-ctm

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Our Brands a2b Global Media Ltd is an online publishing company specialising in the transport sector. Through our brands – Railway-News, Airport Industry-News, Bus-News and Future Transport-News – we provide readers with the latest developments in those transport sectors via our websites and quarterly magazines. Readers will also get detailed information about industry events and above suppliers providing products & services to the transport sector. The aim of our brands is to be a one-stop-shop resource for readers and give suppliers the all-important reach they need to feature their activities.

Transport is the backbone of society. We’re here to cover it.