Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) announced on the 29th that it has successfully conducted a trial installation of synthetic resin railroad sleepers developed with domestic technology in Vietnam.
The synthetic resin railroad sleepers are made of polyurethane material reinforced with fiber reinforcement technology to support railroad tracks. This project was carried out as part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's 'Performance Diffusion Type International Cooperation Research and Development in Land, Infrastructure and Transport.'
Previously, preservative-treated wooden sleepers were mainly used, but due to environmental issues, production in Southeast Asia has become impossible recently, leading KORAIL to develop synthetic resin sleepers this time. These sleepers use a special treatment method, offering excellent durability, economic efficiency, and corrosion resistance, and are eco-friendly as they do not use harmful preservatives.
KORAIL developed these sleepers jointly with domestic small and medium-sized enterprises and collaborated with Vietnam Railways (VNR) to install them locally in Vietnam to review their technical feasibility. They conducted trial installations on railroad bridges where trains are actually operating and on turnouts that change the direction of the tracks to verify durability and safety.
As global standards for the use of eco-friendly sleepers are being strengthened in the worldwide railroad market, KORAIL expects the market for synthetic resin sleepers to expand in Southeast Asia, Europe, and other regions.
Lee Doo-hee, head of research at KORAIL, said, "Building on this project, which confirmed the possibility of localizing new technology together with Vietnam Railways, we will strive to participate in Vietnam's railroad modernization projects, maintenance, and high-speed rail construction."
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