Utrecht, the Netherlands – March 27 to 29 will see Utrecht’s Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs hosting the sixth edition of this important European rail technology exhibition. With over 150 participants and estimated 6,000 visitors it will again be a key meeting place for the industry, and shop window for innovative thinking. On Wednesday 28 March at 13.00, the Rail-Tech® Europe 2007 Innovation Award will be presented to the most innovative development or product with significant market potential. Seminar delegates, exhibitors, visitors and the press will be present. A qualified international jury will have judged applications, decided on nominations and selected the winners. All nominated candidates will be presenting their innovations at the Media & Innovation Square.

A summary of award submissions:

Arcadis submits its 3D laser scanner and related TRACIE software for the precise physical measurement and data processing of many different rail parameters. Benefits include reduced manpower needs and traffic hindrance, increased speed and safety of data capture and raised accuracy, especially in describing switch/point geometry.

The company also presents a second submission: remarkable improvements to its ground radar system designed to rapidly and accurately visualise and position subsurface facilities such as cables and pipelines. Measurement can (to date) be at up to 15 kilometers track a night.

The Baumuller Group introduces its traction motor anti-static conversion in which expensive ceramic coated bearings can be replaced with carbon micro fibre earthing ring and adaptations, all offering lower cost and longer life. The modification is also effective in removing static and stopping bearing fluting and frosting.

The company’s second submission concerns in-situ traction motor commutator grinding and motor health check designed to raise speed and effectiveness of train motor replacement, extend service life and prolong motor longevity. All work in reducing out-of-roundness can be undertaken in situ so no motors need to leave home.

BSE Special Products Europe introduces its rail-road trailer with elevating platform designed to raise convenience and cost-effectiveness of inspection and maintenance activities on catenary systems.

Grontmij Maunsell ICS presents its new Rail Stress Test designed to predict and prevent dangerous situations caused by rail stresses in turn caused by such effects as cooling, roller straightening, welding, traffic and climate effects. This fast non-destructive, accurate technique, that measures actual stress, gives extra time to take preventive measures.

Matrox Graphics UK presents its Matrox Extio TM range of remote graphics units to raise control room productivity. The computer’s user interface can be separated from the rest of the computer by up to 250 meters (of optic cable) so allowing critical elements of the computer to be held in a safe secure environment.

Planar Systems introduces the EL320.240FA3 PLANAR multicolour thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) display that offers a reliable and rugged display with very fast response times (<1ms) and is ideal for circumstances where important information must be highlighted under extreme conditions. Prorail presents its Railpedia or railroad encyclopaedia (similar but not identical to Wikipaedia) designed to provide rail sector professionals with all possibly required information on the Dutch rail system. Its objectives include securing existing and new knowledge, stimulating networks of experts and encouraging knowledge sharing. Seher submits its Sicon screw connectors designed to be the first cable connection system with stepless shear bolts thus ensuring optimum thread loading for any range of cross sections. Strukton Railinfra presents its manual/automatic camera inspection facility for 24/7 high resolution monitoring of rail infrastructure and data storage for later specialist inspection. The system favours accurate interpretation, improved reliability and safety, and reduced traffic disturbance. System rollout from an Amsterdam pilot across the Dutch network is expected. The Technical University of Delft and ProRail present a force-based assessment of rail weld geometry designed to raise rail life and minimise lifecycle costs. The weld quality index QI is the ratio of the maximum gradient of the weld geometry measured by a digital straightedge and a speed dependent norm that defines welds requiring grinding. The system has already been applied widely in the Netherlands including the long rails on HSL-South. Tracksure submits its patented three component Tracksure nut locking device to eliminate nut loosening, reduce labour intensive track maintenance activities and raise rail track safety. The locking nut automatically tightens against the original nut if this starts to loosen even microscopically. Robel Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH presents its 16.01 rail milling machine. The 16.01 rail milling machine, which was developed in co-operation with DB Netz AG, opens up completely new dimensions for high-quality repair of large sections of points and crossings and the machining of specific rail defects. Repair is quicker and more cost-efficient and the service life of valuable track components is extended considerably. It is estimated that this year’s Rail-Tech innovation award submissions collectively represent billions of euros in long-term benefits to the industry and its consuming public. Enough for show organizers, participants and their potential clients all to look forward to the 28 March award ceremony.