The Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link, The Brenner Base Tunnel and the Crossrail project are a few examples of the work facing tunnel construction companies around the world in the years to come. With more than 450 products on show at InnoTrans 2016 the world’s tunnel construction industry will be demonstrating it ability to master such projects. From September 20 to 23 the Tunnel Construction segment will provide a concentrated and wide-ranging display of products and services for the construction and maintenance of tunnels. They include building materials, fire safety and ventilation systems, tunneling equipment and methods, as well as communication and security systems, cleaning systems and electrical installations.
In hall 5.2 the German company Herrenknecht will be showcasing the Crossrail project, a 180-kilometer regional express line linking east and west London which is due to open in 2018. With the help of a scaled model this regular exhibitor at InnoTrans will be providing information on its tunneling machines which dug underground corridors beneath the metropolis over a distance of 41 kilometers for this project. Plasser & Theurer from Austria will be exhibiting their TIF tunnel inspection vehicle at the Outdoor Display. This vehicle features three cranes with a reach of up to 14.5 meters.
Besides these market leaders Valente, a company from Italy, will also be represented. It manufactures equipment and systems for tunnel construction sites, including special wagons and diesel and electric locomotives for working inside tunnels. Fire safety is also an important topic at this year’s trade fair. The Cologne-based company FOGTEC manufactures fire safety systems which produce a high-pressure mist that creates a long-term effect, is eco-friendly and is not hazardous to humans. Aero-X AG, a Swiss company which is exhibiting for the first time, will have information on specific types of fire extinguishers for rail vehicles and maintenance equipment as well as for rail and tunnel infrastructure.
CFT GmbH Compact Filter Technic is a company specializing in ventilation and dust particle removal to facilitate tunnel work. Other air-cleaning products marketed by this German company include wet and dry dust particle removers and fans. The UK-based company Nightsearcher will be showcasing its latest lighting systems for tunnel construction work.
Specialist topics at the International Tunnel Forum
What are the advantages in tunnel construction of Building Information Modelling (BIM), a much talked-about, electronically networked planning, construction and management tool? Experts from numerous countries will be discussing this question at the International Tunnel Forum. This event in the CityCube Berlin will provide a platform for a specialist debate with industry experts from Germany and abroad. The second topical issue which the forum will discuss concerns safety in underground train stations. This not only has to do with operational safety but also with the personal safety of staff and passengers. The International Tunnel Forum is organized by the German Research Association for Underground Transportation (STUVA) and will be moderated by Dr.-Ing. Roland Leucker, the managing director of STUVA.
