VEDA’s Post

Automated railway inspection and monitoring technology is good, maybe even great! But we must also recognise both its limitations and the power of keeping humans in the loop to make critical decisions. This rail corrosion didn't happen overnight, but I'd wager it was a human that spotted it and intervened. Should it have been spotted earlier? Well that is certainly a valid question and one I'm sure being asked by lots of passengers today. Reverting to wearing an engineering hat for a moment I'll still advocate for the use of corrosion resistant rails in wet tunnels to stop this issue happening (#Zinoco is a great solution if you want to it up). Sadly this rail is being replaced with standard rail as I type so it'll likely need replacing again in future for the same issue. #rail #infrastructure #conditionmonitoring #engineering #railinspection #corrosion #humanintheloop

Testing railway #buffer stops is crucial for ensuring safety and functionality.

Testing railway #buffer stops is crucial for ensuring safety and functionality. It typically involves various assessments such as #impact testing, structural integrity checks, and compliance with safety standards.

The collision of the cargo ship Dali with the Baltimore Key Bridge pier highlights a critical issue regarding the immense force exerted during such incidents. To put it into perspective, the impact force from the ship is akin to 66 heavy trucks simultaneously hitting the bridge pier at a speed of 60 miles per hour (97 km per hour). This level of force surpasses the pier's capacity to withstand, necessitating innovative solutions to mitigate such risks without inflating construction costs excessively. Constructing a bridge capable of withstanding such colossal forces is theoretically possible but economically unfeasible. Civil engineers are thus exploring alternative approaches to alleviate the direct force exerted on piers. One potential solution involves implementing energy-absorbing protection barriers around the piers. These barriers would act as shock absorbers, dissipating the force upon impact and reducing the risk of structural damage. Implementing such measures could effectively prevent similar disasters in the future while maintaining a balance between safety and cost-effectiveness. (theconversation.com)

The construction and maintenance of railway tracks require specialized machinery to lay and service the rails efficiently. Track laying machines are essential for installing new railroad tracks and repairing and replacing existing ones. These powerful machines boost productivity and enable crews to meet tight construction timelines when building new railways or carrying out maintenance work. Track laying machines are available in different configurations for various applications. New track construction requires heavier, more robust machines. Maintenance work on existing tracks may utilize lighter machines better suited for replacing single rails or small sections. The type used depends on the project's scale and the railway infrastructure's requirements. Each track laying machine serves a unique purpose in constructing and servicing railroad tracks. Source: Adortech #education #civilengineering #engineering #letsconnect #technology #railway #Track #laying #machines #construction #advancedtechnology

SULRT3 CRO tunnel inspection. Construction Railway Operation (CRO) is part of the Railway Operation means the construction and operation under this Agreement of the relevant Railway and associated access roads and Additional Infrastructure (if any) within the relevant Railway Corridor and of the associated Lateral Access Roads, in accordance with approved proposals access for Infrastructure work within the relevant Railway Corridor and, in accordance with approved proposals. The main function is to ensure all package contractor work in safe condition and no conflicts of working area and, especially when work in Restricted Area (energized) area.

Would you take this train journey? You have to have some serious faith in Engineering to take this trip. I think I would. The design of rail bridges takes into account the maximum allowable curvature and gradient of the tracks to ensure safe and efficient train operations. Engineers carefully plan and construct bridges to adhere to these standards, allowing trains to navigate curves and slopes while maintaining stability and safety. Does anyone know where this is? #railindustry #rollingstock #bridgeengineer

Maintenance of Railway assets is one of the verticals of IPRCL for professional working. Few notable works related to track and S&T are visible in details given here.

Collaboration and best practice are the cornerstones of progress in the light rail sector. During a recent workshop, engineers across the UK network discussed track welding improvements. Led by the Light Rail Engineering Group's Chair, Marilena Papadopoulou, the workshop included updates from the networks, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the Light Rail Safety & Standards Board, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and a presentation by Chris McKeown. By adopting best practice across the sector, welding failures in embedded grooved track can be avoided, reducing the risk of costly repairs and service disruption. Phillip Terry MSc MIET, UKTram Lead Engineer, explained: “Correctly, and to standard, welded grooved track is essential for the safe and efficient running of any light rail network. ''The meeting provided an ideal opportunity for sector professionals and industry leads to share best practice and discuss guidance. ''This is especially important where procurement occurs outside the operator or maintainer remit.” Properly welded grooved tracks are vital for safety and efficiency. This kind of knowledge-sharing ensures that our tramways remain safe and reliable for all passengers. Read the full update here: https://lnkd.in/e2yf6Bcj #lightrail #engineering #safety #publictransport #rail #tramways #safetravel #knowledgesharing #engineers #bestpractice #transit

The disruption of Network Rail services recently exposed significant room for improvement in the implementation of engineering solutions and overall management. The incident, which saw thousands of passengers, including Network Rail's Chief Executive, Andrew Haines, stranded in dark, cold carriages for over four hours, underscored the challenges facing the railway industry. The halt in service was due to damage to the overhead line equipment (OLE), causing a total pause in train services west from London on the Great Western main line. The incident has prompted concerns from the ASLEF (the train driver's union), focusing on the driver’s competence, highlighting that the driver was a manager, not a professional driver due to strike action. Andrew Haines, in his public statement, accepted shortcomings in service and expressed the railway sector's need to improve. Interestingly, he remarked about the lack of tools available to look after passengers, tools he stated he would have utilised in the past as a station manager. A stark revelation suggesting that customer service in the rail industry faces declines rather than progress. After network engineers inspected and fixed the OLE, service resumed. However, disruptions persisted, and another OLE issue between Paddington and Slough caused further delays. Both incidents have sparked an investigation into why these problems occurred, an act committed to by a Network Rail spokesperson. While the immediate concern is reparations, these incidents emphasise the pressing need for advancements in railway engineering and management. Learning from such disruptions can potentially lead to more robust infrastructures, better contingency plans and improvements in customer service during emergencies. The engineering community anticipates the findings of the investigation and any ensuing evolution of rail engineering practices.