Logistics customization offers light rail contractor more efficiency
As a railway operator, it is important that a project can be executed as efficiently as possible. To have all the right materials available at the right time and in the right place is vital for having a successful project. Together with our partners, we took a closer look at the supply chain of a light rail project in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The aim was to optimize the logistics for the customer, since the working environment isn’t always ideal. Think of limited working time and limited space to maneuver. In order to avoid all of this and cause as little nuisance as possible, we created a flexible working method, which also helped safe costs and CO2 emissions, due to less transport.
Splitting the process results in a simplified logistics plan
Light rail projects are, logistically speaking, often seen as a complex matter. A few examples of this type of challenge are difficult locations in the heart of the city with adjacent residents for whom you want to minimize the construction nuisance, shorter construction period, and conversions and new constructions of a completely new, integrated system. In the Hague, the railway contractor and operator took a closer look with us at how to create a logistics efficiency. Turnout parts and grooved rails were originally partially or entirely delivered, processed, and pre-built by different voestalpine sister companies. This process not only caused a large deal of transport streams, it also put quite some pressure on both the production capacity as well as stock management.
The efficiency enhancement was found in splitting and simplifying the logistics process. A customized logistics plan that is an advantage to both railway operator, contractor as well as the supplier.
Flexibility, cost reduction, and CO2 reduction
Turnout parts and pre-built grooved rail sections were needed for this particular light rail project. Whereas the delivery was previously done in its entirety, the choice was now made to split this process. The turnout parts are still made by our sister company Turnout Technology Gotha (part of Business Unit Tramway) and pre-built delivered in the area of the construction site. Grooved rail (both straight and bent) are now directly transported from voestalpine Rail Technology to the Hague, where these sections can be assembled directly and close to the construction site. As a result, the contractor now has more flexibility in his planning schedule, while the producer gains more space. These sections no longer need to be build and kept in stock on their premises. Both the producer and the contractor profit from this customized logistics plan, since the assembling of these sections now takes place much closer to the final location, providing more flexibility in supply, Factory Acceptance Tests, and any possible last minute operations on these sections by the contractor.
In addition, the pre-assembled sections can now be installed at any desired time and day. Another great advantage is the fact that the contractor no longer needs to manage large stock of assembled sections. A huge savings in costs. There is also a savings in CO2 emissions due to less transport, since products are now directly transported to the construction site. And last, but not least, the Factory Acceptance Test done in the direct environment of the construction site also makes life of the contractor a whole lot easier. He no longer needs to travel to the supplier first, but can now do this quality check while staying on site.
Integrated railway system asks for customization
The construction of a railway infrastructure requires a lot of knowledge on both the system and products. Especially in conversion and new construction projects, it is important to proceed from an integrated system approach. This also applies to the logistics plan. voestalpine Track Solutions Netherlands has years of experience in delivering to large railway related projects and customizing the logistics plan for the totality of the project.
Are you curious of this logistics plan can also make your light rail project more efficient? And would you like to save both costs and CO2 emissions? Feel free to contact our Product Manager Rob van de Grift.