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Ferrovial and Adif joins forces for rail R&D

24 Oct 11 Ferrovial’s construction subsidiary, Agroman, is to work with Spain's rail network company Adif to research new materials for building rail slab track and reducing noise and vibration.

Adif chairman Antonio González Marín and Ferrovial Agroman CEO Alejandro de la Joya Ruiz de Velasco signed a framework agreement to work together on activities relating to research, technological development and innovation at Adif's Rail Technology Centre (CTF) in Málaga.

The goal of the agreement is to undertake joint projects to research new materials for building slab track, track bed sensors, and reducing noise and vibrations in railway infrastructure.

Adif is providing Ferrovial Agroman workspace in the CTF and at the testing and experimentation facilities in Antequera. 

This new infrastructure will mobilise investment of more than €400m (£348m). It is intended to make Spain a global leader in railway technology and strengthen its international competitiveness of the industry. 

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The agreement runs until 31 December 2012, renewable automatically for two years, and covers the creation of a working group to develop R&D and innovation projects.

Research will focus on:

  • development and use of new technologies and materials for the construction of slab track for regular and high-speed trains;
  • continuous track monitoring and use of sensors on bed and tracks;
  • systems to reduce noise and vibrations in railway infrastructure.

The two entities will also work together creating public-private partnerships to apply for R&D and innovation grants in Spain and the EU, submitting joint bids for international tenders, and on other activities of mutual interest.

Adif has 48 R&D and innovation projects under way. The projects, which involve partnerships with 100 Spanish companies, 24 technology centres and 26 universities, represent a total investment of €118m.

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