End customer: Public transport company of Wuppertal, Germany
Project tasks
Development of the mechanical vehicle modules, i.e. car body and bogie
Project management
Definition and supervision of component tests
Homologation support
Our Approach
PROSE was responsible for the complete engineering of the main mechanical modules of the vehicle, which were the car body and the bogie.
Customer benefit
Given that PROSE was in charge of the vehicle development, customer VKD, who previously had been a component supplier, was able to expand its portfolio to the delivery of complete vehicles to the end customer. The know how of PROSE’s engineers in the field of turnkey engineering of complete vehicles, which is based on many years of experience with light-weight construction, was a basic condition for the successful results.
Interface management with operators and corporate management
Our Approach
To fulfill the challenges in application of the EU Regulation 402/2013, Article (18), Paragraph (3), PROSE developed an operational risk management tool for SBB Cargo. All other asset management departments were trained by PROSE to meaningfully integrate the RM tool and the K250 procedure into their daily work.
Customer benefit
In terms of the application of the EU Regulation 1078/2012 at SBB Cargo as an overall company, this tool developed by PROSE and its regular application ensures the strategy, priorities and implementation plan of the control processes.
In a hybrid workshop moderated and conducted by PROSE experts, questions will be discussed. Different topics like the safety assessment report, efficient decision bases and tools for the identification of significant changes will be addressed. The optimization of the system boundary definition, the optimization of the requirement capture and the optimization of the safety plan are also discussed in detail. The issues are underpinned with practical examples.
Customer benefit
Thus, processes and methodologies are optimized at Plasser & Theurer to the extent that the effort is reduced, and the lead times are shortened, but always in compliance with the requirements of the CSM EU VO 402/2013. The results of the workshop including recommendations for the further procedure were summarized by PROSE in a short report after the workshop.
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.
New vehicle developments:
Feasibility studies, risk analysis (failure conditions) and support of concept studies based on computer simulations
Vehicle approval:
Simulations for the assessment of running characteristics, model validation, simulations for the extension of approvals, simulations related to track access charges
Investigation of operational issues:
Clarification of causes for derailments, assessment of the effects of changes, analysis of unexpected wear, wheel-rail interface studies
Special operational conditions:
Pushing/pulling of inoperable multiple units, propelling tests
Wheel set torsional vibrations
Special applications such as gauge changing bogies, maglev or (suspended) monorails
Our Approach
PROSE has many years of experience in the dynamic simulation of rail vehicles, acquired through the running dynamic analyses for various own bogie developments and many calculations for manufacturers and operators. PROSE has also supported various innovative developments and research projects. Due to this expertise, PROSE is the suitable partner for the investigation of challenging questions in the field of rail vehicle dynamics. Through analyses and simulations, PROSE helps customers to identify weak points at an early stage, to avoid costly test series and to decisively improve the quality of the products.
PROSE covers the entire range of simulation steps, from the definition of the simulation task, the system boundary conditions and the compilation of the required model parameters to efficient model building, execution of the simulations and evaluation of the results. Based on many years of experience, PROSE is able to reliably estimate parameters which are difficult to determine and to select the appropriate modelling depth for the respective problem. The commercial simulation software system SIMPACK as well as special applications developed in-house are available for the calculations. Depending on customer requirements, PROSE carries out analyses in parallel to the design process in the own development team or as part of the customer’s team. PROSE also contributes with interdisciplinary know-how to non-railway-specific solutions.
Customer benefit
Qualified simulations reduce the development risk or help to solve problems that have occurred. In addition to a qualified calculation, PROSE attaches great importance to the interpretation and presentation of the results to the customer, including in-depth explanations and the necessary formal documentation relevant to homologation if requested. PROSE can also provide coaching support for simulation processes and act as a neutral consultant. Due to a flexible organisation, PROSE can respond to customer requests at very short notice.
