Developments in track circuit condition monitoring

4th IET International Conference on Railway Condition Monitoring (RCM 2008) ◽

10.1049/ic:20080312 ◽

2008 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A.H. Millar ◽

A. Lindsay

Keyword(s):

Condition Monitoring ◽

Track Circuit

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Mapping of the electromagnetic environment on the railway: Condition monitoring of signalling assets

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part F Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit ◽

10.1177/0954409718802998 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 234 (3) ◽

pp. 246-256

Author(s):

Alexander Knight-Percival ◽

Christopher Johnson ◽

Benjamin Richards ◽

Scott Palmer ◽

Nicholas Bowring

Keyword(s):

Condition Monitoring ◽

Detection System ◽

Low Cost ◽

Capital Outlay ◽

Electromagnetic Environment ◽

Analysis Techniques ◽

Track Circuits ◽

Condition Monitoring Systems ◽

Advanced Analysis ◽

Track Circuit

Conventional track circuit condition monitoring systems are fixed at the wayside, with each installation reporting on a single track circuit. In this work, we present a custom-built, sensitive, magnetic field detection system, which can be fitted to the underside of a rail vehicle. With this system installed, some characteristics of an operating track circuit can be monitored from the vehicle whilst it is in motion. By using appropriate analysis techniques, it is possible to identify the signatures of equipment relating to audio frequency track circuits, the topic of this work. Analysing the signatures of track circuit equipment demonstrated that there were clear differences between track circuit assets. By building on other research into the behaviours of failing track circuits, and continuing to conduct this research, the authors believe that it is possible, and beneficial, to perform condition monitoring of track circuits from low-cost equipment mounted on the train. Coupling this with advanced analysis techniques will allow predictive maintenance of track circuits with very little capital outlay.

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