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Wear monitoring for meter gauge railway

Customer: Montreux-Oberland-Bahn (MOB), Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Project management
  • Concept development
  • System integration

Our approach

The Montreux Oberland Railway (MOB) was faced with a challenge when it was suddenly confronted with increased noise and heavy wear on the wheels and rails of a large number of vehicles in its fleet. Various vehicles showed unexpectedly high signs of wear.

PROSE carried out two days of acoustic measurements on a vehicle travelling on the MOB network. We used wireless microphones that were magnetically attached under the car body on each side of the train. The acoustic signals were sent wirelessly to a laptop inside the vehicle. With the help of special acoustic software, these acoustic signals were transferred from the time domain to the frequency domain in real time. Based on the amplitudes in certain frequencies, the problem of noise and wear in certain curves of the network could be localised. Additional measurements on the rails showed that the wheel flange lubrication on the rail was inadequate and was causing noise and wear. After manually lubricating around 10 curves on the 45 km network, the wear disappeared completely and the noise was reduced.

Customer benefit

The MOB had to reduce its services as the wear and noise pollution were no longer acceptable. After the problem was analysed and localised by PROSE-experts on the MOB network within a day of the measurement, noise and wear were reduced to a minimum and the MOB was able to resume regular operations.

 

  

Program Management ATO Sector Program

Customer: BLS Netz AG, Dr. Florian Kappler, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Program Management
  • Project Planning
  • Coordination among all Swiss ATO projects
  • Leading the marketing team to develop and maintain the ATO website
  • Quarterly reporting to the steering board (railway undertakings, infrastructure managers and industry)
  • Coordination with stakeholders, such as the national authority BAV, as well as the industry
  • Supporting specific ATO projects with technical-, operational- and business advisory

Our Approach

In May 2022, the Federal Office of Transport called on the rail sector to align and better coordinate future ATO activities within the Swiss rail sector.

PROSE was commissioned to manage the programme for all Swiss ATO projects. In close cooperation with the ATO core team, PROSE established regular monthly exchanges and jointly identified and developed central cross-cutting topics.

In addition, PROSE also led the communication team and worked with this team to develop and maintain the ATO industry website (https://voev.ch/ato). Furthermore, PROSE initiated an ATO-related conference day that invited and actively involved the industry in ATO developments.

Customer benefit

With PROSE as a partner, the customer benefits from comprehensive expertise in the areas of on-board signalling, ETCS and ATO, both on the line and on the vehicle side. An entrepreneurial approach, in-depth technical knowledge and market knowledge are essential for a successful programme design in the first year.

The customer does not need to develop its own project-specific management resources, as PROSE, as an independent consultant, coordinates the related interests of all project managers.

 

   

Independent technical and operational assessment of ATO GoA2 implementation variants

Customer: Rhaetian Railway, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Expert interviews
  • Technical and operational assessment
  • Independent evaluation of implementation variants

Our Approach

As part of the development of a technical specification for equipping an existing vehicle fleet with a driver assistance system (DAS) / ATO GoA2 (Automatic Train Operation, semi-automatic operation) , PROSE supported Rhaethian Bahn AG (RhB) with neutral expertise on technical implementation variants.

Specifically, the focus was on the interface and functionality to be implemented for the interface between the DAS and the vehicle control system, as well as the interaction of the locomotive crew with the DAS. In particular, the different implementation variants focused on the DAS activation and implementing the traction/braking force target values on the vehicle.

Based on the European specification analogue to SUBSET-125 and SUBSET-139, the adapted draft specifications, and internal implementation proposals, PROSE carried out a neutral evaluation of the variants using a two-stage methodology.

In the first step, selected RhB representatives from the areas of vehicle technology and locomotive personnel were interviewed. The purpose of the interview was to determine the significance of the individual evaluation criteria.

In the second step, the PROSE experts verified the fulfilment of the criteria for both variants based on the technical specifications and the expert interviews. In particular, the opportunities, risks, suitability for vehicle acceptance, migration capability, acceptance of the systems by the locomotive personnel, and an initial qualitative assessment from the HOF (Human-Organisational-Factors) perspective of the variants were compared and evaluated.

Customer benefit

RhB benefited from the neutral and independent assessment of the PROSE experts and the methodical approach involving the relevant internal representatives. PROSE’s expertise ensured fast and efficient processing and the necessary depth of detail.

 

  

Project audit of the implementation of a depot management system

Customer: Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ), Switzerland; PSI Transcom GmbH, Germany / Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Project audit
  • External advice
  • Second opinion
  • Mediation

Our Approach

​Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ) is procuring a new depot management system (BMS) from PSI Transcom GmbH to control its tram depots and bus garages. PROSE carried out an independent project audit on behalf of both parties. The audit aimed to determine whether the project was being handled by both parties in accordance with the requirements for a project in the public transport sector. In addition, VBZ wanted to clarify the extent to which the supplier’s project organisation ensured qualitative and timely project execution. Furthermore, it should be clarified whether any suboptimal project organisation could result in additional financial expenditure on both sides.

PROSE carried out the audit in a two-stage process. In the first phase, both parties were interviewed on-site in an audit meeting about the key issues identified and their respective views were recorded. In a subsequent joint meeting, the first draft of the audit report, including the recommendations of the PROSE auditors, was used as the basis for an initial review. The second phase was organised by focusing on individual key topics in joint meetings of all three parties. Finally, the findings based on the audit report and the recommendations were discussed and finalised.

Customer benefit

VBZ and PSI benefited from the PROSE auditors’ independent perspective and experience in project management and operational issues. By analysing individual key topics, it was possible to illuminate the respective points of view and highlight the perspectives of both parties. As a result, both parties were able to identify potential for improvement in the collaboration.

 

 

Fire Safety Assessment and Consulting

Project tasks

  • Consultancy
  • Development and creation of fire protection concepts
  • Development and creation of evacuation concepts
  • Analyses of fire protection requirements
  • Compilation of required fire protection test reports
  • Communication with authorities, manufacturers and testing laboratories
  • Integration of fire safety systems
  • Preparation of approval documents relevant to fire protection

Our Approach

PROSE analyses the given situation and develops solutions that meet the applicable fire protection requirements. To this end, PROSE advises the customer and identifies various solutions in order to find an efficient way of achieving the required fire protection for railway vehicles in accordance with EN 45545. Our experts calculate the thermal load of the vehicle during the design and propose measures for its reduction.

Customer benefit

The customer benefits from our many years of experience in the field of fire protection for all types of rail vehicles in accordance with EN 45545, including not only advice but also the creation of concepts, the preparation of the necessary fire protection certificates, contact with manufacturers of fire protection-compliant components and communication with approval authorities. The aim is to place fire protection suitable vehicles into service.

Aerodynamics simulation (CFD)

Customer: Various customers

Project tasks

​During the development process or during modernisation, aerodynamic influences such as crosswind or vehicle air conditioning of a vehicle must be assessed. Often the final verification requires investigations in a wind tunnel or climatic wind tunnel. However, CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) simulations are ideal for an initial assessment and optimization, as they generally provide reliable results at significantly lower cost.

Analyses:

  • Crosswind stability (aero-dynamic coefficients and wind characteristics curves) according to EN 14067-6
  • Climatic studies and thermal comfort

Our Approach

Crosswind assessment according to EN 14067-6

The EN 14067-6 provides for the evaluation of crosswind with aerodynamic coefficients, which can be obtained either by wind tunnel tests or by CFD simulations. PROSE can determine these coefficients by CFD simulations and derive characteristic wind curves. The influence of the vehicle design on the crosswind stability can be considered in the design phase. In the case of changes to the vehicle exterior shape during conversions, the influence can be assessed and in the case of minor changes, proof of crosswind stability can also be provided.

Investigation of vehicle air conditioning

CFD simulations allow first estimations for climatic-technical investigations according to European standards, which are based on tests in the climatic wind tunnel. An optimization with CFD simulations within the scope of the design of the air conditioning system generates additional safety and can avoid costly adjustments and repetitions of measurements in the climatic wind tunnel.

Customer benefit

PROSE can support you during the development process or during a modernization with CFD simulations to reduce costs and risks of wind tunnel and climatic wind tunnel tests.

 

 

Mechanical design and system integration

Customer: Various customers

Project tasks

  • Development projects:
    • Complete bogie design according to EN 15085
    • Complete car body design according to EN 15085
    • Interior and layout design
    • System integration (e.g. doors, brake system, HVAC, coupler etc.)
  • Vehicle modernisation projects:
    • Interior design
    • Layout concepts
    • System integration (e.g. ATC, infotainment system, magnetic rail brake, air conditioning system etc.)
  • Niche development projects (e.g. gauge changing and rack railway bogie, people mover or magnetic levitation systems etc.)
  • Structural bonding & welding competences:
    • Bonding according to DIN 6701-3 (A1) / EN 17460
    • Welding according to EN 15085-2 (CL 1)

Our Approach

Our focus is on the manufacturability and maintainability of a vehicle. We offer thought-through solutions in all our de-signs. We remain in direct exchange with our customer to ensure that the design process can be finished in a short time.

Customer benefit

With 3D model views we give visual answers to your ideas or thoughts. We have an agile way of working and can ensure that your feedback is shaping the visual idea and helping to complete it. Already in an early stage of the design process, the PROSE designer team ensures that the concept design is feasible. Our flexibility makes us respond to your requests at very short notice. We offer the complete batch of documentation for procurement and manufacturing.

 

Research project for an innovative concrete sleeper

Customer: Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Experimental modal analysis on different concrete sleepers
  • Computational modal analysis FEM
  • Measurements in specially built test track
  • Measurements of TOR and sound radiation
  • Design and analysis of two sleeper types
  • Manufacture of sleepers by project partners

Our Approach

The new concrete sleepers were developed in cooperation with the Swiss concrete element manufacturer Vigier Rail. The existing sleeper types were first examined and analyzed using measurement technology and the parameters influencing the acoustics were analyzed.

Customer benefit

With this research project on an essential element of the track superstructure, PROSE wants to advance the industry – with less noise and simultaneously low wear and tear or lower life cycle costs. This benefit both the affected residents and the infrastructure contractors.

Development of suspended monorail vehicles

Customer: Kiepe Electric GmbH, Germany

Project tasks

  • Mechanical design of carbody, vehicle interior and running gear
  • Mechanical system integration
  • Manufacturing supervision
  • Homologation management

Our Approach

In order to overcome the first challenge of creating the optimized vehicle for this particular application, PROSE developed a vehicle body that is constructed from aluminium extrusion profiles.
Moreover, the continuous low floor and wide-opening doors guarantee efficient passenger flow. The new vehicles for the Wuppertal suspension railway also offer high driver comfort.

Customer benefit

Given PROSE’s extensive experience in developing mainstream and special projects of all kinds, PROSE’s development team was able to successfully meet Kiepe Electric GmbH’s expectations. Furthermore, PROSE’s intercultural experience and capabilities are highly appreciated, playing a fundamental catalyst role in the current manufacture of the vehicles in Austria, Germany and
Spain.

 

Turnkey engineering for a freight wagon with sliding wall for high-speed operation

Customer: CRRC Jinan, China

Project tasks

  • Conception and development of the bogies, the car body structure and the sliding wall mechanism
  • Calculations of the running dynamics and the aerodynamics
  • Structural strength analyses
  • Preparation of component specifications, production drawings, assembly instructions and manuals
  • RAMS / LCC

Our Approach

PROSE performed the entire development process at several locations. PROSE can perform all services, e.g. engineering, design, analyses and calculations, project management etc., at several locations, which cooperate closely, but, of course, the internal communications between the various locations is also always ensured.
The manufacture and the approval tests were performed by the customer, but PROSE provided active support.

Customer benefit

Thanks to PROSE’s extensive experience with the various vehicle components at its various locations, PROSE can offer comprehensive turnkey engineering services. Our customer profits from PROSE’s know how due to the close cooperation and the mutual visits.

 

Adaption of German maglev train technology for operation in China

Customer: Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co. Ltd (SMTDC), China

Project tasks

  • Modification of the German maglev train TR08 in line with the requirements of a commercial operation in Shanghai
  • Support of reassembly of vehicles in Shanghai, commissioning and the start of operation
  • Realization of a maintenance optimization program with quality control processes
  • Performance of employees training in vehicle mechanics and on-site vehicle assembly

Our approach

PROSE supported the successful reassembly, commissioning and start of operation of the German maglev train TR08 for Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co. Ltd. Thereafter the vehicles were modified in line with the requirements of a commercial operation in Shanghai. A suitable, adjusted maintenance optimization program with quality control processes was developed and established. Training for maintenance personnel was carried out. Since then PROSE audits the world’s fastest train operation and its maintenance on a yearly basis.

Customer benefit

Successful operation of the maglev train in China was ensured because of PROSE’s yearly on-site inspections since 2011.

 

Development of a gauge-changing facility for operator MOB

Customer: Chemin de fer Montreux Oberland bernois MOB, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Feasibility analysis
  • Mechanical and control engineering development
  • Detailed Manufacturing Design
  • Strength analysis
  • Support Approval

Our Approach

In cooperation with MOB, PROSE has developed the gauge-changing facility in several phases from a simple prototype to a complex series production system.

Customer benefit

From an early stage of the development of the gauge change system, PROSE supported MOB in approval issues. The complexity of the numerous interfaces between the gauge-changing facility and the vehicles, the infrastructure as well as the train protection systems of MOB and BLS were taken into account by PROSE through a close cooperation with the involved partners. From the conceptual design to the successful commissioning, MOB could be supported solutionoriented and target-oriented from one source.

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