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In order to ensure efficient operation of freight vehicles, information about individual carriers and their freight during transportation must be available to different stakeholders of railway operation. Under the topic of an “intelligent freight car", this paper illustrates the use of sensors for instant detection and assessment of different conditions of vehicle movement and operation. Based on special railway requirements, concepts for flat spot detection, freight loading as well as shunting impacts are discussed. In addition, the paper outlines necessary telematics for positioning and communication, which are important for the implementation of compact telematics. The investigations took place as part of the research project Smart Rail Cargo (compact retrofittable telematics system for intelligent freight cars) within the framework of the funding program “Central Innovation Programme for SMEs" of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ballast quality influences the opposing behavior of renewal and maintenance costs, the sum of which makes up an important part of the life cycle costs of the railway superstructure. The optimal ballast quality results from the minimum of costs. Finding them requires the clarification of three basic questions: First, how is the quality of the ballast defined? Second: What influence does the ballast quality have on maintenance? Third, what is the relationship to life cycle costs? The present paper contains a method for answering these three questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rail wear is easy to measure, but the calculation of the permissible wear (al loss of cross section) is a challenge. Only in a few mechanical engineering fields is a strength analysis in a corrosive environment with simultaneously loss of cross section necessary. Part 1 shows an approach of the probabilistic calculation of the acting loads with a modern lifetime calculation is presented, which allows a more differentiated dimensioning of the permissible rail wear with knowledge of local load distribution processes. This requires a good database, which Switzerland now can use after a longtime of preparation. An overview is given of the distribution of guiding forces, modules of subsoil as well as the changes of load distribution in the overall network. Part 1 concludes with the presentation of the calculation tool and exemplary results. Part 2 of the paper will present the key functionality - the differentiated load mapping - as well the potential reduction of rail exchange in SBB's network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In railway systems, timetables and infrastructure are key components for satisfying transport needs. In order to find a feasible configuration that satisfies the complex set of requirements, numerous timetables and track topologies have to be evaluated. Therefore, there is an immense need for automatic timetable and track topology design. This paper discusses the concept of creating abstraction layers based on a data model to support and simplify these designs. It uses different state-of-the-art models and combines them so that all aspects of railway operation are included. Using this method, a layer model has been developed that was inspired by the OSI Reference Model and takes current developments such as the UIC RailTopoModel into consideration. Possible applications of such a layer model are the automatic generation of timetables and track topologies, as well as entrance data for synchronous railway simulations for capacity evaluation, and a universal representation of a railway network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to calculate, simulate, and optimize the energy demand of train runs, the running resistances have to be modeled. Mostly, simplified - e.g. the Davis equation - or approximated formulas for part resistances are used. This also applies for the aerial resistance: for cw value, effective surface area, air density, and relative air speed, either approximate or norm values are used in general. Contrariwise, aerodynamic investigations show that the aerial resistance does not decay with the cosine of the increasing yaw angle as the use of relative air speed indicates; in contrast, the aerial resistance increases up to a yaw angle of 60°. In this paper, a numerical model including this phenomenon is presented; moreover, wheel flange contact occurrence as consequence of side wind forces is discussed. The presented case studies confirm that the wind and its yaw angle may have a relevant influence on the energy demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper discusses the application of Life Cycle Assessment on three different types of rail track (ballasted track with wooden sleepers, concrete sleepers and concrete sleepers with under sleeper pads) used within the Austrian rail network. A comparison is carried out between the environmental impacts of these superstructure configurations throughout their whole life cycle. This includes production, installation, removal and maintenance as well as disposal. The functional unit is defined as the “provision of 1 km double track for a year". Additional parameters are determined to ensure a reasonable comparability. The results show that the prolongation of service life caused by under sleeper pads reduces the environmental impact per year significantly. Thus, this type of superstructure can be considered the most environmentally friendly, whereas wooden track shows the highest environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses a proposal for a simplistic reference system for railways, which is intended to promote a common basic operational understanding and contribute to operational interoperability. Railways are obtained in quite constrained and discrete space leading to an incomparity with that of a road or pedestrian system as a person cannot participate in its operation as an individual. Beginning with a simplified railway system, which includes simplified vehicles and elements of infrastructure, individual vehicle movements are analyzed in a fictive environment. In this case, it is determined that an extensive infrastructure need is required for an individual driving behavior. To run a railway system under good economical conditions, control and signaling technology is in use. Taking this into consideration a simplistic reference system can be defined, in that substantial system characteristics and functional aims are considered. This allows a delimitation of railway against other transport systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deutsche Bahn AG and the German Railway Industry Association (VDB) are going to build up a quality partnership in the development of railway vehicles and have for this purpose signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Based on the target to improve the whole development process within the scope of purchasing projects this paper describes the layout of a quality engineering structured in the three levels of principles, systematics and methods. The single elements of this quality engineering will be introduced, the advantages of its application for the participants of railway and railway industry which are involved in the process will be pointed out. Finally the paper is concluded by the next steps leading up to the installation of quality engineering as a regular procedure of Deutsche Bahn AG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Bombardier long-distance double deck trains for SBB, which belong supplier internally to the TWINDEXX platform, allow for the first time for increased curve speed of double-deck trains. This is provided by the bogie-integrated roll compensation system FLEXX Tronic WAKO. FLEXX Tronic WAKO comprises the tilt function, the active lateral suspension and the crosswind function. This paper describes the activities needed for homologation and product validation. The differences with regard to a conventional vehicle are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The loads on wheelsets, resulting from torsional vibrations have to be considered in the dimensioning of the axles and press fits. The evaluation of these loads is generally done by extensive test runs and measurement of the respective stresses on the axle. With the proposed process and system analysis it will become possible to predict the maximum torques on the basis of analytical methods. The first part handles the system and model description, illustrating the required quality and complexity of the models for an adequate prediction of the system behaviour. In part two, the physical analysis and safety considerations will be described. In a later paper, a comprehensive description is given for a more general understanding of the complex issue, together with a simplified assessment method for the criticality of a product concerning torsional vibrations. The published articles are written on behalf of Bombardier Transportation Switzerland AG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The requirements of availability of SBB infrastructure elements are among the highest of mixed traffic railways. It is shown, that there is no alternative to low, non-restrictive intervention limits in case of traditional asset management, without intelligent procedures which supports the calculation of trends, especially the prog¬ nosis of track behavior. The approach of low, non-restrictive intervention limits has the great disadvantage, that the focus of the systematic track maintenance is replaced by focus and managing only of local track irregularities. In case of low limits it is obvious, there are the limits exceeded in many parts of the network. Conversely, railways with lower availability require¬ ments can provide higher, more restrictive limit values, which, if exceeded, can provide an repair intervention but also use speed restrictions immediately. The approach of higher but restrictive limit provides space systematic track maintenance and these is reducing the density of track irregularities. SBBs department of track asset management has calculated, ana¬ lyzed and compared the expected quantity of the approaches of old and new intervention limits. The results are the amount of cumulative length distribution of track repair (tamping) based on the local prognosis over the next 1.5 years The paper shows the additional costs due to the statistical reli¬ ability of the prognosis. These are the costs which are opposed to availability requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squealing of railway block brakes is an annoying noise phenomenon for passengers, staff and residents of railway lines and stations. Compared to squealing of automotive or railway disk brakes there are almost no scientific publications with respect to this topic. The present paper shows the results of vibration tests performed with railway block brakes at freight wagons. Therefore, wagons equipped with cast iron, LL and K brake shoes were investigated with experimental modal analysis and operational modal analysis. Also noise measurements were performed. Possible influences of the preload by the weight of the vehicle on resonance frequencies and vibration shapes of the wheels are investigated via Finite Element Analysis and possible modifications of the railway block test rig at TU Berlin are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an intensified competitive environment the knowledge of customer structures and requirements increasingly becomes a strategic competitive advantage. Despite a high importance customer segmentations often fail due to a lack of sustainable operational feasibility. The paper presents conventional segmentation approaches in passenger services and specifies the value-to-value (V2V) segmentation developed by the authors. This approach combines the two value perspectives of customer value management (the customer and the business perspective). In addition to the concept and the operationalization of a V2V segmentation options for sales and marketing activities based of this new customer and market perspective are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The German Railway Industry is committed to the objectives of digitization of rail transport and the necessary digital innovations. The main objectives are more climate protection, more comfort and more efficiency. These objectives and the ways to achieve the goals like innovation promotion, digitization of infrastructure and intelligent maintenance are described in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assisted, Automated and Autonomous driving dominate not only the discussions in the automotive sector but also in the industry of rail transportation. At the Institute of Rail Vehicles and Transport Systems (IFS) of RWTH Aachen University these expressions are summarized by the headword “Triple A". They describe similar items, namely the possibilities of using modern communication and information technology to relieve the driv­ ers and finally replace them. Their meaning though is totally different. In this paper a trial is made on definitions of the three mentioned expressions and on a mutual demarcation. Based on this, possibilities are discussed on which strategy - autonomous, automatic or just assisted - is to prefer for each particular rail transport means and what are the deficiencies and risks. In par­ ticular the different braking abilities and the different interfaces to other traffic participants lead to diverse proposals on how to achieve driverless or driver-assisted operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The BOMBARDIER FLEXX Urban 3000 bogie platform is used for 100 % low-floor trams. Its characteristics are low noise, high comfort, robustness, reliability and high level of safety. The FLEXX Urban 3000 bogie platform includes various configurations, which have been described in this paper in 2013. It has now reached the next steps in his development, which are described in this article. FLEXX® is a registered trademark of Bombardier and includes eight Platforms from FLEXX Urban for city traffic until FLEXX Power for Locomotives or FLEXX Speed for High speed trains. More than 200 000 FLEXX® bogies are in service in 44 countries all over the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper illustrates the challenges in multiple engineering fields of general planning services for a complex infrastructure project, using the example of VDE 8.1 - railtrack extension/ upgrade Nuremberg-Ebensfeld. Part one gives a brief overview about the overall project VDE 8, which is followed by a showcase describing engineering challenges and solutions in the fields of railway facilities and civil engineering structures. Apart from the history of planning procedures, the 3rd part displays the idea of a synchronous, consensus-oriented design/engineering solution in order to promptly achieve construction permit and to finish planning works. In the final part an overview of “lessons learned" is listed that could be helpful in the future to simplify and to economise planning processes of prospective infrastructure projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In parallel to an commercial ETCS (European Train Control System) retrofit project for the ICE-T train sets of Deutsche Bahn in which an open source license for the ETCS on-board equipment software, and a software maintenance contract had been contracted for the first time, a research and development project had been started in 2012 and was finished in 2015 with the goal to develop a model based formalization of the official ETCS specification. The objective was to derive from the formal model a vendor-neutral reference software to give future users and test laboratories an independent reference implementation for the assessment of conformity with the specifications. In order for this „reference“ to be trustworthy, it must be completely transparent. Therefore, the „open proofs“ principle should come to use, in which are not only the reference software itself, but also the software tools and „proofs“ were under open source licenses. The paper reports on the results of the work within the international ITEA2 (Information Technology for the European Advancement) funded project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As announced at the last Congress in Graz, in the group wide project “Identification of the wear reduction potential of the ÖBB-fleet locomotives" some prototypes have been tested for one year and the measured data was analysed. In this paper the vehicle based measures like the special bogie equipment, the monitoring of the wheel wear and the accomplished test runs for investigation of the traction force are presented. Additionally the infrastructural measures like building the specific measuring site in Schwechat, the monitoring of the dynamic forces and the test runs over other measuring sites are introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EcoTrain project aims at developing a serial hybrid railcar for the Erzgebirgsbahn. A standard class 642 rail vehicle is going to be converted into an innovative hybrid railcar. Three different approaches to hybridization are explained in conjunction with their respective advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore the simulation tool IVIsion which was used to dimension the train components is explained along with the achieved simulation results. The paper concludes with an introduction to the so-called energy management module (EEM). This module predicts the vehicle's movement along the track and calculates recommendations for energy flow and driving style based on the schedule and current position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By intelligent control on the control levels between the traction controller, the train bus in multiple traction and the wheel sets of the locomotive, an optimum with respect to performance, availability, wear and energy efficiency can be achieved. The paper presents the control strategies in multiple traction with different trainbusses (ZMS, WTC UIC etc.) in mixed configurations, control methods in the vehicle and adhesion control of Bombardier TRAXX locomotives. Measurement results of track tests visualize the achieved results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient and pragmatic management of the amount of maintenance requires suitable performance indicators. The aim is to reduce the available information as much as possible, but only as much as needed. These performance indicators must depict all damage types and their rectification methods. To constitute a complete causal indicator system their interaction has to be modelled. Costs, availability as well as safety risks can be contained as long as maintenance intervention takes place early in the damage cycle. A residual risk remains in case a comprehensive monitoring over time of all state variables on assets cannot be ensured. In addition, a potentially non-reliable damage prediction would limit early intervention. This will lead to a self-reinforcing trend of damage progression and applicable maintenance levels: From a deviation to a failure, from preventive maintenance to troubleshooting. This paper introduces an approach to verify and control the amount of maintenance by target based performance indicators. The model takes into account the interaction between damage progression and rectification method. The Asset Management of Swiss Federal Railways aspires to implement such an approach to support its data based monitoring of track systems. In addition, a description of a self-adjusting control loop is given. The loop controls the amount of maintenance according to defined target values. In general according target values can be chosen freely. However, they should be determined by optimal cost effectiveness of the system as a whole under consideration of the acceptable risk in the individual case. This approach ensures the achievement of management objectives particularly in view of increasing demands or new regulations on assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of heavy shunting locomotives is necessary to run shunting operations smoothly. The targets of the analysis of alternative powertrain configurations for shunting locomotives are fuel saving, creation of a flexible usable locomotive and the increase of the reliability of savings by automation processes. Necessary to that end are modular constructed simulation models, to manage the requirements for locomotives. By the use of modern technologies, especially energy storage, an expedient development is essential to minimize the risk and realizing alternative powertrains for shunting locomotives. The following paper shows the proceeding of the analysis and presents the study results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the 7th EU Framework Programme, the research project SPIDER PLUS (Sustainable Plan for Integrated Development through the European Rail Network - Projecting Logistics and Mobility for Urban Spatial Design Evolution] was carried out between 2012 and 2015. The goal was to develop a passenger and freight mobility vision for 2050 encompassing seamless transportation, where electrified rail has the central role, and to identify ways in which the objectives defined by the European Commission in the “White Paper“ in March 2011 can be achieved. Starting from the project concept mainly the impact on the railway sector will be presented. This includes the integration of national rail systems into a European grid, elimination of infrastructure gaps and simplified homologation processes for vehicles and other railway equipment in order to achieve seamless, international rail traffic at a high quality level. Moreover respective framework conditions have to be set up by the politics and a broad market uptake has to be ensured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The annual convention is the most important event of the German Society of Mechanical Engineering (DMG) in the course of a year. This year the key issue of the convention was “Railways Business without Engineers, is this Situation Visible in the Future? - Recruitment and Development of Junior Engineers". During the presentation of speeches different experts presented papers on the main topic seen from various points of view such as: from the perspective of science, of the industry, of DB AG and from the perspective of students. In a following panel discussion, the subject has been immersed. In addition, one Beuth Innovation Award was awarded to the young engineer Felix Kröger for his study about „Modelling and Implementation of Rail Conditioning on a Non-Skid-Device-Test-Rig“. A festive dinner with the awarding of the Beuth Medal of Honour to Dr.-Ing. Klaus Huber, who has made an enormous contribution to the field testing of modern electric locomotives and the training of train drivers terminated the meeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to a standard spray arc, innovative gas-shielded metal arcs ensure high efficiency gains during welding. That is why Siemens Mobility AG has introduced a cutting-edge spray arc developed by EWM AG, Mündersbach, Germany, at its lo­comotive plant in Munich-Allach, Germany. A reduction of the included angle substantially reduces the number of weld seams required, which consequently results in significant savings in total costs. However, extensive trials and welding procedure tests had to be carried out before the process could be introduced. The technical paper describes the studies on fatigue testing, the classification in the body of standards and the extensive weld­ing tests required for integration in the production process for both companies involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bogies with independently rotating wheels (IRW) seem to be only a compromise because of missing space for an axle. In this paper the theory of track guiding by IRW is explained and it is shown that IRW had some advantages over wheelsets if there are used in narrow tram networks. Those cbnsiderations are proved by field data. It is obvious that tramcars with IRW are characterized with best comfort and less wear - if the particu­larities of that principle are respected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Bombardier TWINDEXX intercity trains for SBB allow for increased curve speed of double-deck trains, which results in increase of capacity combined with reduction of travelling time. This is provided by the roll compensation system FLEXX Tronic WAKO being integrated in the bogies. WAKO compensates carbody sway caused by centrifugal forces by tilting the carbody to the inside of the curve. As for other tilting trains typical hazards can be expected in case of occurrence of functional failures which in this solution are controlled by an independent supervision system. This detects safety critical conditions such as wrong carbody tilting and establishes a safe condition by deactivating the active system leading to a passive and self-centring operational mode. The paper addresses the safety case of the supervision system including hazard identification, definition of safety requirements and validation of the safety concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the French-German research program STARDAMP a laboratory method has been developed in order to predict the noise mitigation potential of rail dampers. The key feature of this methodology is the fact, that field tests can be avoided and the test is done in an objective manner and cost efficient in the laboratory. The following paper presents the basic ideas of the method. The experimental setup including STARDAMP software is described in the way it is applied by DB Systemtechnik. Application examples demonstrate the influence of various parameters like e.g. train type or speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bogies with independently rotating wheels (IRW) are characterized by the lack of rigid coupling between the left and right wheel. Consequence is the less pronounced ability of handling curved tracks due to lower longitudinal traction forces. Despite the lack of rigid coupling, the IRW Bogies perform a hunting vibration process due to longitudinal traction forces, similar to the classic wheelset. This is leading to an unstable driving behavior above a critical speed. In this paper, a parametric study is presented, which analyzes and quantifies the effects on the critical velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The annual convention is the most important event of the German Society of Mechanical Engineering (DMG) in the course of a year. This year the key issue of the convention was "20 years of railway reform - retrospect and preview". During the presentation of speeches different experts of public rail transport presented papers on the main topic seen from various points of view such as: "from the customer, from the DB AG, from the passenger, from the manufacturer and finally from the European point of view". In a following panel discussion the subject has been immersed. Two Beuth Innovation Awards were awarded to two young engineers, Stefan von Mach and Jochen Greiner, for excellent diploma thesis on rail vehicle subjects. A festive dinner with the awarding of the "Beuth Medal of Honour" to Professor Dr. Rolf Schraut, an engineer and manager who rendered outstanding services to the railway technique, ended the convention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corrugation removal is associated with significant cost factors for infrastructure owners. The deliberate addition of a water based friction modifier into the tribological system between wheel and rail provides the necessary means to mitigate or even suppress the mechanisms associated with corrugation formation (wear, plastic deformation). This paper will highlight the significant improvement factors with respect to corrugation suppression at various passenger systems achieved by application of the water based friction modifier KELTRACK®. Besides the technical improvements tire economic benefits of this sustainable approach will also be analysed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because railway-induced vibrations are considered as a growing problem, the development of new mitigation measures becomes more and more important. Therefore, extensive experimental investigations were planned within the project RIVAS to detect mitigation-measure efficiencies. Because the efficiency depends on the ambient conditions and measurements were to be performed in different European countries with a wide variety of conditions, commonly-agreed procedures to detect and transfer efficiencies had to be developed first. In order to find the most suitable measure for a given problematic situation, an assessment procedure considering the reduction of the annoyance and the costs was proposed in addition. The present paper gives an overview on the mentioned measurement and assessment procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Running gears with driven independently rotating wheel pairs allow for perfect steering and are discussed since several years. A significant reduction of both wheel and rail wear is the main expected benefit. The idea has been adopted within the DLR project "Next Generation Train" (NGT) in order to facilitate a train concept in light-weight design and double-deck configuration with continued floors on both levels. After the requirements had been discussed running gears with single wheel pairs have been favored and are now under detailed examination. Surprisingly, multibody simulations not only show improvements while negotiating curves but also predict wear reduction while the train is running on straight track compared to a reference vehicle with classical wheel sets. This paper introduces the running gear concept of the NGT, presents simulation results and comments on the unexpected wear reduction potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ln Europe the situation has aggregated in the last two decades due to fragmentation of the large state railways in the 1990s and the subsequent loss of established occupational training opportunities for young engineers. At the same time, however, the worldwide renaissance of rail systems caused an increase in demand for qualified staff. Particularly in the fields of technical and scientific areas junior staff is scarce, leading to a shortage of personnel in skilled manual jobs such as the maintenance of vehicles and tracks. It is quite obvious that the requirements for scope and quality of information processing and operational training as well as education are continuously increasing. The basic question is, how to stop erosion of knowledge and plan competence and knowledge transfer. Companies that are clearly customer and employee oriented have a competitive edge. This paper deals with practical solutions and tools to provide structured, comprehensive and accessible knowledge and learning. It presents solutions to tackle a skills shortage, applied and proven in some municipal transportation companies. Furthermore, it aims to bring the right information at the right time to the right person. It is still true: If knowledge is not in the right place, the wheel will be reinvented over and over again. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing the efficiency of all transport vehicles requires comprehensive and systematic solutions, particularly when the objective is to reduce energy demands. Driving resistance and reducing mass play key roles in this effort. This paper describes the influence of vehicle mass on railway transport energy for various classes (different kinds) of railway vehicles (suburban, regional, and high-speed rail). Based on the energy savings potential the possible life-cycle cost reductions by means of lightweight design are determined and displayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biggest part of the life cycle costs of rail infrastructure is caused by operation and maintenance. Maintenance is often controlled by monetary objectives, less with quality standards, that assesses the actual output and result of maintenance, the quality of substance. Although maintenance goals are achieved, this says little about the future development of the assets substance. Because infrastructure facilities are durable, a deferred maintenance, with the result of creeping substance deficit, will find a delayed detection, so there is a need for assessment scales, which are appropriate for specific target agreements. To measure the quality of substance the wear stock indicator (KAV®) makes the wear of tracks and turnouts measurable and provides a clear compaction in an expedient degree of aggregation. The application of modern maintenance strategies also requires a network-wide database in order to provide up to date information in the right place at the right time. Only a long-term planning and predictive management can prevent expensive budget surprises permanently. This paper shows approaches for target agreement train operators and infrastructure managers according to the orderer-provider-principle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Already since more than 130 years cardan shafts in the design of shafts with dual universal joints have repeatedly proven them-selves if the kinematic mounting principles have been respected. Other designs like constant velocity shafts and cardan shafts with double universal joints which enable greater diffraction angles have been used till now especially in road vehicles and construction machinery. Starting from the kinematic principles and the working loads a report is given in this paper on the research and development work to upgrade cardan shafts with dual double universal joints for application in drive units of diesel railcars and to achieve a railway-proof design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The BOMBARDIER FLEXX Urban 3000 bogie platform will be used for 100 % low-floor trams. Characteristics are low noise, high comfort, robustness, reliability and high level of safety. The FLEXX Urban 3000 bogie platform includes various configura-tions, which are described in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TRANSITECTS (Transalpine Transport Architects) is an European project aiming at developing and implementing attractive rail products and systems to disburden traffic bottlenecks in the Alps and to mitigate related negative effects of traffic. For the shift of traffic from road to rail TRANSITECTS creates sustainable intermodal solutions to fit changing markets - especially combined transport products for transalpine freight traffic. Furthermore, the project supports the development of intermodal nodes and proactively fosters the railway system through intensive networking. TRANSITECTS has started in July 2009 and is funded by the Alpine Space Programme of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and national cofinancing. 16 partners of four countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia) are collaborating in a transnational network. During the three-year runtime, numerous measures have been developed: Traffic studies have been elaborated, concepts for additional rail services developed and strategies for the improvement of intermodal nodes worked out. The paper explains the project, its aims and approaches and highlights some relevant results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main task of the infrastructure manager is to provide the necessary assets for railway operation inline with the demands, assuring safety as well as economic efficiency. The elementary question forthe efficient use of existing financial resources is at which point of time a re-investment leads to lower total costs than further maintenance. The answer can only be given in assuming total life cycle costs of the asset. Estimating future maintenance demands forms thereby a pre-condition. The ÖBB Infrastruktur AG started in 2011 checking track relaying projects on their sustainability, establishing a Life Cycle Management for the permanent way. The paper shows the used methodol-ogy as well as results of already executed project evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the insistence of the German Federal Department for Re-search and Technology and the Department of Transportation the German Federal Railway (later German Rail) - for quite a long time together with various other companies - supervised between 1982 and 2008 the development and the testing of the German magnetic levitation system. For this purpose the "Versuchs- und Planungsgesellschaft fur Magnetbahnsysteme" (MVP) was created. The mission contained operations of the test facilities at the Emsland, proving and evaluab'on of the various test rides, studies for fields of application for the sys-tem in Germany or other countries, and preparatory work for a national implementation of the system. The paper presents an historical overview of the activities of this company in the area of conflict between the priorities of Federal Departments, industry and the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There currently exist a bewildering variety of fire safety regula-tions for railway vehicles in Europe. In practice, the complexity of the standards and legislation makes the approval process for railway vehicles immensely complicated. Awareness of this problem has grown at the EU level - and hence it is now planned to put uniform structures in place for fire safety regu-lations. These regulations are, however, likely to lead to very tough requirements for fire safety systems in rolling stock. In future, therefore, a compensatory approach will become more and more important. Here, demonstration of equivalence will become more and more attractive as a way of realizing creative and efficient vehicle concepts while safeguarding fire safety. In the paper presented the development of fire safety regula-tions for railway vehicles and possibilities and acceptance of implementation of compensatory measures are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 2006 and 2011 the DB ProjektBau GmbH, Berlin, has modernized the railway line Berlin-Cottbus in two stages for a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Concrete sleepers with under sleeper pads from RAIL.ONE GmbH, Neumarkt, were largely used to achieve a good vibration protection, reduced ballast forces and longer life of the track. The under sleeper pads type SLN 1510 G DB were manufactured by Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH, München, from highly elasticated Sylodyn® polyurethane material. In the paper presented development and modernization of the line as well as the production process and the mounting of the sleepers with under sleeper pads are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China there are several classes of high-speed trains from different manufacturers in operation. The first trains were designed for a maximum speed of 200 km/h whereas the new trains are operated with speeds of more than 300 km/h. All trains are equipped with proven brake systems respectively high performance components from Knorr-Bremse, which were partly produced together with partners in China. In the paper presented the brake systems and bogie equipment for the different classes of high-speed trains are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The terms of supply of the majority of European railway companies include testing methods for railway ballast on wear and fragmentation resistance. However, alternative testing methods for this propose are imaginable. In cooperation with the technical department of the Infrastructure company of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) three alternative testing methods have been evaluated at Graz University of Technology which are being introduced and critically appreciated in this paper. The Swiss test "Compressive strength on the stack" can be described as a large-scale compression test with a test device like an oedometer. Two testing methods deal with the tool wear rate of cutting tools in tunneling. These are the 'Abrasiveness and GrindabilityTest' (Abroy-Test) and the 'Scratching Test with a Pointed Tool' (Cerchar-Test). However, conclusions on the abrasivity can also be interpreted as a measure of the wear-resistance. All tests were carried out for different kinds of the rock decisive for ballast of rail superstructure. Furthermore, the correlations to established procedures were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past 17 months S-Bahn Berlin retrofitted modern sanding equipment to all 569 Class 480 and 481 vehicles. The system with a newly developed sand delivery sensor facilitates ope-rations considerably-as a result 17 more vehicles can be kept in service additionally. Compared to conventional systems, the sand consumption could be reduced considerably as well as particle emissions. The entire process from initial tendering to the start of the installation work took a mere four months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]