On November 29, in Brasília, BNDES announced a financial contribution of R$10.65 billion for infrastructure projects in São Paulo. The resources, which are part of the New PAC (Growth Acceleration Program), will be allocated to expansion projects for the São Paulo subway, a road complex, a modern rail link between the city of São Paulo and Campinas (about 100 km away), and the purchase of 1,300 electric buses.

Infrastructure projects and projects, especially in the road and metro-rail areas, are the main activity of IEME Brasil, which has been working for over 35 years with instrumentation and monitoring of roads, data processing and analysis for engineering reports, various tests, and accredited inspection (by INMETRO) of road and rail projects and projects. In addition, it has LAEDE, a laboratory that has Cgcre accreditation (ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025) and is part of the Brazilian Network of Testing Laboratories (RBLE).

Due to investments in infrastructure, which are already reflecting an increase in demand, LAEDE recently acquired new equipment (hydraulic pumps and controllers) for testing metro-rail components and systems. The hydraulic pump, for example, is a state-of-the-art piece of equipment, capable of saving up to 20% of energy, and is the first of its kind to be installed in Brazil.

The investments ratify IEME’s commitment to the quality and safety of the projects and works in which it participates, remembering that the company is present on all São Paulo subway lines and in the structural tests of Rodoanel Norte, to name a few examples. The company also carries out a series of works focused on land regularization and social housing.

During the construction of Line 5 of the São Paulo Metro, we had the privilege of carrying out an impressive test at LAEDE on a full-size prototype of the permanent track of this line. This slab, 14 meters long and weighing a surprising 40 tons, was built inside our laboratory for a unique experiment.

The video below shows the moment when the prototype passes through the natural frequency and enters resonance when subjected to Vibrodina. It is surprising that a slab with such dimensions and weight can move in such a way.

The objective of the test was to confirm the efficiency of the vibration attenuation system to mitigate the impacts produced by the passage of trains on the magnetic resonance equipment of the Hospital São Paulo, located very close to the track.

This world-first system was conceived and designed by IEME Brazil with devices custom-made by Vibtech.

This is yet another example of IEME and LAEDE’s commitment to technological innovation and engineering excellence. This is how we transform challenges into high-impact solutions for Brazil and the world!

Tactile floors are a vital element for accessibility for people with visual impairments. They emerged in 1965, when engineer Seiichi Miyake, driven by the desire to help a friend who had lost his sight, developed a system of embossed floors that could be detected by touch. Different textures and shapes indicated safety conditions or specific risks.

The city of Okayama was a pioneer in adopting the innovation, installing the first tactile tiles on its sidewalks in March 1967. The bright color of the blocks has also benefited individuals with low vision and cognitive disabilities.

Thanks to Miyake’s work, tactile floors have become a global reference in urban accessibility and a symbol of inclusion for people with visual and motor disabilities (wheelchair users). Its innovation has positively impacted the lives of millions of people, opening safe paths for urban mobility.

IEME Brasil has been working for over 20 years in the area of urban accessibility, contributing to a more inclusive society that is aware of the needs of citizens.

Find out more about our work in this area by accessing the link.