Skip to main content

Examination of an updated production process of the SBB bogie revision maintenance site in Basel

Customer: SBB, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Project and stakeholder management
  • Process analysis and documentation
  • Identification and development of proposed solutions

Our Approach

Thanks to PROSE’s existing expertise in the areas of maintenance facilities, railway production and operations, the PROSE experts were able to quickly drive forward the creation of the production concept in consultation with the responsible site manager. The first step was to record the existing production process on site and define the target process for efficient handling of the production volume (technical inspection, wheelset processing). Any problems arising from the necessary changes to the feed process were analysed by the PROSE experts in consultation with the internal departments and solutions were proposed. Finally, the entire processes, systems and production equipment at the site were documented.

Customer benefit

Thanks to the PROSE experts’ existing knowledge, SBB benefited from rapid implementation of the production concept and focussed, solution-oriented processing of the identified problem areas.

 

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.

Vehicle procurement – Manufacturing Supervision, Quality Control and Factory Tests

Customer: various customer

Project tasks

  • Acceptance of the welded car bodies / bogie frames
  • Paint inspection and acceptance
  • Intermediate acceptance of main electrical components
  • Intermediate acceptance of interior fittings
  • Factory acceptance/customer acceptance

Our Approach

By regular participation in the vehicle acceptance tests and constant coordination with the team of the vehicle manufacturer, PROSE checks the quality of the production. The customer is permanently kept up to date by the acceptance team regarding the progress of the production as well as possible complications or deadline postponements. He immediately receives the results of the production controls and acceptances and can follow up changes, modifications etc.

The dates for the acceptance of components, intermediate assembly stands and vehicles ready for delivery follow the production plan but are also handled operationally and flexibly in order to be able to react to specific occasions. In this way, control of the construction process is always ensured and there is the possibility of intervention in the event of difficulties such as quality slumps, scheduling, supply, or capacity problems.

Customer benefit

With manufacturing supervision, the manufacturer’s quality assurance process is checked and monitored in addition to the product quality, because every vehicle has gone through this process before it is presented for factory acceptance. Continuous construction supervision ensures consistent quality at a high level.

      

Grand-Tour luxury train maintenance plan

Customer: Arlington Fleet France, France

Project tasks

  • Project management
  • Maintenance management
  • Homologation support

Our Approach

The “Le Grand Tour” project is creating a luxury cruise train in France, using refurbished coaches from Deutsche Bahn. Arlington Fleet France (AFF) is overseeing the project, using existing maintenance data from DB and new system designs.

In the first phase, PROSE formalised existing data from Deutsche Bahn, which is crucial for creating the maintenance plan. Now, in the second phase, we’re taking the lead in drafting the maintenance plan and the Maintenance Documentation File, ensuring compliance with homologation requirements for seamless introduction and operation on the French network.

Customer benefit

Based on PROSE’s extensive experience, the entire maintenance plan was created by integrating the existing and newly added systems. This allows the customer to have a solid maintenance file for the train approval and the vehicle authorisation and, subsequently, to plan future maintenance operations.

    

Strength analysis (FEA simulation)

Customer: various customers

Project tasks

Development of verification concepts and load assumptions as well as performance of calculations and simulations for:

  • Car bodies according to e.g. EN 12663
  • Bogies and wheelsets according to e.g. EN 13749, EN 13261
  • Streetcars and metros according to VDV 152
  • Attachment parts according to EN 61373
  • General load assumptions from calculations, measurements and simulations for e.g. special vehicles

Static, fatigue and time strength assessment:

  • Base material and weld seams according to FKM Guideline
  • Fatigue of steel according to Eurocode 3 DIN EN 1993-1-9 and BS 7608
  • Weld seam evaluation according to DVS 1612 / DVS 1608 and IIW recommendation
  • Screw connection according to DIN 25202:1-6, VDI 2230 and Eurocode 3 DIN EN 1993-1-8
  • Cylindrical helical spring according to EN 13906

Further analyses:

  • Nonlinear and crash analyses
  • Heat transfer analyses
  • Topological optimizations
  • Eigenvalue analyses
  • Stability analyses
  • Damage analyses and repair solutions

Our Approach

Depending on the customer’s specifications, PROSE carries out strength analyses in parallel with the design in its own development team or works directly with the customer’s team. PROSE covers the entire range of the analysis from the development of the load assumptions to the modelling to the efficient execution of the calculations and simulations as well as the evaluation of the results. Based on the strength analyses, PROSE can prepare test specifications for structural tests, accompany tests and, if required, validate the strength model with the evaluation. PROSE engineers have interdisciplinary know-how also in non-railway specific problems. Furthermore, PROSE also takes over the coaching of simulation processes and supports as a neutral consultant.

Customer benefit

Through the early use of strength analyses in the design process, weak points are identified and eliminated at an early stage, costly test series are avoided and the quality of the product is decisively improved. In addition to a qualified calculation, PROSE attaches great importance to the interpretation and presentation of the results required for the customer, including explanations and, if necessary, documentation relevant for approval. Due to its great flexibility, PROSE can respond to customer requests at very short notice

        

Implementation of the approval project for lifting platforms used on tunnel maintenance vehicles

Customer: SBB Infrastructure, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Homologation management
  • Risk analysis on system level
  • Verification of stability by calculation
  • Verification of occupational safety, railroad safety

Our Approach

In a first phase, the basics for approval had to be elaborated for the two applications. Then, the feasibility was evaluated concluding a proof of stability, but also regarding commercial aspects. The necessary measures were derived here after to ensure safe operation. This report was discussed with the customer and the responsible authority (FOT).  In the second phase, the customer implemented the measures, PROSE controlled this implementation and prepared an evidence report.

Customer benefit

With the practical knowledge of the involved persons from SBB and PROSE, simple, cost-effective and practicable measures could be realized. The step by step process lead to legal certainty without investment before it was clear, that the project will reach its objective. By considering worker’s safety from the very beginning, the approval process could be simplified. Thus, no separate approval with a second approval authority was necessary, reducing time and costs as well as the related approval risk.

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.

Verification of train path price calculation

Project tasks

  • Testing of the vehicle-specific track price calculation
  • Examination according to BAV Document “Base price wear and tear in the track price 2017 – Instructions for the vehicle price determination”
  • Test in the function as recognised by the BAV independent test centre
  • Preparation of a test report and issuing a Test confirmation after successful Audit

Our approach

The track access charging scheme/calculation was tested with various vehicle specific data based on the “Base price wear and tear in the track price 2017 – Instructions for the vehicle price determination”. PROSE applied and received the official recognition by the BAV as independent test center after successful audit. Hence, PROSE is officially certified to perform track access charge analysis for specific vehicles and issue a test confirmations.

Customer benefit

The vehicle-specific calculation of vehicle prices by means of the results of multi-body simulations takes into account track-friendly construction methods of vehicles. This means that the vehicles can be operated with correspondingly lower train path prices.

Assessment of brake problems snow clearing vehicle

Customer: ZAUGG AG EGGIWIL, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Independent assessment of the braking performance of the snow removal vehicle ZRR10000M Trafikverket

Our approach

The task included research of existing standards and operational regulations, the investigation of the implication in case of a lining change as well as consultations with brake suppliers / operators. Based on these technical and operational data, experiences and general conditions, PROSE prepared an independent investigation and assessment of the mentioned brake problems under severe winter conditions including recommendations for action.

Customer benefit

The assessment is used for submission to the vehicle operator. With the various solutions and recommended actions adapted to the vehicle, reliable operation of the vehicle can be achieved. Thus, the customer can fulfill the obligations towards the operator. Furthermore, the report serves as a basis for the approval with corresponding argumentations, which makes it easier for the customer to appear before the registration office and the end customer.

 

Verification of clearance between infrastructure gauge and infrastructure

Customer: Stadtwerke München GmbH (SWM), Germany

Project tasks

  • Support of the SWM project management in the technical evaluation of the results of the infrastructure survey
  • Interpretation of the results with regard to the requirements resulting from §18 of the BOStrab (German regulation on the construction and operation of tramways)
  • Recommendation of the measures to be taken
  • Preparation of the final report of the initial survey for the individual metro lines for submission to the technical supervisory authority

Our Approach

​With laser surveying, the existing installations are recorded with a precision that was previously impossible. PROSE supports the SWM project management in the technical evaluation of the results of the infrastructure survey. This includes the interpretation about the requirements resulting from §18 of the BOStrab as well as the measures to be taken. In addition, PROSE prepares the final report of the initial survey for the individual metro lines for submission to the technical supervisory authority.

Customer benefit

PROSE has experts with many years of expertise regarding the interaction of infrastructure and vehicle and especially regarding the clearance of the light area. This enables PROSE to advise clients on the interpretation of the applicable guidelines in case of ambiguous facts. PROSE was able to prove to SWM that several objects, which were initially classified as violating the clearance, do not pose a threat regarding the clearance. Thus, the customer could avoid a cost-intensive dismantling of these objects.

Assessment of the safety against derailment of a historic fleet running on “bicycle safe” track

Customer: Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe (BVB), Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Recording of vehicle data of the historical fleet
  • Clustering of the vehicles
  • Measurement of the “velogleis” system on site
  • Evaluation of the relevant parameters and classification regarding the applicability

Our Approach

By means of an objective computational method, PROSE evaluates the usability of the vehicles. The investigation of the derailment safety of the historical vehicles is performed regarding the track-related system parameters at the according location. Since such vehicle-technical data are only available to a limited extent for historic vehicles, the running gear design of the vehicles is additionally examined on site in the maintenance pit. For the evaluation regarding the usability, the wheel contact force is analyzed among other topics and the vehicle groups are evaluated according to their use (yes, no, under certain conditions) and documented in a report.

Customer benefit

PROSE’s expertise provides the customer with a statement about the usability of their historic vehicles over the installed track system “velogleis”.

Support for procurement of catenary line installation vehicle

Customer: Furrer+Frey AG, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Technical clarification, evaluation
  • Preparation and negotiation of the contract framework
  • Project management and client representation
  • Examination of the railspecific specifications
  • Manufacturing supervision
  • Homologation support in Switzerland, Germany and Austria
  • Service introduction support

Our Approach

In the tender phase Furrer+Frey AG entrusted PROSE with the technical clarification for the evaluation as well as with preparation and negotiation of the contract framework. In the execution phase PROSE officially represented the customer.

Customer benefit

Furrer+Frey AG profits from PROSE’s vast experience with procurement of rolling stock and from PROSE’s rail-specific expert knowledge. Competent and experienced experts provide support in the fields of design, development, manufacture and homologation of vehicles so that the customer does not have to provide project-specific resources. The project team managed by PROSE realizes early delivery of a customized vehicle adapted to the company’s work processes. The positive operating approval for Switzerland is included and the budget limit not exceeded.

info@prose.one

 

Our solutions
© PROSE. All rights reserved
Disclaimer     Privacy Policy