Among the company’s current larger projects is the electrification of the Danish rail network in consortium with Siemens, building the 28 km long new Greater Copenhagen Light Rail, and establishing the new CBTC signalling system on the 170 km long Copenhagen suburban S-Train network.
Automatic inspection systems
Aarsleff Rail offers a line of automatic inspection systems for trains and catenary components. The unique systems combine advanced sensor technology with modern digital technology, and automatically collect all relevant information about train and catenary condition. The automatic systems replace time-consuming, manual visual inspections, and provide a very accurate and reliable surveillance of the state of the equipment. This saves time and money, with the added benefit of data being supplied at a higher level of quality and safety. The company tailors each system to the customer’s needs to allow for maximum benefits and ease of operation.
Fully automatic systems require minimal operation as they are self-monitoring. Sensor technologies including visual cameras, distance measuring, temperature measuring, radars, ultrasounds, and microphones are used to monitor a range of different components.
Brake pad inspection
One type of inspection system that Aarsleff Rail provides for the Danish railway company DSB is the advanced automatic inspection system for measuring wear on brake linings as part of the brake system. Placed in a protective box between the rails, six cameras scan the brake linings on the carriages as they pass. A tailor-made algorithm analyses the images and calculates with 1/10mm accuracy wear on the coatings. The system sends a notification to the customer’s maintenance system to notify that the brake lining is to be replaced at the next workshop visit.
Three ABI 3.6 systems are installed on two central locations in Denmark and can scan passing trains at speeds of up to 60 km/h. DSB expects the ABI-installations to have paid for themselves in just a few years.
Catenary inspection
With a unique combination of laser and digital technology, Aarsleff Rail can measure the location of overhead power masts, overhead lines, and carrying ropes with 1mm accuracy from a road/rail vehicle at a speed of 20km/h. The Laser Measuring Vehicle allows the data to be exported to any 3D software or asset management system and used for determining a condition and required maintenance schedule.
Mechanical track reconstruction
Aarsleff has carried out mechanical track reconstructions on rail lines for Banedanmark and Lokaltog throughout Denmark. The company has built expertise in this area by collaborating with many international partners for several years on a variety of different projects. Most projects include a range of subject areas such as earthworks, safety engineering, SR work management, and high current and driving current. Mechanical track conversion is also often part of a project.
Mechanical track rebuilding is fast and efficient and suitable for use when longer stretches of track need to be built. Using an advanced track conversion train, the operation is carried out in one go.
A Scandinavian organisation
Since 2014, Aarsleff Rail has joined forces with three sister companies from the Aarsleff Group in Sweden and Norway, allowing it to extend its business to Scandinavia, in addition to its activities in Germany. Working across borders allows a larger market to benefit from the company’s development of technology, equipment, and its attention to cooperation with customers and partners.
In Norway and Sweden, Aarsleff has executed projects involving a wide range of railway skills. The company has been erecting platform bridges, rebuilding stations, and carrying out preparational work for ERTMS-installation, as well as renewing complete catenary systems and track works. By sharing knowhow and resources between the group of Scandinavian companies and focusing on cooperation, the company’s common goal is to offer good quality, efficient project management and business development to mutually benefit the Scandinavian market.
More projects are in the pipeline and, recently, Trym Anlegg AS has become a member of the Aarsleff Group, paving the way for even more exiting projects across Scandinavia in the coming years.
About Aarsleff
Aarsleff specialises in railway infrastructure projects. The company has many years of experience with a variety of different types of track work. For each project and each customer, the company adapts and develops its equipment and methods of execution to provide a quality service that meets clients‘ specific needs.
As one of Denmark’s leading railway contractors, Aarsleff provides innovative and efficient solutions for the railway infrastructure. Customer satisfaction is also important to the company and cooperation before, during, and after a project is vital.
The company has over 550 qualified employees and a fleet of specialised machines, allowing it to carry out tasks across Denmark. When required, the company also works with international partners to add value for customers.