Archimede will Check the High-Speed Line in Turkey.
08 November 2006 11:20
Italy, October 2006 - Archimede, the measuring train of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), has been chosen for the inspection and assessment of the first Turkish high-speed line that will link Istanbul to Ankara.
Thanks to Archimede, Italian technology will achieve new recognition abroad.The measuring train, conceived by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, the FS Group's infrastructure company, and designed and developed by MER MEC, has been chosen for diagnostics and assessment of the new Turkish high-speed line that will connect Istanbul and Ankara, the two crucial centres of Turkey, at the top speed of 250km/h.
The measuring campaign is due to start on October 29, the day that marks the 83rd anniversary of the estabishment of the Turkish Republic. The decision to begin on this day shows that this high-speed rail network is expected to guarantee the country a worthy transportation system.
The first high-speed line will be completed in 2008, allowing passengers to travel from Istanbul to Ankara in 3h10min, as opposed to the current 6h30min. Every year, 12 million people move between the two metropolises, mainly preferring airplane or car to train. According to a recent study on the competitiveness of the high-speed network in Turkey, the commercial launch of the new line will allow Turkish Railways to rapidly increase market share from 10% to 78% thanks to the 419 passengers carried in about half a time by each train.
The Archimede measuring train will implement a complete diagnostic service. It will start from Eskent and, travelling on the new high-speed line for about 10km, it will carry out tests and surveys on track geometry, rail profile, accelerations and ride quality. Data acquired will be analysed directly onboard by RFI and MER MEC technicians. MER MEC is an industry leader and innovator focused on delivering diagnostic and safety solutions to railways worldwide, and is already present in Turkey as technology supplier.
Archimede is able to measure 119 parameters simultaneously at the top speed of 220km/h. It represents the most advanced technological frontier in railway's maintenance field, as confirmed by this new international order. It is usually employed on the Italian rail network for standard controls on existing lines and for tests on new lines. The onboard electronic systems include 57 computers, 24 lasers, 43 optical sensors / cameras, 47 accelometers, as well as about ten sensors for measuring forces, speed, position and temperature. An inertial platform borrowed by avionics research, an innovative cabling system allowing real-time transmission of data acquired by systems, and systems for electromagnetic isolation, fire-prevention and intrusion detection are also incorporated. Moreover, onboard equipment includes interphone installation, an internal phone network and a GSM unit for link with cellular network.
This innovative equipment allows Archimede to measure every parameter of the permanent way (rails, ballast, sleepers) and overhead line (if any) as well as the parameters of the signalling systems. The data acquired can then be correlated.
For more information on this company:
Mer Mec - Rail, Track, Wheel, Overhead Line and Ride Quality Measuring Systems and Vehicles for Condition Monitoring of Conventional and High-Speed Railways
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