HEAG mobilo and Stadler will test additional vibration dampers in November – measurements planned in Eberstadt, Seeheim and Arheilgen
The vibrations caused by the new TINA trams are to be further reduced. To this end, the manufacturer Stadler and the Darmstadt transport company HEAG mobilo will test a new technical solution in November. For the first time, a vehicle in the Darmstadt tram fleet will be equipped with additional vibration dampers. Test runs will show whether this reduces vibrations along the affected sections of track.
The focus is particularly on stretches of road in Eberstadt, Seeheim, and Arheilgen. Previous studies had documented elevated vibration levels in these areas. The new measurements are scheduled for mid-November.
Additional components are intended to dampen vibrations
The vibration dampers are mounted directly on the tram's bogies. Their function is to dampen certain vibrations that occur when the wheels contact the rails.
This is intended to prevent these vibrations from being transmitted to the same extent to the interaction between the vehicle, tracks and the ground.
Whether and to what extent the vibrations can actually be reduced by the additional components will now be investigated under real operating conditions.
Initial test runs on the Darmstadt tram network will begin as early as the beginning of November. These will serve to further fine-tune the vibration dampers before the actual measurements.
Comparative measurements at known problem areas
The measurement campaign in mid-November will focus on selected locations in Eberstadt, Seeheim and Arheilgen.
Previous investigations have already revealed elevated vibration levels at these locations. This allows the new measurements to be compared with existing findings.
Furthermore, the vehicle equipped with vibration dampers will be compared with other trams. In this way, Stadler and HEAG mobilo want to determine what influence the additional components have on the measured vibrations.
The investigations build on the previous efforts of both companies to reduce vibrations in the Darmstadt tram network.
Positive experiences from Basel
Initial experience with the new technology has already been gained in Switzerland.
“The vibration damper has shown promising results in tests in Basel. Now, together with HEAG mobilo, we want to examine what contribution this technical solution can make to reducing vibrations in Darmstadt,” explains Ansgar Brockmeyer, Deputy Group CEO at Stadler.
HEAG mobilo also has specific expectations regarding the upcoming investigations.
“We expect the technical advancements to the vehicle to lead to a demonstrable reduction in vibrations. We will measure the success of the upcoming tests by this,” says Johannes Gregor, Managing Director of HEAG mobilo.
Results will be presented after the measurements
Whether the positive experiences from Basel can be transferred to the Darmstadt tram network is currently still an open question. The upcoming measurements are therefore intended to provide reliable data on the effectiveness of the vibration dampers.
After the investigations are completed, Stadler and HEAG mobilo plan to jointly evaluate the data obtained and inform the public about the results.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM)
