Virtual wall – CDG Express – Eiffage Fondations & NGE GC

Find below the SNCF Réseau report presenting the project and its results.

Application context

Context of work in the immediate vicinity of railways operated requiring compliance with the application guidelines of IG 900033 relating to the use of construction machinery and equipment near the tracks (art. 4.4.1):

 

Penetration of construction machinery and equipment prohibited within the “prohibited zone” (vertical plane located 3 meters from the axis of the tracks or live electrical installations).

 

(in the absence of implementation of a physical protection screen) Penetration prohibited for all movements of loads and all handling within the “protection zone” (vertical plane located 5 meters from the axis of the lanes – distance which can be increased to take into account the load sway).

 

In order to secure the movement of construction machinery and equipment and all lifting or handling operations near operated railway lines, when in particular no physical protection screen is put in place, the control of the movement of machinery and handling to an alert (visual and/or audible) of “virtual” penetration of either “prohibited” or “protection” zones must be able to contribute to the security of infrastructure and railway operations.

Implementation of sensors (magnetic box) on construction equipment allowing real-time geolocation of their movements and any penetration into a predefined “virtual” perimeter (“protection zone”, “prohibited zone” or other perimeter to be calibrated ).

The geolocation data can be consulted directly by any worker on the site via a platform accessible by internet connection.

Any penetration inside the predefined prohibited perimeter generates visual and audible warning signals.

The inaccuracy of the geolocation system is of the order of 10 cm.

The application of this geolocation system is inspired by that implemented on construction sites subject to co-activity between machines (mobile cranes / tower cranes / concrete pumps, nacelles, excavators, etc.).

A descriptive sheet for use of the CAD.42 system (Tower crane and mobile lifting machinery anti-collision) is provided in Appendix 1 of this Explanatory Note.

This system has the advantage of rapid implementation and relatively low cost.

Also of note, the application of the system (CAD.42 supplier) in 2020 as part of the SNCF RESEAU project – AIR Program (Learning to Innovate in Network) – Device project alerting a needle lubricator that he is approaching the limit of its protected area. A project presentation note is provided in Annex 2 of this Explanatory Note.

Within the scope of application of the worksite on an operated railway site, the implementation of the "virtual barrier" system has concretely enabled:

  • to secure the evolution of construction machinery and equipment and all lifting or handling operations near the railway tracks in circulation,
  • to monitor any movement of construction machinery and equipment (lifting, handling, etc.) and to trace any alerts of entrance into the prohibited perimeter(s),
  • to increase the awareness of the site stakeholders on the permanence of the railway risks associated with the works.

Illustrations

RTK.42 sensor installed on the boom head of the mobile crane.

Tablet visualization interface

Battery-operated gyro-siren to alert pedestrians near the vehicle.

How do you measure the results of your success?

Is there a quantifiable measurement tool, proof of the quality of the success involved?

If yes, say more

The successful implementation of the "virtual barrier" system for the works over the period from July to August 2021 for the execution of the construction works of the Covered Trench (diaphragm wall works) resulted in a net result " zero incident” over a very intense period of work on a railway site operated at high risk for the safety of railway operation.

In your opinion, is your success declinable and transposable?

If yes, say why

This success is declinable and applicable to all work interventions near circulating railway tracks, requiring the use of machinery and equipment for which their movement or handling maneuver can generate a risk with respect to the safety of rail traffic. and/or the integrity of railway infrastructures.

RTK.42 receives the ITIF 2021 Special Jury Prize for this project.

This award recognizes the implementation of our virtual wall system on the Charles de Gaulle Express construction site with NGE GC and Eiffage Fondations.