📋 Tender Overview
Banedanmark has reduced the time spent on the complex replacement of switches by almost 70 percent. This means shorter track closures while we work, and thus less impact on train traffic.
It is not often possible to optimise the time spent on complex track works of this magnitude. But Banedanmark has managed to cut the time we spend on replacing switches down to a third. From approx. 100 hours to approx. 32 hours per switch. It is the result of a recently completed improvement project.
"The purpose has been to achieve a much smaller punctuality impact from the critical work of laying and replacing switches. We have done this by organising our work more wisely, so we have reduced the total time spent. This results in shorter track closures and thus less impact on train traffic," says Kristian Fevejle Andersen, Project Director at Banedanmark.
A switch is the track element that allows trains to change from one track to another, allowing them to change direction or pass each other. Laying a switch is complex because it requires precision to connect two tracks together and because it also places high demands on security. In total, there are more than 3,700 switches in Banedanmark's track network.
European inspiration and best practice
Specifically, we have succeeded in reducing the time consumption by 70 percent by turning a number of different buttons in the switch work – including adjustment of requirements for logistics, equipment, production time, parallel work and better task management during the actual execution.
Among other things, the project has received help from experts from Denmark and Germany, who have advised on optimization opportunities, and inspiration has been drawn from Austria and England, who have experience in the field.
"Based on this, we have first optimized the new concept theoretically, and then we have tested it in reality, where we have collected data that we have subsequently analyzed. The concept has thus evolved throughout the process, and it stands on the shoulders of best practice both internally in Banedanmark and in other European countries," says Kristian Fevejle Andersen.
The next step will be four follow-up pilot projects in Høje Taastrup, which will further test the new concept for replacing switches.
"The goal is that our newly developed method will result in a completely new framework agreement that paves the way for a long-term cooperation agreement with a supplier. Such a huge tender could also be of international interest," says Kristian Fevejle Andersen.
