📋 Tender Overview
Adif has received the Leonardo Torres Quevedo National Prize for Innovation in Engineering 2020 awarded by the College of Civil Engineers Canals and Ports and the Caminos Foundation for its project of the variable gauge merchandise axis. This comprehensive solution to overcome the technical barrier posed for freight trains by the coexistence of different track gauges within Spain and with respect to the rest of Europe has been awarded in the Public Administrations category.In presenting the candidacy for the award Adif highlighted that the recognized project which includes the development of a variable gauge axle and a gauge change facility for freight trains is a milestone in the operation and innovation applied to rail transport . In this sense the use of wagons equipped with the system makes it possible to reduce operating costs and investments in rolling stock since it makes it possible to move freight trains on different track gauges without the operators having to bear the costs and expenses. delays posed by current procedures at the limits of networks of different gauge such as the transshipment of goods or the change of axles of rolling stock.In this way the system allows an operation similar to that of passenger trains thus making transport faster and cheaper and more competitive. The objective is to increase the modal share of rail freight transport in Spain much lower than the European average due to the burden of the difference in gauge with Europe along with other factors such as orography.Some of the advantages highlighted in the presentation of the candidacy are the following- Reduces costs and time of passage between networks of different width at the border.- Makes wagons and locomotives rotation 25 more efficient.- Eliminates the effects of uncertainties in the capacity of border facilities.- Increases quality in transport compared to container transshipment and is suitable for refrigerated wagons.- It requires a very low investment in infrastructure only the changers with a reduced installation and maintenance cost.- Strengthens the facilitator role of the infrastructure manager vis-vis the operators.Brief history of the projectThe development of the variable gauge axle system has its origin in the contract awarded by Adif in 2015 to the joint venture formed by Azvi and Tria which includes the manufacture of ten axles of two types - five for 920 mm wheels and five for wheels. diameter 760 mm- as well as the construction and installation of a gauge changer with this technology at Adifs maintenance base in La Gineta Albacete.The variable gauge axle for freight wagons has the authorization of entry into service from the State Railway Safety Agency AESF which allows the MMC3 container-carrier platform wagons and LTF vehicle carrier equipped with the sets of axles. of variable width can circulate in commercial service. The homologation took place after the satisfactory conclusion of the laboratory tests and two phases of on-track tests. The third phase of these tests which consists of carrying out 150000 km of Iberian and standard gauge tracks concluded at the end of last year.Once the approval of the system has been achieved Adif continues taking steps to improve and implement it. Currently the Public Purchase of Innovative Technology of the variable gauge axis is under tender which includes activities of innovation manufacturing supplies and commissioning for an amount of 5990074.75 euros VAT included.This contract which is the result of the aid granted by the Ministry of Science and Innovation under Feder Funds contemplates the development of R D i tasks necessary to improve the current technology of the variable gauge system already certified EAVM 1.0 towards two new versions EAVM 1.1 and EAVM 2.0. Likewise the contract provides for the manufacture supply and testing of the two versions of the new system created on the basis of the improvements developed.The tests will be carried out with wagons for Adifs own use rail train snow plow wagon ballast hoppers rail auscultation platform ... which will constitute the necessary R D i testing framework to evolve the solutions to its commercial version.Innovation at AdifAdif has had a department specialized in innovation since its inception aimed at achieving results. The R D I policy establishes the scope of innovation as a key element of the corporate strategy which constitutes a lever of transformation not only for the entity itself but for the entire sector.Thanks to this strategic approach to innovation Adif boosts the competitiveness of companies linked to the railway sector fosters an environment where diverse technologies coexist and makes the results of innovation available to the market in the form of technological products. Therefore Adif is a full member of the innovative ecosystem.In the period 2005-2020 Adif has completed 105 innovation projects in which a total of 265.5 million euros has been invested. Of this amount Adif has invested 41.5 million euros with its own funds while the remaining 224 million euros have been contributed by the sector.European financing of the Mercave projectThe project MERCAVE - AUTOMATIC VARIABLE WIDTH SYSTEM FOR TRAFFIC OF GOODS BY RAIL file CPI-2019-37-1-MER 04 with a total budget of 10 million euros is co-financed with 64 by the European Development Fund Regional ERDF through an aid granted of 6.4 million euros by the Ministry of Science and Innovation as Intermediate Organism of the Pluriregional OP of Spain 2014-2020. Thematic Objective 1 Promote research technological development and quality innovation.
