Titel_06.indd 1 03.07.2007 15:37:34 Uhr

veloSTRAIL was specifically designed to facilitate convenient passage for the physically disabled and cyclists. A rubber component wearing part, which eliminates the flange groove, is easily replaceable without removingthe inner panel.

Special issueReport on veloSTRAIL Author > Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang Seehafer

Internationale Fachzeitschriftfr Schienenverkehr & Technik

Juni 2007 6VERBAND DEUTSCHER EISENBAHN-INGENIEURE E.V.

The system with

out

flange groove

STRAIL ist eine Marke der GruppeKRAIBURGK

June 2007

Titelseite_Ru?ckseite_en.qxp:Layout 1 18.07.2007 11:44 Uhr Seite 2

LEVEL CROSSING

50 EI Eisenbahningenieur (58) 6/2007

Wolfgang Seehafer

Level crossing without flange grooveAn innovative product for reducing the risk of accidents

At the International Exhibition of Rail-track Technology (iaf), held in Mnster/Westphalia in 2006, and at the InnoTrans railway technology trade fair in Berlin the same year, the Kraiburg Group presen-ted a new level crossing decking from the STRAIL product family called veloSTRAIL.This innovative level crossing system fea-tures an elastic rubber lip which closes the flange groove, making it particularly sui-table for level crossings along footpaths and cycle paths and where road and rail-way lines cross at skewed angles.

AuthorDipl.-Ing. Wolfgang Seehafer, Consultant Engineer, Langen

In accordance with the decree governing railway operation (EBO), a flange groove with a minimum width of 45 mm must be retained for level crossings. This is to enable railway vehicles to roll through the distance between the inside wheel flanges (Fig. 1). The flange groove should not however be wider than 55 mm. Particularly on skewed crossings, the open flange groove represents an accident risk for cyclists, wheelchair users and pedestri-ans. (Fig. 2).In the past, there have been numerous at-tempts at solutions to eliminate this risk but they were unsuitable for use in regular operation under consideration of the gui-delines outlined in the EBO. Exceptions, as regards limiting the minimum dimension or elastic lining of the flange grooves, are only authorised for inferior tracks on which shunting speeds are driven.

Solution

Gummiwerk Kraiburg has meanwhile ex-tended its STRAIL level crossing system to include the veloSTRAIL variant. A rubber lip lies in the flange groove with the result that the gap between the rail profile and level crossing surface is filled, resulting in an even surface for pedestrians and cyclists (Fig. 3). Even the lightest railway vehicle wheel flanges can easily press this rubber lip down when passing the railway cros-sing (Fig. 4).Nor is operational safety impaired by the formation of ice in the flange groo-ve, which means the railway operator no longer needs to keep the flange groove free.

Level crossing system without flange groove

The veloSTRAIL system comprises a 60-cm inner panel with an innovative connection between the panel and the interchangeab-le part (click system without gluing) which is attached to a package without any gaps via a patented lock tight system (Fig. 5). The system is available for standard su-perstructures. A smooth product transition without any edges, as well as an additional rail head lock, ensures excellent properties when subjected to snow ploughs. In winter, the flange groove does not need to be kept free of snow or ice. The innova-tive system is resistant to all standard envi-ronmental influences. Its short-term tem-perature resistance is more than 120 C and has also been tested at minus tempe-ratures to -20 C. The veloSTRAIL system has already been tested for a long period at a level cros-sing operated by a local railway operator in Salzburg, where it excellently withstood the load requirements on rails and roads.

EBA approval

The approval process for veloSTRAIL for level crossing applications with Deutsche Bahn AG, with permissible route speeds of up to 80 km/h has already been introdu-ced. Approval, for operational testing, was granted by the German Railway Office for installation of this system at a level cros-sing operated by SOB (SdostBayernBahn) at km 75.386 of the Passau-Neumarkt St. Veit (5832) link. Installation was comple-ted at the end of March 2007. Testing is li-mited to 31.03.2008.

Fig. 2: Oblique road and rail junction with an open flange groove, level crossing system Lindau

Stop block ejector area

Fig. 1: EBO sketch, Enclosure 1, section C, Enclosure 1 (Fig. 2: lower section of boundary line)

Fig. 3: veloSTRAIL system with inner panel, filler block and interchangeable part

STRAIL inner panel, 600 mm for gauge width of 1,435 mm (also available for other gauge widths)

Special fi ller blockSTRAIL interchangeable part

Dovetailed connection to the inner panel

Seehafer_en.indd 50Seehafer_en.indd 50 18.07.2007 11:51:27 Uhr18.07.2007 11:51:27 Uhr

51 EI Eisenbahningenieur (58) 6/2007

Summary / Rsum

Bahnbergang mit geschlossener Spurrille

Auf der internationalen Ausstellung Fahrweg-technik iaf des Verbandes Deutscher Eisenbahn-Ingenieure e.V. (VDEI) in Mnster/Westfalen, sowie auf der InnoTrans in Berlin, beide im Jahr 2006, zeigte die Unternehmensgruppe Krai-burg einen neuen Bahnbergangsbelag aus der Produktfamilie STRAIL mit der Bezeichnung veloSTRAIL. Dieser innovative Bahnbergangs-belag hat eine mit einer elastischen Gummilippe geschlossene Spurrille und ist deshalb besonders geeignet fr Bahnbergnge im Zuge von Fu- und Radwegen und bei schiefwinkligen Kreu-zungen von Schiene und Strae.

The use of veloSTRAIL at level crossings operated by the Austrian Railways (BB) and frequented by trains travelling at more than 80 km/h is also currently being tested.

Outlook

The innovative veloSTRAIL level crossing decking is an ideal supplement to the STRAIL system product range, particularly in critical cases where roads and rails meet at skewed angles. Apart from eliminating the risk of accident for cyclists, wheelchair users and pedestrians, the closed flange groove also reduces noise levels in road traffic. The flange groove no longer needs to be kept free of snow and ice in winter and the level crossing can be easily passed by snow ploughs and road-cleaning ser-vices.

Literature

[1] Decree governing railway construction and opera-tion (EBO)

[2] Group guideline 815 DB AG: Planning and main-taining level crossings

[3] Approval for operational testing by the German Federal Railway Office for the installation of the veloSTRAIL system on the level crossing in Eggen-felden

Fig. 4: Spring-deflected flange groove Fig. 5: Installation of a veloSTRAIL interchangeable part using the click system

Fig. 6: Level crossing with veloSTRAIL, testing by the Salzburg local railway authorities

Passage niveau ornire ferme

A lexposition internationale des techniques de la voie (iaf), organise par la VDEI (Association des ingnieurs ferroviaires allemands) Munster (Westphalie), et lInnoTrans Berlin, qui ont eu lieu en 2006, le groupe dentreprises Kraiburg

a montr un nouveau revtement pour passa-ges niveau de la famille de produits STRAIL et dnomm veloSTRAIL. Ce revtement inno-vant possde une ornire ferme par une lvre lastique en caoutchouc. Il est par consquent particulirement adapt aux passages niveau pour les pitons et les cyclistes ainsi quen cas de croisement oblique du rail et de la route.

strae trifft schiene. Wenn es um Sicherheit geht, kennen wir keine Kompromisse. Vom technisch einfachen und sicheren Einbau bis zur alltglichen Dauerbelastung ohne

Spaltenbildung. Wir stimmen unsere Produkte auf Ihre Aufgaben ab. Kein Standard fr alle, sondern

Sicherheit nach Ma. STRAIL. Sicherheit fr Ihre Bahnbergnge, Sicherheit fr Ihre Investitionen.

STRAIL Verkehrssysteme / D-84529 Tittmoning, Obb. / Gllstrae 8 / tel. +49 |8683 | 701-0 / fax -126 / info@strail.de

www.strail.de

BAHNBERGANGSSYSTEME fr hchste Ansprche

STRAIL ist eine Marke der GruppeKRAIBURGK

einfach sicher.einfach sicher.

Seehafer_en.indd 51Seehafer_en.indd 51 18.07.2007 11:51:33 Uhr18.07.2007 11:51:33 Uhr

Titel_06.indd 1 03.07.2007 15:37:34 Uhr

Installation.

veloSTRAIL THE INNER PANEL SYSTEM WITHOUT FLANGE GROOVE

Safe crossing assured especially for cyclists and physically disabled as well as baby buggies Multiple integrated interlock of wearing part with the inner panel Positional stability thanks to several integrated anti-shift elements in all directions Excellent compression of flange groove even at very low temperatures with simultaneous high

bearing force in the direction of the road for safe crossing by individual users Required pressure force from rail vehicle < 250 kg at 20C Train speeds of up to 80 km/h, railway crossings with speeds of > 80 km/h are already undergoing

practical trials Guaranteed product life of interchangeable parts: 1 million axle crossings* or 2 years Compatible with all products from the STRAIL family Available for the most common surface types (high K fastenings must be replaced, e.g. with SKL 18)

* The formation of a groove in the contact area with the wheel flange is normal and does not represent any reason for objection.

STRAIL systems for track surfaces / Gummiwerk KRAIBURG Elastik GmbH D-84529 Tittmoning / Gllstrae 8 / phone. +49|8683|701-0 / fax -126 / info@strail.de / www.strail.de

Installation of veloSTRAIL does not require any great technical effort. Once the position of the level crossing hasbeen specified, the track bed cleaned and the exact sleeper spacing of 60 cm is ensured, the rail is put into the

right height and lateral position. K-fastenings must be replaced by SKL 18 Vossloh fastening. To facilitate installation (start in the centre) and improved pressing of the panels after cleaning, coat the rail foot, filler blocks,

veloSTRAIL panels and interchangeable parts with lubricant.The filler blocks and veloSTRAIL inner panels are then inserted and tensioned longitudinally using the patentedlock tight system. Insert the interchangeable parts at an angle in the inner panels.

Use a rubber hammer for targeted impact along the dovetailed zone (start at the side) to complete full connection

with the inner panel. Then knock the barb on the interchangeable part under the rail head in the zone near the

rails. Knock each of the interchangeable parts sideways against their neighbours to create a gap-free surface.

Install the deflection plate last.

Detailed assembly instructions are included within the scope of delivery or can be downloaded from www.strail.de.

Titelseite_Ru?ckseite_en.qxp:Layout 1 11.07.2007 13:50 Uhr Seite 1