Rubber Floor For Level Crossing, a green revolution on the way

Road photography with rubber flooring for level crossing

We all know the importance of a level crossing when a railway track crosses a road or street. In this type of situation, there is hardware behind it with all the security issues that we have already addressed in other articles on this blog, such as FAIL-SAFE features (any problem in the system, put it in a non-accident situation) and even very low-level failures (SIL3, SIL4).

What few people know are the floors of these level crossings. When a road crosses a rail, asphalt or concrete can be placed, which is done at 99 out of 100 crossings. However, over time, this floor does not support the vibration that exists inside a railroad with a freight train passing by all the time, or even in cities, with urban trains. In a few months, asphalt becomes brittle and destroys itself, just like concrete.

A few years ago, it was developed as a perfect solution, already adopted in developed countries, which are vulcanized rubber floors. They are formed by modules of vulcanized rubber that fit together forming a floor that is often more resistant than asphalt and concrete and does not suffer from the vibration characteristic of a highway.

This type of floor often supports off-road vehicles in mining companies with loads of up to 300 tons, believe it or not. And its duration is set for 10 to 30 years of life, which is extremely high considering its asphalt and concrete competitors.

In underdeveloped countries this type of solution is not used and most of the time asphalt or stones are simply placed to make the crossing works. With vibration this material is quickly dispersed.

A railroad track profile is half a foot or 15 centimeters on average and if there is nothing at the intersection an ordinary car cannot pass a railroad track without damaging its wheels. So, the advantages of this type of flooring are enormous, mainly in terms of loads, durability, vibration resistance, weather conditions such as rain, floods. And yet this type of rubber flooring normally uses a surface with different triangular patterns that greatly increase the resistance to adhesion of both tires and pedestrians, being compared to the same type of adhesion of asphalt and are more efficient in water drainage.

This type of material has been more widespread in recent years and the trend is that all level crossings will have this type of solution in the coming decades, which is even sustainable in the sense that old tires are ground and reused in the manufacture of these floors which in their composition normally use up to 80% recycled rubber ranging from 80 to 50% recycled rubber, the rest is natural rubber and some components that increase the material's hardness and resistance.

Normally, the rubber floor in modules for level crossings is quickly assembled with a team of few operators and a forklift is enough for the whole system to be operational in a few hours. This type of flooring is adaptable to the ground and is placed on the rail sleepers, spreading the load of the truck that is crossing the track, avoiding damage to the rails or movement of the rails during the passage of a heavy-duty vehicle, for example.

This type of solution is highly recommended, easily installable and gigantic durability, especially when heavy vehicles are used. It is also used for crossing pedestrians and bicycles due to its high adherence. In the landscape it is usually suitable because its characteristic color is like the color of asphalt and has a very important environmental aspect in the recycling of rubber used in tires, mainly tires for off-road vehicles, which represents a huge environmental problem for many mining companies. This would be one of the main applications of this type of solution.

Maintenance is also very simple: any of these modules that present a problem can be easily replaced.

The rubber floor is a solution that's here to stay and is set to replace all asphalt and concrete solutions worldwide on thousands of level crossings. The environment appreciates.

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Understanding Railway Tags: Types, Concepts, and TransCore Advancements

April 13, 2025

Tags are essential parts of the railway sector that improve operations, increase safety, and simplify asset management. These little gadgets are essential for regulating signals, automating procedures, and supplying real-time data. This article examines the fundamental ideas of tags, their varieties, and cutting-edge Transcore-powered solutions. The Importance of Tags in Railway Systems Railway tags are small electronic devices used for data storage and transmission that are fastened to trains, signals, or other infrastructure. To manage schedules, keep an eye on train movements, and maximize safety, their main job is to connect with automated systems like Automatic Train Control (ATC). Additionally, tags improve overall efficiency and safety by tracking assets like railcars and providing real-time data for maintenance. Thanks to developments in tag technology, numerous kinds of tags that are appropriate for diverse situations and demands have been created. 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In the railway industry, they are frequently employed for asset identification. Half Frame Tags: Perfect for straightforward tracking and identification in spaces with limited space or when less data is required, half frame tags are smaller in size and have a smaller data store capacity. Full Frame Tags: More substantial, larger, and capable of storing more info. These tags may interact with automated systems to send additional information and are utilized for more complicated applications, such as thorough asset management. For asset tracking, both kinds are necessary, but full-frame tags are more adaptable because of their larger data capacity. 2. Signal Tags Signal tags are essential for contact with the railway's signaling system. When a train passes, they communicate with crossing gates, trackside signals, and other infrastructure to send critical information. Functions of Signal Tags include: Triggering signal changes (e.g., stop, go) Updating train schedules Sending alerts to the control center in case of issues By automating reactions to real-time events, signal tags increase railway operations' safety and effectiveness. They can even affect train speed and routing when combined with Automatic Train Control (ATC) systems, making train movements safer and more effective. 3. Tags for Harsh Environments TransCore is a pioneer in creating cutting-edge tag solutions for the railroad industry. Their solutions are made to function dependably in demanding settings, guaranteeing that railroad operations continue to be secure and effective even in the most severe circumstances. Harsh Environment Balise: A reliable trackside beacon that is incorporated into signaling networks. Balizes interact with trains to initiate particular operations, such as modifying the speed or updating the schedule. To ensure dependable communication in challenging circumstances, these tags are designed to resist high temperatures, intense rain, snow, dust, and vibrations from passing trains. Harsh Environment Tag: Similar to the balise, this tag is utilized for safety-critical applications, asset tracking, and train equipment monitoring. These tags are perfect for industrial regions or places subjected to extreme conditions because they are long-lasting, provide long-range data transmission, and are corrosion-resistant. High-Temperature Tag: Designed to function in hot conditions, such as those found next to power plants or in hot industrial areas. Because these tags can tolerate higher temperatures than regular tags, asset management and safety systems will continue to operate even in extremely hot or cold environments. The Importance of Tags for Railway Operations Tags are crucial to the operation of modern railway systems. Here are a few reasons why they are so important: Automation: By automating tasks like asset management, movement control, and rail signaling, tags help to lower human error and boost operational effectiveness. Safety: By enabling instantaneous communication between trains and trackside systems, tags guarantee that vital safety information is conveyed promptly. This is particularly crucial in places with heavy traffic or difficult circumstances Efficiency: Railway operators can improve overall efficiency by optimizing timetables, maintenance, and resources using real-time data gathered from tags. Furthermore, tags enable predictive maintenance by spotting possible problems before they become serious ones. Asset Management: By keeping railcars, locomotives, and other pieces of equipment well-maintained and reducing downtime, tags aid in asset management. They are essential for raising efficiency and lowering maintenance expenses. The Future of Railway Tags Railway tags, particularly in automated systems, have improved safety, efficiency, and dependability, revolutionizing train administration. Advanced tags from Transcore, such as Signal Tags, Harsh Environment Balises, and High-Temperature Tags, offer strong, long-lasting solutions for contemporary train operations. These technologies will become even more important as the sector develops, enabling safer, more efficient operations under challenging circumstances. Leading the way in innovation, Transcore will influence the development of more automated and dependable rail networks for both passengers and cargo in the future.

The AREMA Standards: Shaping Global Railway Industry Guidelines

April 8, 2025

This article explores the importance of AREMA (American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association) standards in the global railway industry. It explains how these guidelines enhance safety, interoperability, durability, and compliance with legal requirements. The piece also highlights the role of AREMA standards in railway relays, showcasing IntertechRail’s range of high-quality, AREMA-compliant relays that contribute to safer and more efficient railway operations worldwide.