Rail Analysis India : Please tell us more about the Strukton’s footprint in global railway market? What is the position of Strukton in global rail industry ?
Mr. Martien Janse : Our roots lie in the Netherlands, a country with the busiest rail network in Europe. The Dutch rail network is so busy and intensely used that it actually resembles a metro system the size of an entire European country due to its sheer number of trains and density of track.
The rail system situation in the Netherlands:
- 7,000 km mainlines
- 7,071 points
- Over 1 million passengers a day
- 3.3 million train movements a year
- 17.5 billion passenger kilometres a year
- 820 km tram and metro lines
- 500 km industrial lines
Railway maintenance in the Netherlands has been liberalized, with performance driven contracts. As the market leader in the Netherlands when it comes to railway maintenance, we have had to deal with ever stringent contractual requirements to guarantee better track performance and safer working conditions in increasingly less time and continued to make money out of the contract. We have been on top
of this game since 2008. This daily reality is the cradle for many of our proven, tested and implemented innovations.
In the Netherlands, we currently maintain:
2.800 km heavy rail, 60 km light rail, 2.500 km catenary, 2.000 points, 732 overhead crossings, 671 bridges.
With the experience and knowledge built up in the Netherlands we have been able to maintain and improve the railway infrastructure in the liberalised Swedish market as a European company. We are the no 1 private railway company in Sweden.
Some data about our maintenance contracts in Sweden:
2,259 km heavy rail, 65 km light rail, 110 km metro rail, 2,819 points, 871 bridges
Our home countries are Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. We are also established in Australia, China, India and the United States and have projects all over the world.
Rail Analysis India : What kind of rail products are you manufacturing and providing globally? Are you providing any solutions for High Speed Rail projects?
Mr. Martien Janse : We offer various proven solutions for both main lines, light rail and high-speed lines, including:
Smart maintenance services – on the one hand to prevent failures; on the other hand to prioritise maintenance and renewal operations
Optimise possession times by eliminating maintenance activities (e.g. 50 registered tamping actions at one specific location) or efficient use (bundling activities)
POSS monitoring – Capturing data about possible failures, prevent failures by analysing the data and predict maintenance using algorithms
Measurement and inspection systems – Capturing data about possible failures, prevent failures by analysing the data and predict maintenance using algorithms
ZKL 3000 RC – Shortening possession times and increase safety for employees
systems. With our high-output equipment we are able to renew rails, sleepers and ballast in one go; we have experience in Italy with 200 renewal days a year; 2 km per day; using our renewal trains, chain ballast cleaners and tamping machines)
Construction of new lines: We for instance constructed Denmark’s first high-speed line in 2017, with an international team, led by our experienced Italian colleagues
Installation and maintenance of ERTMS and CBTC safety systems
Mr. Martien Janse :Rolling Stock: We are:
- An Independent Dutch supplier of modern IGBT based traction & auxiliary power systems, cabling, cabinets and systems integration (including ERTMS and CBTC safety systems)
- For all types of rolling stock, new & refurbished
- Special focus to solve spare part obsolescence, by supplying Form-Fit-Function replacement
- Capable of powering DC motors
- Part of 14.000 strong Centric-Antea-Strukton group
Rail Analysis India : What is the best method of implementing any rail track project? What are the safety measures to be considered while implementing any track project?
Mr. Martien Janse : There is not one single method for implementation. We have a strong engineering and assetmanagement organization to prepare the implementation of a rail track project based on the specific circumstances and proven technologies.
Rail Analysis India : As we know that you are operating in railway projects all over the world, so what is scope of work you can see in India ?
Mr. Martien Janse : In India we will mainly be active in 1) the design and delivery of power electronics (traction and auxiliary systems) for rolling stock, and 2) Smart maintenance services for urban transport, main lines and heavy haul, including data capturing (monitoring, inspection, censoring), data analysis & interpretation, planning maintenance activities and feedback. The aim is to improve the safety, availability, efficiency and sustainability of the rail system.
Present activities: 6000 Hp Loco
Scope
- 115 complete electrical sets: traction, auxiliary, TCMS
- Traction: 6000 HP / 4.5 MW, 2 sets water cooled, Auxiliary 130 KVA
- First delivery Jan’10, series by Strukton until 2013
- 0ver 400 loco’s in operation with Strukton’s systems
Activities
- Development, production, technology transfer
- Installation (first systems) & commissioning
Air-conditioned AC EMU
Scope
- 225 complete electrical sets: traction, auxiliary, TCMS
- 2 forced air cooled traction units, auxiliary 100 KVA
- Proof of concept January 2014.
- Commissioning in 2016 – 2017
- Series deliveries starting 2018
Activities
- Development, production, technology transfer
- Installation (first systems) & commissioning
First air-conditioned passenger trains in India
- The new passenger trains are designed for a maximum speed of 110 km/h.
- EMUs for Mumbai suburban services are wider than other Indian Railways coaches, at 3 660 mm.
- The full AC air-suspension coaches will carry over 6,000 commuters (1028 seated and 5 964 standing passengers) per rake. Just like the Metro trains, these coaches will also have automatic door opening-closing system.
- Strukton delivered the power electronic systems for 225 AC-EMU (25 kV AC Electrical Multiple Units) trains for the Indian Railways.
- The project consists of the design of the traction systems, auxiliary power supply units and train control management systems.
- Also transfer of technical knowledge is an important part of the contract.
“The automatic doors will keep us safe and the AC makes it comfortable too. The emergency communicator, a safety feature in which passengers can directly communicate with the guard of the train, is impressive,” a passenger said.
Rail Analysis India : Is Strukton planning to enter in railway market of India , possibly , by forming Joint Venture (JV) with any Indian rail sector company ?
Mr. Martien Janse : We have been active in the Indian market for decades now. Until now with some local staff and partnerships but we are now also considering a Joint venture with a party active in the rail industry.
Rail Analysis India : What are your views on development of metro trains, freight corridors and High Speed Rail projects world wide? What is the impact of these projects on any Country’s economy ?
We see the market for Metro trains, street cars, monorail, freight corridors and high speed rail projects growing fast due to increasing urbanisation. At the beginning of the 19th century, urban world population amounted to 2%. This grew into 10% at the beginning of the 20th century and grew further to no less than 50% at the beginning of 21th century. Now, in 2017, 54.5% of the global population is living in the city. Looking forward to 2030 we expect 60% of global population to live in the city.
In 2016, there were 512 cities with at least 1 million inhabitants globally. By 2030, a projected 662 cities will have at least 1 million residents.
In 2016, 1.7 billion people—23 per cent of the world’s population— lived in a city with at least 1 million inhabitants. By 2030, a projected 27 per cent of people worldwide will be concentrated in cities with at least 1 million inhabitants.
Between 2016 and 2030, the population in all city size classes is projected to increase, while the rural population is projected to decline slightly. While rural areas were home to more than 45 per cent of the world’s population in 2016, that proportion is expected to fall to 40 per cent by 2030.
The worldwide urbanisation leads to a variety of problems, including unemployment, inequality, supply shortages, environmental damage and decreased accessibility. From our customer issues, we recognize that (municipal) authorities and politicians are struggling with these problems.
Mobility is the problem of the 21st century. No economic growth without mobility. But mobility needs to be sustainable at the same time. The solution: Public transport as the modality for urban mobility.
Rail transport is the most efficient and sustainable way to keep cities moving. Adding new lines or extending/ upgrading existing networks will improve accessibility and sustainability enabling economic growth with a positive impact on environment and the production of greenhouse gases.
