Velostrail tram line insert..Approved for UK?

[brianthegiant]

Does anyone on here know anything about Velostrail tram line inserts?

www.strail.de/index.php?id=197&L=1

veloSTRAIL

veloSTRAIL is a new and innovative inner panel system that eliminates the flange grooves.

An easily replaceable flangeway element closes the flange groove. Any rolling stock, will easily press the replaceable flangeway element down but accomodates enough resistance for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, baby carriages and inline skaters. As an added benefit ice formation in the flange groove is no longer possible.

Smooth transition from one product to another together with an integrated locking and a bolting under the rail head makes driving over the crossing very comfortable.

Compact panel units allow simple and cost-effective track maintenance due to short installation and removal. Replacement of the replaceable flangeway element is without removal of the inner panel and requires no machinery and only minimal labour during very short, partial closing periods.

has it been tried anywhere in the UK?
would it be approved in the UK or require some form of type testing?
(wasn't sure whether to put this here or the metro thread, but I figure this is where the engineers are to be found

I'm asking in the context of Nottingham Net Phase 2 where there is an issue with Chilwell High Road being a popular cycle route for there is no alternative parallel route available. Our experience is that most cyclists avoid streets with tram tracks due to the risks of getting wheels stuck and coming off.

Sadly the Net consortium aren't being proactive, including following up on the Velostrail concept, so I'm just wondering if there is a technical basis for their reservations.

 

[Nonsense]

Looks interesting. Is it really required though?

I don't live in a town with trams, but I remember attending a conference in the 1990's on south yorkshire supertram (as it was called then) and the speaker recalled how on a visit to the netherlands, the Sheffield team asked how they dealt with the problem of cyclists getting stuck in the track, and they replied simply that it just doesn't happen.

It does look nicer though.

 

[D365]

How intriguing... Will certainly prove useful if approved.

 

[eastdyke]

In my experience as a cyclist you only ever get stuck/thrown off once.

 

[dggar]

Does anyone on here know anything about Velostrail tram line inserts?

www.strail.de/index.php?id=197&L=1


has it been tried anywhere in the UK?
would it be approved in the UK or require some form of type testing?
(wasn't sure whether to put this here or the metro thread, but I figure this is where the engineers are to be found

I'm asking in the context of Nottingham Net Phase 2 where there is an issue with Chilwell High Road being a popular cycle route for there is no alternative parallel route available. Our experience is that most cyclists avoid streets with tram tracks due to the risks of getting wheels stuck and coming off.

Sadly the Net consortium aren't being proactive, including following up on the Velostrail concept, so I'm just wondering if there is a technical basis for their reservations.

This may have been pre-dated in the film Genevieve

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgiv_I2TkNc

Look at the section from 0.09sec to 0.13sec

In my experience as a cyclist you only ever get stuck/thrown off once.

see section from 7.25sec

 

[brianthegiant]

Looks interesting. Is it really required though?

I don't live in a town with trams, but I remember attending a conference in the 1990's on south yorkshire supertram (as it was called then) and the speaker recalled how on a visit to the netherlands, the Sheffield team asked how they dealt with the problem of cyclists getting stuck in the track, and they replied simply that it just doesn't happen.

It does look nicer though.

I can assure you it does happen and is a cause of cycle accidents that wouldn't exist without the tram.
I'm very much pro tram but these issues need serious consideration.

My recollection of living in Sheffield during tram construction, was that Supertram made noises about installing rubber inserts in the tracks (thereby acknowledging the problem), but never actually took any action.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

they have rubber inserts in the track at Locomotion Shildon... Sounds like this stuff is similar but perhaps designed for higher speeds

 

[dosxuk]

My recollection of living in Sheffield during tram construction, was that Supertram made noises about installing rubber inserts in the tracks (thereby acknowledging the problem), but never actually took any action.

Is this not referring to the rubber surround to the tracks to reduce the transmission of vibration?

 

[Jonny]

Coming back to the flange-filler, is it the sort of thing that could potentially be used on mainline level crossings? It is one of the longer-term recommendations subject to a suitable product becoming available, in this: http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/101007_R182010_Victory.pdf (points 82 and 83)

 

[jopsuk]

Jonny- if you look at the website it would appear to suggest yes, but I'd guess there may be speed restrictions on its use?

 

[brianthegiant]

Is this not referring to the rubber surround to the tracks to reduce the transmission of vibration?

I dont think so, surely it goes without saying that modern on-street tram tracks would be a more or less continuous surface at the interface with the concrete / tarmac (albeit with slight indentation for the vibration expansion joint filled with sealant. The rubber inserts I referred to were I think in the context of the larger flange groove in the rail.

 

[jopsuk]

The company's products are already used in this country, cycling over a crossing tonight I looked down to see the "Strail" logo.