THE REMOVABLE INSULATING RAIL CHAMBER FOR URBAN LIGHT RAIL LINES SPEEDS UP TRACK REPLACEMENT ACTIVITIES, REDUCES TRACK REPLACEMENT COSTS AND AVOIDS DISRUPTION TO RAIL OPERATIONS AND THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT.
Metrotenerife has developed and patented a removable insulating chamber for rails, which eliminates the inconvenience of demolition for the removal and replacement of rails without affecting the track covering. Moreover, the removable insulating chamber for rail drastically reduces the time of execution for the aforementioned activities. Thanks to its neat geometry, it can be installed and removed easily, without having to remove the track covering materials, and it also simplifies the subsequent re-installation of the rail. With this, we can reduce the time, cost and effort involved in rail maintenance and replacement work without losing the benefits and robustness of the system.
The components of this detachable chamber wrap around the rail, both at the bottom and at the sides. In this way, electrical and acoustic insulation requirements are met to prevent the propagation of stray electrical currents and noise emissions into the environment caused by rail traffic.
This innovative solution is compatible with various track surface coverings and rail fastening models. There is no longer a need for the fastener protection cap used with standard chamber solutions. The device is also compatible with road traffic at track crossings, where a steel profile is inserted to protect the interface between the chamber and the covering materials.
This chamber is also environmentally friendly, as it is made from recycled materials, it eliminates the use of protective plastic caps, and its installation produces no demolition waste.
Metrotenerife’s commitment to innovation and technology is one of its hallmarks. This innovation was recognised at the 2021 edition of the Global Light Rail Awards when the Tenerife-based operator was awarded the first prize for ‘Technical Innovation of the Year’ for the removable insulating chamber. The jury highlighted the company’s role as an agent of change in the sector for its initiative in creating new products applied to guided transport. The device was also nominated for ‘Best Environmental and Sustainability Initiative’, ‘Project of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Engineering Achievement’.
Metrotenerife developed this device in 2016 and, following the excellent results recorded on the Tenerife Tramway platform itself, consolidated a strategic alliance with the multinational ArcelorMittal for its national and international commercialisation.
In this respect, ArcelorMittal added the removable insulating rail chamber to its product portfolio. Both companies have been working in a coordinated manner on the development and design of various informative materials offering technical details and infographics explaining the device, which are available on the corporate websites of both entities.
In parallel, Metrotenerife continues to present the removable insulating rail chamber at various national and international meetings of the railway sector. One of its latest interventions was at the LRT Excellence Days in the United Kingdom, an event that aimed to explore the latest innovations in the light rail sector by exchanging the participating companies’ best practices and operational experiences. An excellent opportunity to showcase the efficiency of this new device.