In light of the limited amount of funds available for investment and in view of lengthy planning and approval times for the construction of new rail lines, more efficient use of existing rail lines is becoming increasingly important – through greater utilization, higher travel speeds or longer (and heavier) trains. However, the higher the load on the rail infrastructure, the greater the wear and the more important ongoing monitoring and maintenance becomes in order to avoid failures. Vossloh can make two contributions to increase the availability of rail tracks: On the one hand, Vossloh can develop and manufacture products that are more durable and require less maintenance. On the other hand Vossloh can also play a part in making rail network maintenance more efficient. When it comes to switch and rail maintenance, Vossloh covers the entire range of requirements for corrective milling and preventive grinding: In mainline and mass transit networks alike, the company’s high speed grinding (HSG), high performance milling (VTM performance), multipurpose milling (VTM compact) and Flexis system offer tailored solutions for every type of rail line that extend the service life and usability of rail infrastructure. Vossloh provides welding services and logistics expertise ranging from rail and switch replacement to the complete overhaul of rail lines.
In doing so, the Group combines the use of its innovative grinding and milling technologies with a diagnosis of the condition of the infrastructure. It is precisely in this area that digitalization opens up considerable potential, especially for condition-based and, in the future, predictive maintenance. Rail and switch condition data from track-based systems are supplemented by the diagnostic data provided by the grinding machines equipped with measuring technology. Applications such as mapl-e and MR.Pro will merge the collected data into Vossloh‘s cloud-based platform, provide a quick overview of the need for action for the line (sections) and suggest appropriate measures for damage prevention or repair. The benefit is self-evident: Smart maintenance is based on the actual need for action instead of servicing at fixed intervals as in the past. At the same time, Vossloh’s grinding machines are designed to be incorporated into scheduled traffic. This means that rail lines no longer have to be closed for maintenance.