Amorim Cork Solutions (ACS) is proud to contribute to Amsterdam’s transportation project: the North-South Metro Line 52.
This prestigious line presented unique challenges: the city is largely built on piles, demanding a fastening system that could accommodate future tunnel settlement and stringent noise-and-vibration limits.
This new line has a positive impact on urban mobility, since residents and visitors can now travel from the Boven ‘t Y Shopping Center in the north to the bustling Zuidas business district, in only 15 minutes.
Alom Rail Fastening System: NZL49
The project uses the Alom rail fastening system, NZL49, that features cork-rubber vibration control rail pads and baseplates. The combination of these materials effectively reduces noise and vibrations at source, significantly minimizing negative impacts on residents living near the metro line. The complete rail-fastening solution:
- Met all technical specifications (EN 13481-5 Category A) for noise and vibration control
- Incorporated unique adjustment capabilities to compensate for ground movement
- Reduced component count to simplify maintenance
Cork-rubber rail pads and baseplate pads deliver exceptional damping at the source, ensuring both performance and longevity. The system has a minimum lifespan of 25 years and its performance was extensively tested at Dekra, an independent organization authorized to certify processes and products in the rail sector, with a test simulation undertaken at the University of Leuven, in Belgium. The solution was chosen by the Amsterdam public transport company, Gemeentelijk Vervoersbedrijf (GVB), to improve the urban living experience while maintaining efficient rail operations.
The combination of cork and rubber in vibration-control rail pads and baseplates not only mitigates sound and vibration but also lowers the project’s environmental footprint, since cork is a 100% natural material. This highlights ACS’s commitment to delivering sustainable solutions for modern urban infrastructure.
This article was originally published by Amorim Cork Solutions.
