Ballastless track system RHEDA CITY: reliable, invisible, and simply flawless

A prime advantage of this track system is that you can't see it. The RHEDA CITY ballastless track system requires almost no maintenance, offers perfect ride comfort, supports heavy loads, and ensures great safety. RHEDA CITY functions according to the same principle of all systems from the RHEDA family. The RHEDA CITY system was, however, designed especially for mass rapid transit, and is especially effective in applications for trams systems and surface commuter train lines. RHEDA CITY is characterized by simple construction technology: modified bi-block sleepers with lattice trusses facilitate installation and guarantee precise track gauge at the same time. RHEDA CITY provides additional advantages by the monolithic structure of its track supporting layer, and by its low installed structural height. But construction benefits do not stop with RHEDA CITY with normal track alone: it is also possible to integrate turnouts into the same technology.

RHEDA CITY can be covered with asphalt, concrete, or paving blocks, as desired. And for those who prefer to travel over green paths RHEDA CITY GREEN is the attractive alternative.

The benefits of RHEDA CITY:

• Simple, transparent system structure
• Flawless track positioning
• Compatibility with street construction
• Great precision of gauge and track geometry from the cross sleeper
• Friction-locked anchorage of the track span
• Elimination of underpouring of the track frame with its uncontrolled introduction of heat into the track span
• Monolithic construction as a result of optimized track system design with superior bonding quality
• Defined elasticity of the track, by employment of pre-assembled components
• Elastic or continuous support of the rails is possible
• Elimination of gauge tie bars
• Great levels of safety and long service life
• Conformity with requirements for electrical isolation
• Capability of "building and riding" procedures

RAILONE has developed a special fibre concrete together with the Rosenberg Engineering Company. It is a reinforced concrete in accordance with European and German standards and has equivalent or superior characteristics compared to the requirements for railway track of the RHEDA CITY system. The main focus of the development is to ensure compatibility between the signal system and the track system. In addition, the costs for the reinforcement, its installation and the material outlay should be kept as low as possible.

In October of 2010, a track on a bridge in the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG, Berlin Transport Company) tram network was built for the first time with the RHEDA CITY system using the newly developed plastic fibre concrete. After more than two years of normal operation under sometimes extreme weather conditions (as low as -20 degrees Celsius over a long period), the plastic fibre concrete has no detectable damage. In addition, as the first transport enterprise in Germany, the Verkehrsbetriebe Karlsruhe (VBK, Karlsruhe Transport Company) has implemented use of the plastic fibre concrete in its own route network as the standard construction method. As with every construction project, it is important to minimize costs for newly constructed lines and at the same time keep quality at the same level or even increase it.

The advantages of plastic fibre concrete compared to a system with steel reinforcement:

• Complete signal compatibility of the non-ballasted track system
• No need for earthing measures with a DC power supply
• Reduction of track installation times
• Reduction of transport costs (elimination of reinforced steel transport)
• Protection of the environment due to reduced transport on roads
• Conservation of steel resources