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Support for procurement of a road-rail motor tower car

Customer: BERNMOBIL, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Requirements management
  • Contract for work and materials as well as call for tenders
  • Evaluation of tenders
  • Examination of the specifications
  • Manufacturing supervision
  • Acceptance support
  • Test support FOT

Our Approach

In the tender phase BERNMOBIL engaged PROSE with requirements management, which included the preparation of the requirements specification and all other documents needed for the public request for tenders. Apart from the technical specifications, this also included work and material contracts, availability and reliability requirements, the evaluation model with assessment matrix, and general conditions for the future maintenance and support contract covering the first ten years of operation.

Customer benefit

BERNMOBIL profited from our vast, practice-oriented experience with procurement of rolling stock, as well as from our rail-specific expert knowledge. PROSE also provided access to competent and experienced contacts who could answer questions regarding the design, development, production and homologation of vehicles. The customer was also able to take advantage from the knowledge acquired by PROSE during the execution phase for all important project steps.

Consulting for efficiency increase in maintenance and life cycle cost optimisation

Customer: ÖBB Personenverkehr AG, Austria

Project tasks

  • Implementation of benchmark and a concrete guidance for the application of the optimisation measures
  • Determination of the cost saving potential
  • Development of a standard methodology for future use cases in ÖBB passenger transport

Our Approach

First, an analysis of the current technical procurement depth of the tenders was carried out. In the next step, model calculations of investment costs (CAPEX) and operating costs (OPEX) were prepared, and a benchmark of the existing options for action was defined. The recommendations elaborated by PROSE show which adjustments would be reasonable in order to use the advantages optimally.

Customer benefit

PROSE enables ÖBB to provide a comprehensive overview and thus provides a basis for decisions on the choice of measures with which its medium and long-term goal of increasing efficiency can be realized.

Development and delivery of module test stands for railroad construction machines

Customer: Plasser & Theurer, Export von Bahnbaumaschinen, Gesellschaft m.b.H., Austria

Project tasks

  • Development, delivery and commissioning of test benches for vehicle modules for construction machinery (e.g. power pack, cabin)

Our Approach

For the specific implementation of the tests, PROSE developed suitable algorithms for an optimal test process. PROSE was responsible for the complete delivery of the test stand in the project, from the conception and construction to the delivery of the fully assembled test benches.

Customer benefit

Plasser&Theurer benefited from PROSE’s engineering experience during the project. By outsourcing the entire development and engineering project, the customer had the advantage of having fully designed and assembled test benches available by the time the first vehicle modules were completed. The commissioning of the test benches by PROSE ensured that the components to be pre-tested only had to be mounted and connected to the test frame, which significantly reduced the overall production and commissioning time.

 

Cost Estimation for Object Controlling Software Development

Customer: SBB, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Analysis of the modular concept
  • Verification of the basis technology
  • Estimation of the development time
  • Estimation of the development efforts
  • Evaluation of risks

Our Approach

As part of the industry program SmartRail 4.0, SBB are developing a concept for a geometric ETCS interlocking system. The Object Controller is the connecting element between the existing interlocking system, the new generation of interlocking systems and the existing trackside assets. To be able to estimate the basis technology and the development time as well as the development effort, PROSE was commissioned to evaluate the existing concept documents and to create the evaluation documents.

PROSE put together a team of experienced vehicle maintenance experts. The work contents and processes were systematically analysed and proposals for adjustments and possible improvements were formulated. In a second phase, the identified areas were discussed in workshops with specialists from RAlpin and the maintenance service provider and the final formulation of the work contents and processes for the regulations were determined. The documents were revised by PROSE and a new revision was prepared for release.

Customer benefit

SBB already has experienced employees in the field of safety-related systems. But since the Object Controller was very important for the migration, and to assure a higher precision in the estimation of development effort and time, as well as to identify further possible risks, PROSE was contacted for a second opinion. PROSE has employees experienced in signalling and software development as well as safety-related issues. These experiences are combined in a wellversed team to the benefit of the customer.

Drafting specifications for trams

Customer: Kasseler Verkehrs-Gesellschaft AG, Germany

Project tasks

  • Recording of customer requirements regarding the vehicle technology
  • Revision and extension of the specification sheet
  • Consideration of the current state of the art
  • Observance of the currently valid technical rules and standard
  • Evaluation matrix

Our Approach

PROSE prepared a draft of the specification sheet based on the applicable regulations and the specific requirements of Kasseler Verkehrs-Gesellschaft AG (KVG) as well as using the experience from other tramway pro-jects. Together with KVG AG, a detailed examination and finalization of the specification sheet took place as well as the development of an evaluation matrix for the subsequent bid evaluation.

Customer benefit

The customer can benefit from a broad and independent expert support during the preparation of the specification by PROSE. The market knowledge of PROSE helps the customer to create the specifications, always considering the requirements of the public transport.

Simulation of derailment safety for an innovative tramway vehicle

Customer: Traila, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Checking and compilation of the modeling parameters
  • Checking the implementation of the boundary conditions in the simulation environment
  • Evaluation of the results
  • Expert support and access to leading industry knowledge
  • Key supporter of technology development

Our Approach

Traila requested the support of PROSE to validate their simulation concepts and testing scenarios using the industry standard SIMPACK. In addition, PROSE was requested to validate the derailment safety analysis needed to successfully operate a test tram on the VBZ network. Traila developed a Matlab-based simulation model using Simscape MBD for system integration analysis purposes, as standard and detailed wheel-rail contact models for their application were not available at the time. Traila continues to invest in their simulation capabilities, to support the extensive development of the Traila technology.

Customer benefit

“Due to the extensive experience of the experts at PROSE with MBD modeling of rail vehicles, Traila was able to perform the derailment safety verification quickly, efficiently and successfully,” according to Dr. Tom Morris CEO of Traila. “Additionally, PROSE was quick to react and provide support when we needed it.”

Interior design of Delhi Metro

Customer: Bombardier Transportation, Sweden
End customer: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, India

Project tasks

  • Specification assessment of the equipment to be procured
  • Complete interior design of passenger interior and driver’s cab
  • Evaluation assistance of sub-suppliers bids
  • Overall assistance until delivery and assembly of the first trains

Our Approach

Bombardier was contracted to supply 424 metro trains to New Delhi’s metro corporation. PROSE was commissioned by Bombardier with the complete passenger interior and cab, excluding seats and floors.

Customer benefit

PROSE cooperated closely with Bombardier’s industrial design team and was able to meet customers’ expectations on the design elegance.
Low weight, high resistance to wear and high fire resistance requirements were met.

Support for project management in procuring interregional rolling stock

Customer: zb Zentralbahn AG, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Project management of the buying process of the new rolling stock
  • Consideration of the client-specific requirements regarding marketing, finances, technique and company
  • External project management with PROSE acting as an agency

Our Approach

PROSE acted as an expert regarding the bogies and the technical documentation. Our experts were at customer ZB’s disposal to solve open issues, such as technical issues and the correct reference to pertinent standards, while ZB drafted procurement specifications. The service was rendered in close collaboration with ZB’s project management, which enabled receiving technical advice from PROSE within the tight project schedule.

Customer benefit

Cost-effective supply, operation and maintenance of the required rolling stock on the basis of clearly defined, contractual terms. Increased attractiveness due to a client-friendly utilization concept with a high availability.

 

ZPS vehicle expert for the electric network “Saar-RB”

Customer: ZPS – Zweckverband Personennahverkehr Saarland, Germany;
SPNV Nord – Zweckverband Schienenpersonennahverkehr Rheinland-Pfalz Nord, Germany;
SPNV Süd – Zweckverband Schienenpersonennahverkehr Rheinland-Pfalz Süd, Germany

Project tasks

  • Assessment of the functional requirements, quality and schedule
  • Development of technical solutions
  • Establishment and maintenance of a vehicle information system
  • Technical advice within the framework of the control group

Our approach

First, an assessment of the functional requirements, quality assurance plan and delivery schedule was carried out. Then the requirements for the asset management and reporting system were collected. The system was tendered and evaluated and a suitable supplier was selected. Along with the commissioning of the asset management and reporting systems, the control group that oversees the design, manufacture and commissioning as well as maintenance of the vehicles was commissioned, ensuring long-term value of the assets.

Customer benefit

Reduced risk for the competent authority when procuring the vehicles.
The authority can make correct and targeted decisions thanks to the technical solutions developed by PROSE.

   

Load assumptions and strength analysis of tramway track components

Customer: Würzburger Straßenbahn GmbH, KÜNSTLER Bahntechnik GmbH, Germany

Project tasks

  • Clarification of the intended track layout, speed restrictions and wheel/rail profile conditions
  • Setup of appropriate multi body system (MBS) models of the tracks including the cross-sections of the switch blades as well as three types of existing tram vehicles
  • Conduction of a variation of MBS simulation runs and extraction of loads acting on track components like e.g. rails, switch tongues; setup of related load assumptions
  • Setup of a finite element model (FEM) e.g. of the switch tongues and the surrounding structure
  • Fatigue strength assessment of the track component while applying the loads as gained from the MBS simulations
  • Proposals of design improvements regarding the strength
  • Meter gauge tram application
  • Tracks including deep grooved switches

Our Approach

Running dynamics simulations have been performed to determine the wheel/rail loads, which are acting on the related track components. The specific conditions of WSB have been considered while conducting multi body system (MBS) simulations for all three types of vehicles in all relevant directions of travel through the triangular joint “Sanderring” as well as the tracks in front of the central railway station. As a result, load assumptions for the track components under assessment (e.g. switch tongues) have been extracted from the MBS simulations. A finite element model (FEM) of the component and the surrounding structure was set up. The wheel/rail load assumptions as derived from the MBS simulations have been applied to the FEM model. A fatigue assessment was conducted while analyzing the strength amplitude as deriving from the maximum strength. Based on the FEM results, specific design adjustments have been recommended to improve the strength.

Customer benefit

One major benefit is the minimization of the risk e.g. of occurrence of cracks. This is especially important, as new tram vehicles by tendency come along with higher axle loads and are thus more demanding regarding the strength of track components. Another benefit is the reusability of the load assumptions as well as the strength analysis for future tenders of similar track layouts under comparable conditions. Two of the three MBS vehicle models have already been setup in a former project for WSB. Thus, the benefit of reusability without initial modelling efforts was already used in this project.

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