voestalpine Railway Systems is proud to be part of the European research project FP3-IAM4Rail as part of the Europe's Rail (EU Rail) initiative. The project is dedicated to developing a new generation of intelligent solutions for integrated asset management in the railway sector. The aim is to use modern technologies to monitor infrastructure and vehicles more efficiently, extend the service life of turnouts and, at the same time, increase safety and availability in the rail network.

In railway signaling, demands for safety, availability, and strong data collection are growing. Today, train detection systems must not only operate reliably, but also be flexible, low-maintenance, and resistant to environmental conditions. One solution that meets these requirements is the axle counting duo consisting of the AXM module and the UniAS wheel sensor. Together, they form the operational heart of the UniAC[2] axle counting system from voestalpine Railway Systems.

Axle counting systems have long been established as a reliable alternative to traditional track circuits. They avoid typical vulnerabilities such as ballast contamination, rust, weather-disruption, and component aging. With UniAC[2] from voestalpine Railway Systems, this proven principle is further refined: by combining it with a plug-and-play solution, a high-performance detection system is created that not only significantly cuts installation time and configuration risk but also enhances maintenance. 

Axle counting is considered as one of the most advanced methods for monitoring track sections and detecting trains. Unlike traditional track circuits, which rely on the electrical conductivity of the rails, axle counting systems use wheel sensors mounted on the track. These sensors detect the axles of passing trains and track entries and exits to determine whether the track is occupied or clear. 

voestalpine Signaling Austria GmbH and voestalpine Signaling Sainerholz GmbH, both subsidiaries of voestalpine Railway Systems GmbH, have been successfully certified to the international industry standard IRIS Certification®. This confirms that the quality management system meets the internationally recognised requirements of the railway industry. 

Increased traffic, higher utilization rates, and the demand for 24/7 availability are putting pressure on operators worldwide. At the same time, expectations regarding efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness are rising. How can this balancing act be managed? Diagnostic and monitoring systems are creating a new foundation for operations. They enable continuous condition monitoring of infrastructure and provide up-to-date, data-driven information for maintenance and planning.

With the zentrak MODULAR DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (MDS), voestalpine Railway Systems introduces a modular diagnostic system that monitors rolling stock using a variety of sensor types. Depending on the application, infrared, fiber-optic, acoustic, and/or optical sensors are used. This allows, for example, overheated axle bearing housings or overloading to be detected.

In rail transport, enormous amounts of data are generated daily by sensors along the tracks that collect information about trains as they pass by or travel through. When used correctly, this data provides valuable insights into the condition of rolling stock and enables the early detection of hazardous situations. Prompt intervention can minimize damage, even prevent it entirely, and maximize the availability of both the infrastructure and the rolling stock. The rolling stock monitoring software, zentrak CENTRAL MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE (CMS) from voestalpine Railway Systems, centrally aggregates this information and makes it usable for operators.

Compared to road transport, rail transport is considered safer and more eco-friendly. However, with the increasing shift to e-mobility, a new challenge is emerging: Securing and further expanding the ecological advantage of rail transport in the long term. What role do life cycle thinking and circular economy play in this? Christian Aichberger, sustainability expert at voestalpine Railway Systems, provides insights into how these issues are viewed holistically and translated into concrete solutions. 

In the future, even more people and goods are expected to be transported by rail. As a result, the rail network is increasingly reaching its limits. How can rail remain an attractive part of the transport chain in the future? Sandra Baltic, Product Manager at voestalpine Railway Systems, talks about the role of digitalization in increasing availability, safety, and predictive maintenance. 

Concrete sleepers in track construction are a product that stands for continuity rather than innovation. But there is a lot going on in this area. In this interview, Wolfgang Hölzl - Engineering, Design & R&D Sleeper at voestalpine Railway Systems - tells us why sleepers are more than just a simple piece of concrete and what the sleeper of the future looks like at voestalpine Railway Systems. 

They are barely visible, yet so crucial for safety and efficiency on the track: fastening systems play a central role in load transfer and elasticity control. In this interview, Thomas Mayer, Vice President – R&D and Engineering Fastening Systems, provides insights into the complex world of fastening systems and shows why the interaction of components determines performance and service life.

From training at the company’s own academy through planning, surveying and alignment planning to production, logistics and installation support, voestalpine Railway Systems provides end‑to‑end system solutions across the entire value chain. Supported by professional on‑track service teams and comprehensive digital monitoring throughout the full lifecycle, these solutions maximize track availability, reduce lifecycle costs, and ensure long‑term rail infrastructure performance based on the principles of the circular economy.

Rails are designed for extreme loads and a long service life. They can remain in service for up to 50 years on secondary lines and for up to 35 years on main lines. However, increasing traffic loads, higher availability requirements, and ambitious sustainability goals are changing the framework conditions. Sören Röhrig, Product Manager at voestalpine Railway Systems, talks about technological developments, and the path to green rail. 

The railway sector faces increasing demands: higher availability, more efficient maintenance, transparent data and close collaboration between operators and component suppliers. This is exactly where digital asset delivery from voestalpine Railway Systems comes into play. The zentrak CUSTOMER PORTAL adds a digital layer to the traditional physical delivery process. Assets are delivered not only physically but also digitally, enabling seamless lifecycle tracking.

The number of trains is constantly increasing — a trend that is set to continue. The question is: How can I create a highly available and robust overall system that does not require constant intervention? How does voestalpine Railway Systems use its track systems to not only keep up with growing demands but also stay one step ahead. Lukas Prettner, Head of Research and Development Track Systems, provides a comprehensive overview. 

Rail transport places the highest demands on safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. How do we meet these requirements? In our current interview series, six system experts from voestalpine Railway Systems provide insights into the various components of modern track systems — from rails, fastening systems, and sleepers to digital solutions and life cycle assessment. 

voestalpine Railway Systems underscores its position as a global leader for railway infrastructure system solutions with orders totaling EUR 500 million from the German (Deutsche Bahn, DB) and Swiss (Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, SBB) national railways, for rails, turnouts, and signaling technology. The spectrum of services includes the supply of rail and turnout systems, as well as signaling technology and monitoring applications.

Every year, an average of 500 turnouts need to be replaced in Austria—and currently up to 1,500 on the German market. The conventional method often involves transporting the individual turnout components to the assembly site, where they are then put together. However, this often takes place under difficult conditions. In order to guarantee longer usability of the tracks and enable shorter turnout closures, voestalpine Railway Systems has completely switched to pre-assembled turnouts.

Increasing traffic on Europe's rail networks is posing major challenges for rail operators: high utilization, limited construction time windows, and the need to maintain rail operations with as few restrictions as possible. This is exactly where voestalpine Railway Systems' turnout logistics come into play.