Madrid Metro Upgrades ‘Obsolete’ Track Inspection Equipment with €1 Million Investment
Madrid, February 13 – Madrid Metro, Spain’s largest subway system, has acknowledged that its manual track inspection equipment is ‘obsolete’ and is investing more than one million euros to replace it. This significant upgrade aims to address current operational limitations and enhance safety across its 300-kilometer network. The company, however, clarifies that this initiative is part of a routine renewal process and is not directly linked to the recent Adamuz train accident.
Outdated Technology Poses Operational Challenges
Official documents consulted by EL PAÍS reveal that the current equipment used by Madrid Metro for manual track inspection suffers from ‘obsolescence,’ leading to ‘limitations in operational capabilities’ that impact ‘equipment availability and inspection campaign planning.’ This situation has prompted the public company to procure two new, advanced systems to mitigate potential risks.
The existing dual ultrasonic inspection equipment, manufactured by Sperry Rail Service and acquired in 2014, has been in service for over a decade. Its age has not only affected its operational capacity but also rendered it technologically outdated. The current machines can only inspect tracks at a speed of ten kilometers per hour and do not transmit real-time information, highlighting their technological obsolescence in both software and hardware.
Enhanced Safety and Structural Integrity
The new contract, valued at over one million euros, aims to rectify these shortcomings. The announcement, published in the regional bulletin, emphasizes the critical role of well-maintained tracks in railway safety. It states that early detection of internal fissures and invisible defects is essential to prevent structural failures and reduce accident risks.
“The good condition of the rails that make up the Madrid Metro network is a critical factor for circulation safety, requiring the early detection of fissures and invisible internal defects that could compromise the structural integrity of the track,” the company stated. “Visual inspection techniques are insufficient to identify internal material defects, making it essential to have specific ultrasonic inspection equipment that allows for rail auscultation and early detection of internal discontinuities, in order to prevent structural failures, reduce the risk of accidents, and optimize maintenance tasks.”
New Equipment to Include Surface Defect Detection
The upcoming equipment will feature advanced technology, including an induced current system for detecting surface defects that ultrasonic systems cannot identify due to physical limitations. These surface defects, if not addressed, can lead to fissures and breakages, underscoring the importance of this comprehensive inspection capability.
“This tender would include the additional improvement of having, in addition to the ultrasonic detection system like the previous equipment, a surface defect detection system through induced currents,” the company outlined in the tender documentation. “This system allows detecting surface rail defects that cannot be detected by ultrasonics due to physical reasons, and which can lead to possible fissures and breakages if not eliminated through subsequent corrective actions.”
Routine Renewal, Not a Reaction to Adamuz Accident
A Madrid Metro spokesperson clarified that the replacement initiative is a periodic contract and part of a regular dynamic, having been formalized on previous occasions. “This contract is not being carried out as a result of Adamuz. It is a periodic contract, within a habitual dynamic, which has already been formalized on previous occasions,” the spokesperson stated.
This statement comes amidst an investigation into the Adamuz train accident, where 46 people died, which is focusing on potential defects in a track weld. However, Madrid Metro maintains that their equipment renewal is a pre-planned measure to enhance safety and operational efficiency.
Madrid Metro’s Commitment to Maintenance and Expansion
Madrid Metro recorded 736,874,012 journeys in 2025, a 3% increase from the previous year, and anticipates surpassing this record in 2026. The company is actively pursuing significant expansion and modernization projects, including converting Line 6 to driverless trains and extending Lines 5, 9, and 11.
Maintaining a century-old transport network while undergoing such extensive changes presents considerable challenges. The acquisition of these new inspection machines is a testament to the company’s commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of its services.
The subway system undertakes continuous track inspections using ultrasonics, covering the entire network every six months. Additionally, periodic rail reprofiling, quarterly on-foot track surveillance, and regular lubrication reviews are conducted, primarily during night hours when the Metro is closed. These efforts are crucial for the safety of Spain’s largest Metro network.
Source: https://elpais.com/espana/madrid/2026-02-13/el-metro-mas-grande-de-espana-reconoce-que-los-equipos-que-usa-para-revisar-las-vias-manualmente-estan-obsoletos.html
