How are trains managed? They require a stricter management system than cars because it carries several people at once; in addition, we need to consider sustainability in the future.
- Can train maintenance be sustainable?
What are the similarities and differences between cars and trains? Unlike cars that run on roads, trains run on railroad tracks. Plus, trains are huge enough to run with hundreds of people and loads. However, the two are basically similar vehicles in that they use a power source to spin the wheels. Trains, like cars, require regular inspection.
A railroad is a road for trains, and trains are basically a means of transportation similar to a car
In fact, trains require more maintenance than cars. This is because a lot of people and supplies need to be checked more closely at once. Especially for trains, punctuality is very important. This is because, for example, if a train cannot move due to a breakdown during operation, all trains using the same track may be delayed.
How does train maintenance work?
Railway vehicles such as trains and trains are stocked at the depot according to a fixed maintenance plan. The maintenance of railroad vehicles can be broadly divided into light maintenance and medium maintenance according to the implementation cycle and maintenance scope. Light maintenance refers to all kinds of inspections before and after the train operation. In Korea, it is conducted every 3 to 7 days to check whether the vehicle is abnormal or not and replace the necessary consumables.
Similar to automobiles, railroad cars require the replacement of air conditioner filters, air compressor filters, wipers, and other consumables such as various oils and lubricants at regular intervals. Railway vehicles use 20,000 to 30,000 parts, and each part has a lifespan and inspection cycle, which is managed through the MMIS (Maintenance Management Information System).
The maintenance of trains is in progress using IoT devices. MMIS helps trains to replace all parts on time and run safely
Trains made up of more than 20,000 to 30,000 parts run for 25 to 35 years through regular inspection and heavy maintenance
Heavy maintenance is similar to disassembling the entire car and then reassembling it. Trains generally go into heavy maintenance every 3 to 4 years, when they have driven about 400,000 to 500,000 km. During heavy maintenance, major systems and parts are separated and maintained. After precisely diagnosing the removed parts, the necessary parts are replaced. Since safety is of the utmost importance in trains, only trains that have completed a test drive and have proven both their performance and safety are allowed to operate.
Can train maintenance be sustainable?
The trains have a lifespan of about 30 years, and mechanics maintain them until the end of their lifespan to ensure safety. The most used maintenance method today is preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance is a method of replacing parts at regular intervals. By replacing parts in advance before they are damaged, it minimizes the possibility of failure, and it fits well with the characteristics of railway maintenance, where safety and punctuality are important.
But train maintenance must also be sustainable, which requires change. This is because the preventive maintenance method has a limitation of replacing parts that can still be used. What if you could check the condition and lifespan of their parts in real‒time so they can be used longer? If, for example, the life expectancy of a part could be increased by 70% to 90%, it would be possible to significantly reduce the resources required to produce new parts, as well as minimize the environmental pollution caused by discarding parts.
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