Introduction

Near the city of Dürnbach in Austria, ÖBB,, the Austrian infrastructure owner, faces a significant challenge posed by an unstable railway embankment. Due to its location in the middle of a hill, the embankment is highly exposed to water runoff during rainfall or snow melting, impacting the stability of the railway.

Challenge: Railway Stability Monitoring

The embankment’s exposure to fluctuating water levels during rain or snowmelt presents a unique challenge. The drainage system installed at the site often struggles to manage the water, which infiltrates the ballast and compromises railway stability. To address this, ÖBB required a solution to monitor movements in the track bed and water content in the ballast, providing continuous, 24/7 insights.

Solution: Implementing TrackBed³⁶⁰ for Comprehensive Monitoring

ÖBB partnered with Railmonitor to deploy their  TrackBed³⁶⁰ solution. This tailored solution includes tilt sensors to monitor track bed movements and moisture sensors to measure water content in the ballast. Data from these sensors is automatically delivered to Railmonitor’s Digital Service Platform, offering real-time insights and triggering alarms if preset thresholds are exceeded.

Results and Benefits: Targeted Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance

Through the implementation of TrackBed³⁶⁰ , ÖBB gained a precise understanding of the railway and embankment behavior at Dürnbach. The data revealed that only 50 meters of the 200-meter stretch required constant monitoring due to significant fluctuations in water levels.

With Railmonitor’s software, ÖBB can condition monitor and predict when and where they need to address water levels proactively. This targeted approach allows ÖBB to allocate resources more efficiently, optimize maintenance strategies, and enhance overall railway stability and safety.

About ÖBB

ÖBB, the Austrian Federal Railways, is dedicated to managing and maintaining the country’s railway infrastructure and services. Their collaboration with Railmonitor underscores their commitment to leveraging innovative solutions to enhance railway safety and stability.

About Railmonitor

Railmonitor specializes in providing advanced digital monitoring solutions for railway infrastructure and construction. Their TrackBed³⁶⁰ system helps clients like ÖBB optimize maintenance strategies, ensuring the stability and safety of railway networks through continuous and precise monitoring.