Rail safety: The backbone of Africa’s infrastructure and economic growth

“The adoption of advanced imaging technologies enables rail construction companies to boost their competitiveness, meet safety standards and contribute to building a strong, sustainable rail network that will propel Africa's development forward.”

Gculisile Mvelase?

As rail infrastructure continues to play a vital role in connecting regions and supporting economic growth across Africa, ensuring the safety and reliability of railway networks has never been more important. Recent advancements in imaging technology are setting new standards in rail safety by addressing the challenges of maintaining railway ballast, a critical component in track stability.

Railway ballast, the aggregate material that supports and stabilises railway tracks, is essential for the performance and safety of rail infrastructure. Traditional methods for evaluating ballast quality often fall short, especially in the diverse geological conditions present in Africa. These limitations can lead to significant issues in track design, maintenance and safety. However, advanced imaging systems are now offering transformative solutions.

The Enhanced University of Illinois Image Analyzer (E-UIAIA) is at the forefront of this technology, providing detailed insights into ballast properties such as shape, angularity, surface texture and degradation over time. This enables engineers to develop more accurate construction and maintenance strategies, ultimately enhancing rail safety by reducing the frequency and cost of repairs. Improved ballast quality ensures that Track Quality Index scores remain within acceptable limits, leading to smoother rides for passengers and reduced wear and tear for freight transport.

In South Africa, leading institutions like the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), supported by the South African National Road Agency Limited, are pioneering the use of these advanced imaging systems. The CSIR is upgrading its facilities to include the E-UIAIA system, which analyses critical particle characteristics such as angularity, surface texture, flatness and elongation. These advancements promise to significantly enhance the reliability and safety of South Africa's rail network.

Gculisile Mvelase, a senior research engineer at the CSIR and a prominent figure in the field of geotechnical engineering, recently highlighted the impact of these technologies at the SAHHA 2024 Conference. Her research focuses on dolomite ballast material from the Gauteng province, revealing significant changes in particle characteristics due to breakage, abrasion and polishing. Mvelase's study recommends maintaining an angularity index below 470 and a surface texture index not exceeding 2.1, with a variation limit of 85% to ensure ballast quality and track stability.

Mvelase's work not only contributes to better rail infrastructure in South Africa but also strengthens international collaboration, particularly between South African and United States researchers. This collaboration fosters the exchange of knowledge and drives technological advancements that could extend beyond railways to other engineering disciplines.

The integration of advanced imaging technologies into rail construction and maintenance is set to revolutionise the industry, enhancing project bids and meeting international safety regulations. For companies involved in rail construction projects, demonstrating proficiency in these cutting-edge technologies can be a key differentiator, bolstering their reputation and success in securing new partnerships.

About the author

Gculisile Mvelase is a senior research engineer in the CSIR Smart Mobility rail space in South Africa.

She holds a Master’s degree in geotechnical engineering from the University of Pretoria and boasts over 15 years of experience in the field.

Her expertise spans planning condition assessments, geotechnical investigation of railway substructures and construction material analysis. Mvelase has an extensive background in construction and maintenance, including forensic investigations into premature pavement failures, as well as testing and modelling the mechanical properties of road construction materials.

Mvelase has led efforts in developing specifications and standard protocols for railway construction and has played a crucial role in training road engineers in Tanzania. Her work has significantly contributed to establishing standards for quality control and assurance in road construction earthworks and gravels.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Mvelase is a part-time lecturer for an advanced foundation engineering course at the University of South Africa. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (2006), a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in geotechnical engineering from the University of Pretoria (2009) and a Master of Science in geotechnical engineering from the University of Pretoria (2017).

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Expertise: Track design and construction, railway track maintenance, pavement design and geotechnical investigation.

Contact details: [email protected]

Telephone: 012 841 4644