Plasser TampingAssistant – automating the tamping process

Plasser TampingAssistant automates positioning of the work units and makes it easier to operate tamping machines efficiently, particularly around turnouts and crossings. Based on various sensors and predefined tamping plans, the AI suggests courses of action; they must be confirmed by operating staff before the system executes them. The digital assistant reduces work loads and complexity, increases working speed, and ensures consistently high quality.

Two versions are available: Basic allows you to select lifting tools and specify the position and alignment of the lifting and lining unit with the help of AI. Doing so unburdens machine staff, allowing them to completely concentrate on the tamping task at hand. Plasser TampingAssistant Pro offers even more. In addition to the Basic features, the AI positions the 3rd-rail lifting unit on the lifting and lining unit. The greatest added value is that the tamping tines are automatically positioned according to the tamping plan saved for turnouts and plain lines. Additionally, TampingAssistant Pro helps with controlling other work units such as stabilizing units, sleeper-end consolidators, sweeper brushes, noise barriers, and the front plough. It is possible to upgrade from Basic to Pro.

Plasser TampingControl – consistent quality tamping

Plasser TampingControl analyses work results in real time during the tamping process. The system is based on robust, wear-free sensors which have already been tested successfully worldwide.

This automation option for the squeezing process ensures filling and consolidation quality, making the track geometry last longer. This is achieved, for example, by automatically adjusting the squeezing force based on the ballast conditions. There are even more benefits: Plasser TampingControl makes it easier to operate a tamping machine – another way to counteract the shortage of skilled staff. At the same time, it provides detailed information about the ballast condition. This makes more efficient planning of track infrastructure easier and ensures a long-lasting track geometry.

Thanks to Plasser TampingControl’s modular design, other features can be retrofitted at a later stage as a software upgrade. This flexibility allows machine operating companies and infrastructure managers to extend or adapt their systems as needed without requiring a full-scale retrofit.

Scientific evidence supports the quality of the TampingControl data on the ballast condition. Simulations and multiple field tests prove system reliability and performance.

Changes in the work sequence

The new features optimize the work sequence. The changes are described below:

Plasser TampingReport – user-friendly proof of work

Plasser TampingReport summarizes data from different systems, creating a central, transparent report. The user-friendly digital report makes it possible to analyse the maintenance measure which was actually performed in detail. It displays the quality of the ballast on the line sleeper for sleeper. All data available on the machine is displayed.

Plasser SmartTamping components can connect seamlessly and be implemented either individually or as a completely integrated machine system. That way it is possible, for example, to combine positioning data from Plasser TampingAssistant’s AI-based evaluation with the known track geometry parameters from the DRP Data Recording Processor. Other systems which can provide report data are Plasser TampingControl or colour-camera images.

The Plasser TampingReport is automatically generated. It is available directly on the machine once the work is complete and the DRP reports are generated. That is when the combined report can be viewed via the on-board system, allowing the work performed to be viewed with a level of detail never seen before. Additionally, it can automatically synchronize with Plasser Datamatic in an IT environment in the office; it can be called up there at any time. This ensures that the data can be archived long-term and be available for other uses, such as time series analyses.