Monitoring of Railway Track Stability for ProRail
- Project name: Monitoring Track Stability – 3 PHS Corridors
- Location: 11 locations across the Netherlands
- Duration: 5 years
- Client: ProRail
- Project phase: Implementation and monitoring
- Objective: Long-term monitoring of track stability to enable a future increase in the load on the railway infrastructure
Project overview
For ProRail, SOCOTEC Geotechnics is carrying out a large-scale monitoring programme at 11 locations across the Netherlands to monitor railway track stability over a five-year period, as part of the Monitoring Track Stability – 3 PHS Corridors project. The monitoring forms part of the preparations for increasing the load on the railway infrastructure in the future. This could include longer or heavier trains and a higher frequency of train traffic. To make this possible safely, insight is needed into the behaviour of the subsoil and track formation as trains pass.
For this purpose, SOCOTEC Geotechnics has developed and installed a monitoring system that continuously measures pore water pressure in the subsoil at a high sampling frequency. This provides a detailed picture of how the track responds to passing trains.
High-frequency monitoring of the railway track
The monitoring system consists of two dedicated pore water pressure sensors (PWP sensors), which are installed in the first cohesive soil layer beneath the track. These sensors record measurements at a high frequency, making it possible to detect the load generated by individual train axles in the measurement data. This provides valuable insight into how the track formation responds to passing rail traffic. Based on the measured patterns, it is possible, among other things, to identify the type of train passing the measurement location.
In addition to pore water pressure, groundwater levels are also monitored across the cross-section of the track. This provides an integrated view of the conditions within and beneath the railway throughout the entire monitoring period. The system has been designed to perform remote measurements continuously for five years. Each monitoring location is therefore equipped with an independent power supply consisting of solar panels and batteries. The measurement data can subsequently be read remotely and provided to ProRail.
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From installation to five years of monitoring
Most of the work is carried out at night. In approximately 90% of cases, the work takes place during a planned railway possession, when the track is temporarily taken out of service. This allows the required activities to be carried out safely without disrupting regular train traffic.
The accompanying photographs of the installation phase were taken during the day, when the team was able to work alongside a third party. They therefore provide an impression of the installation and system design, but do not represent the standard working method, which generally takes place at night.
Collaboration and parties involved
The project is being carried out by a joint team led by the Geomonitoring department, with Sjors Blomsma and Cees Jan Winkel involved in project coordination. For the drilling activities, the team works closely with drilling specialists from the Geo department. Several subcontractors are also involved, including VSKR and Wetering for the railway works and Inventec for data delivery.
First results
To date, almost 90% of the locations have been completed safely and successfully, without incidents. At the same time, the first measurement data are already available and are being provided to ProRail. The accompanying data example shows measurements from the PWP sensors installed in the track formation as a train passes. Based on these measurement patterns, ProRail can, among other things, determine the type of train.
The added value of SOCOTEC Netherlands
With this project, SOCOTEC Netherlands brings together geotechnical expertise, monitoring and data analysis in one integrated solution. By continuously monitoring the subsoil and track formation over a five-year period, a reliable picture is created of the effects of railway traffic on the track. The combination of high-frequency pore water pressure measurements, groundwater monitoring and remote data processing makes it possible to accurately track changes without requiring continuous work on or alongside the railway. In this way, SOCOTEC Geotechnics supports ProRail in underpinning future decisions regarding railway loading and capacity.
SOCOTEC Netherlands: infrastructure monitoring
Complex infrastructure requires reliable data. With our expertise in geotechnical engineering, monitoring, measurement and data technologies, we help clients gain insight into the behaviour of structures, soil and infrastructure. From one-off measurements to long-term monitoring programmes, SOCOTEC Netherlands develops and implements solutions tailored to the technical and practical challenges of each project.
The added value of SOCOTEC Netherlands
With this project, SOCOTEC Netherlands brings together geotechnical expertise, monitoring and data analysis in one integrated solution. By continuously monitoring the subsoil and track formation over a five-year period, a reliable picture is created of the effects of railway traffic on the track. The combination of high-frequency pore water pressure measurements, groundwater monitoring and remote data processing makes it possible to accurately track changes without requiring continuous work on or alongside the railway. In this way, SOCOTEC Geotechnics supports ProRail in underpinning future decisions regarding railway loading and capacity.
SOCOTEC Netherlands: infrastructure monitoring
Complex infrastructure requires reliable data. With our expertise in geotechnical engineering, monitoring, measurement and data technologies, we help clients gain insight into the behaviour of structures, soil and infrastructure. From one-off measurements to long-term monitoring programmes, SOCOTEC Netherlands develops and implements solutions tailored to the technical and practical challenges of each project.
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