The Great Belt Rail Bridge

Addressing Challenges on Vestbroen – The Great Belt Bridge

The Great Belt Rail Bridge faces significant challenges due to constant pulsating traffic and fluctuating water levels in Nyborg. This is  due to soft soil where the rail bridge connects with the mainland. These factors cause movements in the rail sleepers, posing a potential risk to the railway’s structural integrity. To tackle these issues, Sund & Bælt A/S has partnered with Railmonitor to implement a cutting-edge digital monitoring solution.

Wireless Sensors and Railmonitor’s Digital Service Platform

In collaboration with Railmonitor, Sund & Bælt A/S has installed wireless sensors on the railway tracks of the “Vestbroen” section of the Great Belt Rail Bridge. These sensors are strategically placed in the middle of the concrete sleepers between the tracks to monitor every movement caused by the heavy traffic and fluctuating water levels.

The real value lies in Railmonitor’s software, which continuously receives data from the sensors, providing real-time insights into the track’s condition. This advanced railway monitoring system transforms maintenance from a reactive approach to condition-based and further to predictive maintenance, significantly enhancing efficiency and safety.

Lars Fuhr Pedersen, CTO of Sund & Bælt, emphasizes the benefits:

“This is a major cost saving because we don’t have to send people out to conduct traditional measuring methods in order to get data. Now we are able to monitor the rail track 24 hours a day.”

Conclusion

By leveraging Railmonitor’s state-of-the-art digital monitoring solution, TrackBed³⁶⁰ , Sund & Bælt A/S is effectively addressing the challenges posed by the Great Belt Rail Bridge’s demanding environment, ensuring the safety and reliability of this critical rail infrastructure asset. This innovative approach not only improves the longevity and stability of the railway but also sets a new standard for railway maintenance practices. The continuous, real-time monitoring capability provided by Railmonitor allows for proactive management of potential issues, ultimately leading to a safer and more efficient railway system.

For more detailed information, you can read the full article (in Danish) in Ugebladet Ingeniøren