ENSCO awarded WMATA contract for track geometry vehicle

Written by jrood

ENSCO, Inc. announced that it has received an initial $7.8-million contract for a self-propelled Track Geometry Vehicle. The contract was awarded by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA or Metro). The TGV will be a diesel powered rail vehicle specifically designed to inspect WMATA tracks in order to ensure track safety on the complete WMATA system. Delivery of the vehicle is scheduled for March 2012. ENSCO has teamed with Plasser American for this effort, which will supply the base vehicle.

The completed WMATA TGV
will inspect for track geometry deviations. Future contract options may include
inspection of internal steel rail flaws, rail wear and third rail and platform
alignment. The vehicle will also be capable of video logging the WMATA system,
inspecting for electrical hot spots and monitoring aspects of the train control
system. The TGV will be one of the most advanced track inspection vehicles in
the world, using advanced laser, optical and inertial sensors. All track data
will be analyzed in real time by onboard computers, providing WMATA personnel
with instantaneous reports on the condition of the rail system.

"Efficient and effective
track measurement remains one of our top priorities. We’re delighted with this
opportunity to significantly contribute to Metro’s enhanced safety performance
efforts," said Boris Nejikovsky, ENSCO’s vice president, Applied Technology and
Engineering Division.

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