Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) in collaboration with King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) signed a memorandum of understanding with Thai private companies: A.U.T. Company Limited (AUT), M&S Engineering Company from Australia, and UUDEN Rail Products Company from the Netherlands to produce “Eco-Smart Dampers”, energy dissipating platforms to reduce noise pollution and vibration on railway tracks, which are environmentally friendly with a blend of natural rubber components made from 100% recycled BCG materials, the first of its kind in the world. The research and development were carried out by Thai researchers to be exported to Europe and Australia, generating income for the country.
The increased noise and vibration from the railway expansion projects in Thailand affect the quality of life of residents nearby. The commonly used method abroad is to reduce noise at the source or adjust vibration by installing Track Dampers on railway tracks, which has been recommended in Europe and Australia due to its cost-effectiveness and efficient results. KMITL, led by Asst. Prof. Ratthapoom Prichatpreecha, Director of Excellence in Road Innovation and Rail Systems Research Center, KMITL, conceptualized the application of this method to reduce noise pollution and be environmentally friendly by using a blend of natural rubber components, supported by research funds from PMUC, under MHESI, in collaboration with AUT, the manufacturer of Track Dampers for export. This initiative resulted in the creation of the world’s first Eco-Smart Damper (Green Tuned Rail Damper), which not only reduces noise pollution and vibrations on railway tracks but also is environmentally friendly. In late March, an agreement was signed between KMITL, AUT, M&S Engineering from Australia, and UUDEN Rail Products from the Netherlands to expand the utilization of this technology for commercial purposes by exporting to Europe and Australia to generate income for the country. Assoc. Prof. Thongchai Suwansichon, Director of PMUC, and Mr.Nakorn Chantasorn, member of the Future Mobility Subcommittee, PMUC, along with Assoc. Prof. Somyos Kiatwanitwilai, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, KMITL, Mr. Suthep Punpeng, Deputy Director of S.R.T. Electrified Train Co., Ltd., Mr. Thananin Nachiangtung, General Manager of AUT Company Limited, and representatives from Thai, Australian, and Dutch private companies, were present as witnesses. Additionally, a seminar on “Noise and Vibration in Railway Systems” was organized to disseminate knowledge under the research project “Eco-Smart Damper from Natural Rubber Components to Reduce Noise and Vibration on Railway Tracks” to relevant participating agencies at the Grand Fortune Hotel, Bangkok.
Assoc. Prof. Thongchai Suwansichon, Ph.D., Director of PMUC, stated, “This project marks a global first, where innovation has been developed to reduce noise pollution and vibrations on railway tracks using Green Technology. The development includes the installation of energy-dissipating dampers on railway tracks made from BCG materials, which can be recycled 100% by using natural rubber as a component. This not only makes it environmentally friendly but also yields efficient products at reasonable prices. Furthermore, it contributes to adding value to Thai agricultural products. Additionally, it fosters knowledge development and creates an industrial ecosystem for rail systems in the country, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs and laying the economic foundation for self-reliance at the national level, driving Thailand’s BCG forward.”
Asst. Prof. Rattapoom Prichatpreecha, Project Leader, added, “We have collaborated with AUT Co., which was originally the manufacturer of the key component, the Track Dampers, exporting more than 300,000 pieces globally due to the expansion of railway systems worldwide. Most materials used are synthetic and imported, posing environmental challenges. Therefore, this research project expanded upon that product by enhancing environmental friendliness, substituting some materials with two types of local materials: natural rubber and recycled car tire rubber. Moreover, we’ve introduced intelligent functionalities by installing sensors for railway movement detection and analysis using AI and IoT systems. Apart from enhancing environmental friendliness, the embedded intelligent sensor system can also serve as a monitoring system for alerts and maintenance planning. We have entered into cooperation agreements with companies in Australia and the Netherlands with the aim of exporting our products to Europe, Asia, and Australia to promote Thai entrepreneurs and generate income for the country.”
Product Highlights:
- Addresses environmental issues by reducing railway noise pollution at the source, achieving a reduction of 3-7 decibels.
- Increases railway efficiency, reducing maintenance downtime.
- Easy installation, low maintenance requirement, more cost-effective than soundproof walls.
- BCG material is 100% recyclable (can use up to 50% natural rubber as a component, adding value to agricultural products).
- Elevates from Tire 3 to Tier 1 industry, designed and tested by Thai researchers in collaboration with Thai private companies, using 100% local materials, promoting Thai ownership of technology.
- Tested in laboratories and real-world applications in Thailand, including urban and suburban railways, with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) at level 8, ready for commercialization.
- Elevates and establishes a railway industrial ecosystem in the country, with the goal of exporting to Europe, Asia, and Australia to generate income for the country.
