SAURAV MITTAL

Director ofSales and New Projects - RAILONE

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, consisting of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, are facing significant changes over the next two decades. These changes are characterized by economic, social and political developments aimed at reducing dependence on oil and creating a sustainable future.

A central element of the planned changes is the diversification of the economy. Many GCC countries have recognized that their economies are heavily dependent on oil exports. To change this, several countries have developed future strategies that promote investment in sectors such as tourism, technology, renewable energy and education. Saudi Arabia in particular is planning massive investments in projects such as NEOM; a futuristic, smart city with sustainable technologies and lifestyles that will serve as a center for innovation and technology.

Another important aspect is the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship. The GCC countries are investing in start-ups and technological developments to create a dynamic business environment. This is supported by the creation of free trade zones and incubators to make it easier for entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality. The promotion of education and skilled labor is also crucial to ensure that the population has the necessary skills to succeed in a diversified economy.

In addition, the GCC states have begun to massively increase their commitment to sustainability and environmental and climate protection in light of the global climate crisis. To this end, environmentally friendly initiatives have already been taken and investments made in renewable energies such as solar and wind power. In general, the region plans to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and promote sustainable practices in agriculture and construction.

Future mobility in the region will be a key element of these changes. The rapid transportation of goods and merchandise as well as people and information is a basic prerequisite for economic networking, i.e. cooperation, the exchange of ideas and trade. The mobility of the future will not only influence the way people move around, but also how they interact with each other, develop economic activities and form cultural identities. Ecological responsibility and awareness of environmental issues have already come to the fore, and with it the desire for sustainable transportation solutions. Rail-based solutions are essential for this, both in long-distance and local passenger transport and in freight transport.

RAILONE has been delivering high-quality solutions for many years to the GCC region. These solutions are based on more than 70 years of experience and engineering excellence gained in projects worldwide. Based on these proven solutions specially modified versions had been tailored for the special conditions and specifications of the region. This, together with local production options, leads to the highest level of localization and the best possible added value in the region by RAILONE.

Specifically, the following solutions have been implemented in the past and have been operated with great success since then:

Heavy haul sleeper for North-South line/Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The AR 06 heavy-haul sleeper was specially developed for the extreme requirements of the North-South Railway Line in Saudi Arabia. The approximately 1,000 km long line is not only for freight but also for passenger trains. Extreme heat, high axle loads and sand drifts on the track are just a few of the special challenges. The design of this product combines the special customer specification with the high requirements of the AREMA Manual and is a durable and robust solution.

JENS KLEEBERG

CSO -  RAILONE

Features: 

• Design according to customer specification in conjunction with AREMA Manual
• Designed for axle loads of up to 32.4 to

Advantages: 

• Compact design: Length 2.50 m 
• Flexibility: Adaptable to different rail fastening systems 
• Elasticity: sleepers can be produced with under sleeper pads 
• Safety: Can be equipped with an anti-derailment system

The AR 06 sleeper specifically has been designed for the specifications of the North-South. Due to the extensive experience of applications in North America, the relevant AREMA standards were used here. High axle loads, poorly maintained vehicles and tracks plus high, consistent tonnage on the line had to be managed for this product.

RHEDA 2000^® High Speed ballastless track system for Haramain Line/Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The construction of the first high-speed line in a desert area began in 2011. It connects Mecca and Medina, the two most important holy cities of Islam. Millions of pilgrims and tourists are now able to cover the 444-kilometre distance in only about two hours. Technically challenging: a quarter of the route is threatened by siltation. The low maintenance requirements and the multiple testing of the RHEDA 2000^® system were therefore decisive for the selection of the system. The opening was end of 2018.

Project details: 

• Temperatures in the desert region fluctuate between extremes of -10°C and +55°C
• The operating speed will in future be up to 320 km/h
• The rest of the line was equipped with ballast sleepers that can be flexibly adapted to the ground
• RAILONE's scope of supply comprised approx. 210,000 RHEDA 2000^® sleepers and approx. 500,000 ballast sleepers, manufactured in the concrete sleeper plant in Ha’il, Saudi Arabia
• In addition, RAILONE supplies sleepers for the high-speed points, which are also built in RHEDA 2000^®ballastless track, and supports the project team on site with additional engineering services relating to special issues regarding the planning, construction, and maintenance of ballastless track systems

RHEDA CITY for new Education City streetcar line / Doha

The Qatar Foundation commissioned the project in order to apply a new light rail system operating without overhead contact lines in the Education City, the university center in Doha, Qatar. Background and goal of the project is to simplify the transit within the Education City campus. The car running on the track bears a capacity of 233 people. For this extravagant project, RAILONE produced, supplied and installed sleepers of the proven RHEDA CITY system from the facility in Saudi Arabia. The ballastless track solution for urban transit was applied on the whole line with the length of 17 km. This system requires almost no maintenance, offers a high level of ride comfort, supports heavy loads and ensures great safety. All sleepers were transported from Ha’il, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Doha, Qatar via truck on a distance of more than 1,000 km. 

• Location: Doha Education City, Qatar
• Solution supplied: RHEDA CITY ballastless track system 
• RAILONE scope of delivery: 16,959 sleepers produced, supplied and installed
• Operational speed of the line: 100 km/h
• Track length: 17 km
• Project Started in October 2013 and ended in April 2015 

RHEDA CITY as a covered track can be designed both with rail sheathing and with rubber granulate chamber filler elements. Due to the lateral stability inherent in the system, this system is also suitable as a design with continuous rail bedding. In principle, track covering is possible with all common road surfaces - asphalt, concrete (also as a precast element) or paving. The system structure is not changed in the variant with road covering. Usually, the roadway slab is concreted to just below the rail base, so that the desired rail recess is possible. In contrast, continuous rail bedding involves concreting down to the rail foot, which is, however, naturally supported softly on the roadway slab by an elastic sheathing.

Due to the system design, the components affected by wear - rail and track covering - are installed in such a way that they can be easily separated from the track slab. This means that these components can be replaced at the end of their service life or after complete wear, while essential parts of the track can remain in place. After about eight to twelve years, rail replacement is often necessary, which can be carried out together with renewal of the pavement. The result is a roadway that is practically as good as new.

Covered tracks can also be realized in conjunction with Vignol rails if suitable rail profiles are used. More common here, however, are systems with grooved rails, which have higher manufacturing tolerances. Due to low heights, in some cases there is not enough space for the track covering, which places very special requirements on the rail fastening. RAILONE has therefore developed the NV-1 system especially for covered tracks with grooved rails.

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