Renewal of platforms is a fine piece of logistical work

A complete platform in 52 hours

Renovating an entire platform in 52 hours that requires 24/7 work. To put it mildly, a great logistical challenge. In other words, a tough operation in which a lot of work has to be done in a short time without compromising on quality. It is up to Van Ooijen Gouda to complete such jobs on behalf of railroad manager ProRail and in cooperation with fellow contractors. 

When asked which train route was a real challenge for them last year, Harmen Eijkelenboom, general manager of Van Ooijen Gouda, does not have to think long. "Last year, as part of the Platforms at Standard program, we tackled three train stations within one rail route at the same time. These were Rhenen, Veenendaal-Centrum and Veenendaal-West. Working in a station environment is not easy. As a contractor, you are often tied to ProRail's 'out-of-service' schedule for the work and you have to take into account all the timetables and logistical operations at the stations. For the renewal of these three stations we had nine consecutive days of work, 24 hours a day. Within that time the job had to be done, because that's how long the stations could be taken out of service." The stations mentioned are only three of a total of 300 stations whose platforms ProRail has renovated in recent years. "This involves the Platform On Norm contract (PON contract). At train stations, we (re)build sand and yoke platforms according to the P76 standard on behalf of ProRail. We make platforms exactly 760 millimeters high, measured from the top of the rail. We also ensure that the distance between the edge of the platform and the middle of the track is exactly 1,700 millimeters. Thus, disabled people have better access to the trains by bringing each platform to exactly the same height and distance from the track." Van Ooijen is doing this together with three fellow contractors. 

At height

The P76 standard has been in place since 2008, by now some 300 of the total of over 400 stations with a total of some 1,000 platforms in the Netherlands have been renovated. Given the fact that the P76 standard started in 2008 and has therefore been in force for almost 15 years, this also means that various platforms no longer meet this standard. Simply because they have subsided, for example, or the track height has changed over time as a result of maintenance. This means that the platforms must be readjusted. "For this we have the Beheer Toegankelijke Instap contract (BTI) with ProRail. That means we make sure the platforms remain at height. For the four national regions, we are the only contractor who takes care of this on behalf of ProRail."

Most circular platform tile

The modification and maintenance of the platforms must be done sustainably where possible. One of the sustainable measures is the application of the most circular platform tile currently available in the Netherlands. This tile was developed by firm De Hamer from Nijmegen. "This tile is made 86 percent from old platform tiles. By 2021, we were the first in the Netherlands to apply the tiles (about 10,000 m²). The tiles were applied from the track by machine using our new specially developed vacuum clamps. We are even the first company to apply the safety zone markings completely by machine. Sustainable, circular, ARBO-technically perfect and also fast. In fact, we currently carry out all projects in this mechanical way. We also install the most sustainable retaining walls, which we do together with two other contractors. The retaining walls are manufactured in the Bosch Beton factory in Barneveld. Whereas the retaining walls used to be 1 meter, Bosch Beton makes them in lengths of 2 meters. Not only durable in fabrication but also the application is faster and therefore more durable this way."

Renewal of bicycle parking facilities

Van Ooijen Gouda is a specialist in realizing safe road and rail infrastructure. And so the work at and around stations goes beyond simply renewing platforms. Van Ooijen also focuses on improving sections of track, constructing bicycle parking facilities and building service paths. For example, for all of the Netherlands, they have the bicycle parking contract. "More and more people are coming to the station by bike. As a result, there is a shortage of good bicycle parking facilities at many smaller stations. Throughout the Netherlands we build new parking facilities where there is a shortage. The client has nothing to worry about, because we immediately lay paving, provide cabling, lighting and signage. Everything necessary for the realization of the expansion of the bicycle parking facility."

100 kilometers of schouwpad

After the summer of 2022, another great project is in the pipeline for Van Ooijen, namely the renewal of the inspection paths on the Amsterdam- Utrecht train section in cooperation with the Reimert Group. These paths have a total length of 100 kilometers. "We basically do everything involved in station maintenance and renewal. In addition to the civil work, we also perform structural work on various buildings of the railroad manager on behalf of ProRail. For example, we are going to replace the roofing on the canopies of the Barendrecht and Schiedam stations."

Step 4 on the safety ladder

In addition to big ambitions for sustainability, safe working is priority No. 1 at Van Ooijen. "Our people work daily around large machines, along (rail) roads and they do physically intensive work. This involves the necessary safety risks. At the beginning of this year, we organized a special Safety Day. It is one of the means we use to inform our people. All kinds of topics are covered, such as: risk assessment and safety protocols. At the Safety Day, we launched our new safety campaign SAVE. SAVE stands for Together Alert, Safety First. We incorporated the corresponding new logo/safety feature on all company clothing and construction fencing. This is how we keep the safety awareness of our people high." Proof that Van Ooijen takes safety more than seriously is the achievement of step 4 on the safety ladder in March this year. "A great step for our company and confirmation that we take safety very seriously!"