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TRIMIS

Development of basic knowledge and tools for LCC / RAMS- optimized maintenance strategy of urban rail infrastructure

Project

UI2P InfraIntegrity - Development of basic knowledge and tools for LCC / RAMS- optimized maintenance strategy of urban rail infrastructure


Funding origin:
Austria
Austria
STRIA Roadmaps:
Transport infrastructure (INF)
Transport infrastructure
Transport mode:
Rail
Rail
Transport sectors:
Passenger transport
Passenger transport
Freight transport
Freight transport
Duration:
Start date: 01/04/2009,
End date: 01/06/2011

Status: Finished
Funding details:

Overview

Background & policy context:

Growing demand on rail-bound public passenger transport systems requires new maintenance strategies in terms of economic efficiency, safety, availability, transport quality and environmental impact.

Objectives:

The “UI2P InfraIntegrity” Project should identify the scientific fundamentals of defining a long-term and integrated wheel/rail maintenance strategy based on prognosis-oriented LCC (Life Cycle Cost) and RAMS (Regional Atmospheric Modelling System) models. The Project will produce the necessary framework for an appropriate management system including targets, quantities, parameters, limit values, assessment methods and data, as well as the requirements to be met by data collection and evaluation tools. It aims to take a holistic approach to identifying, assessing and optimising infrastructure construction, maintenance and management strategies.

Methodology:

This aim is to be achieved by using state-of-the-art methods and a field study (practice report) to examine data references, as well as the quality and consistency of data available to infrastructure managers. Examination will cover the existing stock of data on generating (design and construction data), usage (operational control systems), recording the condition (of inspection and measurement data), and maintaining (process and activity data) infrastructure assets in interaction with rolling stock. For this purpose, methods and models will be used which are capable of robustly handling indistinct, inconsistent and incomplete data. The option of integrating supplementary measurements generated by new technologies will be examined.

Based on the above the Project will study the suitability of available and if required, new methodological approaches and models for implementing an appropriate maintenance strategy. This will lead to the development of a practical and useful management approach with due regard to operational and macroeconomic conditions and their special dynamics.

The “UI2P InfraIntegrity” Project will create the basis for a comprehensive and integrated management approach, including the necessary tools, to ensure efficient maintenance of urban rail infrastructure and its scheduling across an entire life cycle. This will be achieved by identifying and shaping the relevant "levers" and their impact on the cost effectiveness of proposed and implemented policies. Special attention will be given to the usability of methods and tools in daily practice. Based on integrity checks and optimised LCC/RAMS methods, this management system will provide recommendations on necessary maintenance operations and their planning. Such a management system will also meet deregulation requirements with due regard to European developments and Austrian legislation (such as §39 of the Federal Railways Act [EisbG], SMS). The management system’s rulebook may provide a standard for urban transit providers.

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