The National Centre for Research and Development

  Project title

Innovative technology for the production, logistics, assembly, and maintenance of prefabricated tramway turnouts in blocks

  Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries

KZN Rail Sp. z o.o., Kolejowe Zakłady Nawierzchniowe “Bieżanów” Sp. z o.o.

  Name of programme

Smart Growth Operational Programme

  Competition

Fast Track

  Project value

PLN 8,607,518.35

  Funding value

PLN 3,443,007.34

  Project delivery period

from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023

Meet our team

Dorota Błaszkiewicz-Juszczęć

 

Małgorzata Urbanek

 

Agata Misiaszek-Uchańska

 

Tomasz Bis

 

Mateusz Kozak

 

Grzegorz Leszczyński

See the results of our work

Poznań

 

Kraków

 

Mysłowice

What problem does our project solve?

Contrack accelerates the construction and renovation of critical tram infrastructure. Traditionally, these processes took weeks (as concrete layers require at least 28 days to set on-site). With our solution, they can be completed in as little as 72 hours over a weekend. Prefabricated turnout slabs and non-standard crossings (e.g.,  curves or inclined sections) are delivered ready-made to the site and installed using plug-in technology. This approach significantly eases the burden on cities, reducing the social costs of modernising crucial tram components. This is especially beneficial at points where tram and road transport intersect. Road administrators no longer need to plan extended detours or set up replacement transport services, and residents are spared the endless traffic jams caused by prolonged construction. Additionally, moving the production phase to the manufacturer’s facility improves initial product quality, extends its lifespan, and lowers maintenance costs throughout its lifecycle.

Another key advantage is the ability to uninstall track surfaces without damaging the concrete prefabricates (using high-pressure water-cutting technology). This is crucial because while the lifespan of intensively used track systems is approximately 10–12 years, the concrete layers can last over 30 years. Current technologies require breaking and re-casting the upper layers of concrete. Thanks to Contrack, track repairs, such as those for heavily used turnout nodes, will no longer create weeks of inconvenience for residents.  

Who will benefit from the project's results?

The results of the project benefit two target groups:

1. City residents, including not only public transport users, but also drivers. Previously available technologies caused weeks-long traffic jams at construction or repair sites, often disrupting traffic flow across the entire city, forcing detours, and creating congestion. This was particularly problematic at intersections where tram and road traffic converge.
2. City administrators – rapid installation relieves cities from the need for constant traffic reorganisation and reduces public dissatisfaction. Prefabrication also ensures higher initial product quality and extends the product's lifespan, thereby lowering maintenance costs throughout its lifecycle.