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.