Getzner Werkstoffe nominated for National Innovation Award 2014

Accolade for sound and vibration protection for light railways and trams

02.04.14

Vienna/Buers. On 26th March Getzner Werkstoffe was nominated for the National Innovation Award 2014 in Vienna. The Embedded Rail solution which received the nomination reduces noise and vibration from rail vehicles, particularly in urban areas.

On 26th March 2014 the Austrian Minister of Economics and Science Reinhold Mitterlehner presented this year’s National Innovation Award at the “Aula der Wissenschaften” in Vienna. It is the highest recognition for innovative Austrian companies. The jury selected 23 projects from a total entry of 510. Only six companies made the short-list – one of which was Getzner, the only representative of Vorarlberg.

About the system

The Embedded Rail System entered for the National Innovation Award 2014 is a vibration isolation system that is specially designed for inner-city traffic – the system embeds light railway and tram rails in a resilient material. This provides a form of vibration protection that minimises noise and vibration at source. “This resilient system for rails uses Sylodyn®, a durable material developed by our own experts. It can be adapted to different circumstances and protects both track and road in equal measure, enabling route operators to reduce maintenance costs significantly. For passengers, installation of the system improves ride comfort because their journey becomes quieter. People living close to the tracks also benefit from the reduction in vibration and noise,” explains Jürgen Rainalter, Chief Executive Officer of Getzner.

Embedded Rail – treading softly

The jury gave the following reasons for the National Award nomination: "This project indirectly promotes increased social acceptance of local public transport. Resilient bedding of track systems reduces noise, emissions and vibration along rail tracks. The innovation absorbs structure-borne noise and vibration from the chassis, increases the life of the track and reduces the load on the chassis, which protects the suspension." The Embedded Rail System has a positive impact on quality of life – especially in densely populated areas such as cities – and also increases passenger comfort. By enveloping the tram rails in a special material, Getzner has succeeded in reducing vibration and noise right at the point of origin. "The economic aspect is also important, because the Embedded Rail System protects not only the tracks, but also the rail vehicles and the road: it minimises maintenance and repairs – which saves time and money, so it is a sensible idea with a far-reaching effect," says Harald Loy, one of the developers of the rail system at Getzner, adding: "This nomination is a welcome acknowledgement of our commitment and capacity for innovation. This success is an enormous boost to our motivation, and also shows us that we are moving in the right direction."

The National Award

The Ministry of the Economy has been awarding the National Innovation Award for over 30 years in recognition of the innovative achievements of Austrian companies. It is awarded for achievements which meet the most demanding of requirements imposed at the microeconomic and macroeconomic scale and by social and environmental policy. The specialist jury consists of eight people including representatives of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Austrian Industries and experts from science and industry.