Infrastructure
ÖBB in figures Track-km
Turnouts
Bridges and viaducts Tunnels and galleries Level crossings
10,000 14,500 5,800 240
4,000
explained. “We found that out of 2375km of track substructure analysed, 1600km was in good condition, 549km needs attention in the long term, 95km requires short-term action, and immediate action is needed on the remaining 31km.”
ÖBB calculates life-cycle track
renewals costs using two options for a line carrying 30,000 to 45,000 tonnes of traffic per day per track. One consists of total renewal using 60 E1 profile R 250 rails laid on concrete soled sleepers, while the second involves partial renewal in year one followed by complete renewal nine years later using 49 E1 or 60 E1 profile R 200 rails laid on a mixture of concrete and concrete soled sleepers. A cost-effectiveness comparison of the two renewal options has been mandatory since 2011 for each work site. Studies have shown that the longer the track renewal section the more cost- effective the work becomes. For example unit costs fall from ƒ850/m to renew a 1km section of track to ƒ600/m for a 5km section.
ÖBB has found that using soled
concrete sleepers reduces the rate of settlement in the track on heavily-used lines which lowers maintenance costs and improves availability. ÖBB also uses what it describes as plug-and-play turnouts, which are assembled off-site
The main source of savings on new-build projects has been technical optimisation.
and are then transported on special wagons to the worksite. This cuts the time it takes to replace turnouts and thereby reduces disruption to services. ÖBB is also a strong believer in ballast recycling as this not only reduces the amount of new ballast required but also cuts transport costs. An analysis of overhead electrification equipment on plain track showed that it was possible to simplify the design so that more lightweight masts could be used, the length of a span of contact
wire could also be increased from 1120m to 1340m, which meant less contact wire is needed because there are fewer overlap sections, and fewer wire tensioners are required. Overall the change produced a 10% cost saving. Challenging existing designs, equipment used, and working methods, coupled with meticulous long-term planning and measuring and testing are the key ingredients of ÖBB’s long-term quest to reduce infrastructure costs without affecting quality. IRJ
Ballast recycling not only reduces the amount of new ballast required but also cuts transport costs.
36
IRJ January 2014
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