19.04.2024 - Aluminium Association

The Russian aluminium industry possesses all the expertise, technologies, and resources needed to implement joint projects in comprehensive landscaping with Russian Railways. This was stated by Oleg Maslov, the head of transport infrastructure at the Aluminium Association, during the Innovation Day of Russian Railways. The event focused on innovative solutions at regional railway facilities. The event was attended by Vyacheslav Dmitriev, the head of the Kuibyshev Railway, Yuri Sibirsky, the director of the Regional Development Department at the Skolkovo Foundation, as well as sectoral experts from Russian Railways, government agencies, industrial companies, small businesses, universities, and startups.

As part of the business agenda, producers of aluminium-based solutions for pre-fabricated structures and terminals (Prosto Tent), bridge structures, and noise screens (PIK) presented their projects. Representatives from the Aluminium Association talked about advanced eco-friendly solutions for the construction and comfort of public spaces. They also talked about projects that are already implemented or are currently under construction on railways. These include a pedestrian bridge made of aluminium alloys in Krasnoyarsk, which spans over the tracks of the Trans-Siberian Railway. There is also a bridge being built at the Uzlovaya-1 station in the Tula region.

Moreover, aluminium solutions made in Russia can be used in various projects related to railway stations and train infrastructure. These solutions can be applied to the construction or renovation of railway stations and the design of rolling stock, including for the Moscow-Saint Petersburg high-speed railway. For instance, noise screens made of aluminium alloys are known for their excellent resistance to corrosion, long service life, and the lower number of replacement cycles needed as compared to their counterparts. Today, screens are already installed on railway tracks in various regions, including the Arkhangelsk Region, Krasnodar Territory, the Ryazan, Sverdlovsk, and Yaroslavl regions, the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as on facilities of the North Caucasus Railway.

'Through our partnership with the Aluminium Association, we hope to access cutting-edge aluminium technologies that can be effectively integrated into our company's operations. There are three main areas: bridges, pedestrian crosswalks, and noise screens. These innovations should significantly reduce the weight of structures, make their installation easier and faster, and ensure durability and corrosion resistance. The light weight of aluminium means that it puts less stress on supports and foundations, which is crucial for bridge structures. Aluminium noise screens, in turn, effectively reduce noise levels without requiring complex maintenance,' said Vyacheslav Dmitriev, Head of Kuibyshev Railway.

For the Innovation Day, the Aluminium Association, in partnership with PIK, organised an exhibition where visitors could learn about the advantages of aluminium-based solutions. The exhibition also showcased designs for a pre-fabricated bridge kit and a full-size noise screen. The photo exhibition showcased construction and transport infrastructure facilities fully developed and manufactured in Russia. These solutions are considered the top of the industry.

'The opportunity to showcase the potential of aluminium solutions in Samara is incredibly valuable for us. This is where the longest bridge made of aluminium alloys has been constructed, commissioned by the Ministry of Transport of the Samara Region. The project to build a pedestrian bridge over the tracks of the Trans-Siberian Railway has been successfully completed. Four projects have been designed for implementation in the Tula, Voronezh, and Kemerovo regions, and they have already been greenlit by the Government Expert Review. We also anticipate that aluminium products will also be in high demand during the construction of the high-speed railway between Moscow and Saint Petersburg,' stated Oleg Maslov.

The Russian Railways Innovation Day is an opportunity to reach an agreement on increasing the use of aluminium structures, identify possible new areas for their use and discuss specific projects for the near future. The participants of the Innovation Day agreed to work on expanding the list of potential solutions that use aluminium. These include applications in the construction of locomotives, the installation of poles for the trolley system, and the creation of temporary supports for artificial structures.