Reporter Rail Edition

President’s Message

Around the world every day, billions of people take some form of rail transportation to travel to their destinations while at the same time goods are shipped across countries’ vast rail networks. Whether its national railroads or city subways and trams, this vital form of transport is depended upon to keep society moving. Through geospatial solutions, such as 3D surveying and asset management, Hexagon supports rail professionals to ensure safe, efficient and modern delivery of passengers and cargo. This edition of Reporter explores their stories.

Safety is the No. 1 concern in the rail industry. Oversized loads, such as wind turbines and transformers, are often best transported by rail. Their cumbersome sizes, though, pose many risks. To safely transport what is known as high-wide loads, the weight and dimensions must be measured precisely. Before HLI Rail & Rigging in the United States implemented a laser measurement and documentation system, the firm’s professionals were required to climb and access hazardous areas to obtain what was often inaccurate dimensions. Today, with Hexagon’s laser technology, the process has been streamlined for consistent and repeatable measurement accuracy.

Bringing more efficient operations to rail increases the productivity of the overall industry. When this happens, congestion on the tracks decreases, people and freight are delivered to their destinations quicker, and breakdowns and other costly delays are prevented. Heading and Associates in Australia is supporting the Metro Trains Melbourne & Laing O’Rourke GWAF project to make commuter traveling to and from the city more efficient. Using Hexagon’s mobile mapping technology, the team delivered a detailed point cloud of the 26-kilometre rail line in just two days instead of two months, which is what would have been required using more traditional methods. The point cloud was then used to provide the latest conditions for accurately placing high-capacity signaling.

Modernising rail infrastructure is becoming a focus for governments worldwide. Many countries’ rail infrastructure is decades out of date, resulting in dangerous and slow rides. In Italy, where some of the oldest rail lines in the world can be found, ETS Engineering has integrated various Hexagon technologies, including mobile mapping and ground penetrating radar, to determine the depth of the Olmata Tunnel’s geometry and its status. The captured data, which was previously unknown, will support the modernisation of the tunnel project by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), owner of Italy's railway network.
The combined solution reduced interruption times on the tracks and enabled the firm to ensure the safe passage of special types of trains.

The rail industry is important not only for our transportation needs but also advancing global societies by providing residents and businesses a means of vital economic exchange. Our focus for rail is providing solutions that increase productivity while decreasing inefficiencies and hazards.

Enjoy your read.

Juergen Dold
President, Hexagon Geosystems

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