Introduction:

Amsterdam Amstel train station, a cultural-historical monument constructed in the 1930s, underwent significant construction in the summer of 2020. This iconic station required upgrades to accommodate modern transit demands, posing unique challenges due to its historical significance and operational railway and metro tracks. Therefore undergoing a historic train station renovation.

Background:

The train station Amsterdam Amstel was designed and constructed in the 1930s. It is considered to be a cultural-historical monument. The train station is an example of the expansion of Amsterdam and its architecture at the beginning of the 20^th century. A monumental glass facade depicts the optimism of the pre-war era and stands out toward the square in front of the station.

Challenge

Within the station, there were two railway tracks and two metro tracks. There was a busy service with trains running south and east of Amsterdam. Also, there were three metro lines connecting the suburbs of Amsterdam and the ring line.

The purpose of the project was to provide an even more frequent train service, with trains coming in every few minutes. As a result, added access from the existing passenger tunnel to the platform above was to be built.

Together with GVB (municipal transport company), the national rail service ProRail had the overall responsibility. ProRail contracted Strukton to engineer and construct an access tunnel, a staircase, and an associated platform.

The project was comprehensive, and all involved parties were working on a tight deadline. Within 16 days and while working close to a track in service, rough construction of the additional access was to be finalized.

Solution

To address the complexities of the rail construction amidst operational tracks, Unihorn BV, a civil engineering company, partnered with Railmonitor to utilize their TrackBed³⁶⁰ solution as a main means of monitoring the rail project.

TrackBed³⁶⁰ can be tailored to fit specific monitoring needs. In this case, the solution consisted of a total of 29 sensors, however, only 20 of these were mounted onto the track bed. The remaining 9 sensors were mounted onto the building and the platform, respectively, and have been distributed like so:

• 4 tilt sensors were mounted onto the side of the platform
• 5 tilt sensors were mounted onto specific pillars supporting the station hall surrounding the excavated tunnel

The sensors on the track bed monitored cant, twist, slope, and bend. The sensors on the platform and pillars monitored the inclination in the X and Y-axis. Even the smallest signs of movement or changes would be detected by these sensors.

For most construction projects it is sufficient to collect data every 15 or 30 minutes. However, the construction at Amstel Amsterdam set other demands. In this project, the sensor data was collected and processed every minute. The data gathered by TrackBed³⁶⁰ is automatically sent to Railmonitor’s software platform, the Digital Service Platform, where data is turned into actionable insights. Additionally, if any movements or changes ever exceeded the allowable threshold, a warning would immediately be sent to relevant stakeholders.

The implementation of TrackBed³⁶⁰ enabled Unihorn BV to closely monitor construction progress and detect any deviations or movements that could indicate potential issues. Real-time data processing facilitated prompt action in response to any deviations from allowable thresholds, sending instant alarms to relevant personal should limits be exceeded. Additionally, the system generated daily condition reports, ensuring stakeholders and authorities remained informed about the project’s status.

Benefits:

The adoption of Railmonitor’s digital monitoring solution ensured the safety of passengers and workers during construction at Amsterdam Amstel station. Moreover, it contributed to the efficient execution of the renovation project, minimizing disruptions to transit services and enhancing overall project outcomes.

About Unihorn BV:

Unihorn BV is a prominent civil engineering company specializing in infrastructure projects across the Netherlands.