On October 18th, the third In2Track3 webinar was held. The theme for the day (or rather hour) was aspects of digital solutions for the railway industry.

This webinar is part of In2Track3’s exploitation activities. In it we will present two of our key exploitable results, KER, and seek ways for them to be utilized. You will get both the developer’s and the end user’s perspective in the webinar.

The purpose is to demonstrate our results and promote upscaling and replication of what we have developed.

Key exploitable results:

• Digital twin solution for crossing panels 
• Track design and track maintenance guidelines to reduce curve squeal
• A new methodology to predict the long-term performance of the transition zones

Presentation 1

In the first presentation we will hear Björn Pålsson, Chalmers University of Technology, present the project’s findings on how digital twin solutions can increase safety for railway crossing panels. Swedish Trafikverket has tested the technology in the project and Arne Nissen will present the experiences they have.

Presentation 2

In2Track3 has investigated new track design and maintenance to reduce curve squeal. Astrid Pieringer, Chalmers University of Technology will present main results from that work. Urs Schönholzer, SBB, will talk about the experiences from testing the technology in Switzerland.

Presentation 3

Railway track transition zones are characterized by an abrupt change in track support stiffness, which increases dynamic wheel loads and leads to the acceleration of differential settlement and track degradation. The performance of transition zones is a concern for railway Infrastructure Managers due to the increased maintenance operations and costs typically associated with these short track sections. Therefore, this work aims to present a study focused on transition zones. The analysis was performed using a hybrid methodology, combining 3D finite element modelling with empirical settlement equations, in an iterative manner. The finite element model is capable of simulating train-track interaction and uses contact elements to simulate the potential detachment (voiding). At each iteration, firstly the track-ground stress fields are calculated using a 3D model, before passing them to a calibrated empirical equation capable of computing settlement across the transition. Swedish Trafikverket has tested the methodology within the project and Matthias Asplund will present their experiences.