scholarly journals Assessment of track and turnout condition based on geometry measurement and railhead condition data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janusz Madejski
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Data ◽  
Condition Assessment ◽  
Technical Condition ◽  
Track Geometry ◽  
Track Condition ◽  
Train Operation ◽  
Portable Instruments ◽  
Parameters Analysis ◽  
Geometry Measurement ◽  
Inspection Data

The paper presents the procedure of track and turnout geometry condition assessment, taking into account also the deterioration of the rail running surface. Track geometry measurements are made using manual tools, microprocessor-based portable instruments, and geometry cars. Methods of collecting track and turnout geometry data are discussed, and an exemplary equipment design features are presented. Maintaining and possible improvement of the technical condition of the permanent way call for regular inspections providing voluminous data requiring detailed analysis. The approach based on track line-speed dependent geometry parameters analysis is explained. Several synthetic track condition assessment coefficients are described, and analysis of the temporal trend of the track and turnout geometry change. Train operation safety is also affected by changes on the running surface of the rails. In addition to the track geometry, the significant reasons for train operation safety are the railhead wear being affected by the type of transport, traffic intensity and maximum allowable axle load. Determining the permanent way condition with the continuous design and maintenance characteristics is possible if measured on the minimum 200-300 m length with the measurement steps of ca 0.5 m. Comments on employing the Artificial Intelligence tools for track and turnout condition analysis are provided. Most of the inspection data collected using various equipment, like track and turnout geometry measurement data and video inspection information, can be analysed automatically by the dedicated software agents. Such an approach yields analysis results equivalent to the standard inspections, except that the trains and self-propelled trolleys can record data at higher speeds, railways staff could achieve.

scholarly journals Identification of Temperature-Induced Deformation for HSR Slab Track Using Track Geometry Measurement Data

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (24) ◽  
pp. 5446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zai-Wei Li ◽  
Xiao-Zhou Liu ◽  
Yue-Lei He
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Detection Method ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Railway Track ◽  
Discrete Wavelet ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Track Geometry ◽  
Slab Track ◽  
Geometry Measurement ◽  
Inspection Data

Slab track is widely used in many newly built high-speed rail (HSR) lines as it offers many advantages over ballasted tracks. However, in actual operation, slab tracks are subjected to operational and environmental factors, and structural damages are frequently reported. One of the most critical problems is temperature-induced slab-warping deformation (SWD) which can jeopardize the safety of train operation. This paper proposes an automatic slab deformation detection method in light of the track geometry measurement data, which are collected by high-speed track geometry car (HSTGC). The characteristic of track vertical irregularity is first analyzed in both time and frequency domain, and the feature of slab-warping phenomenon is observed. To quantify the severity of SWD, a slab-warping index (SWI) is established based on warping-sensitive feature extraction using discrete wavelet transform (DWT). The performance of the proposed algorithm is verified against visual inspection recorded on four sections of China HSR line, which are constructed with the China Railway Track System II (CRTSII) slab track. The results show that among the 24,806 slabs being assessed, over 94% of the slabs with warping deformation can be successfully identified by the proposed detection method. This study is expected to provide guidance for efficiently detecting and locating slab track defects, taking advantage of the massive track inspection data.

Novel Algorithm for Mutual Alignment of Railway Track Geometry Measurements

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110319
Author(s):  
Kristin Eklöf ◽  
Andrew Nwichi-Holdsworth ◽  
Johan Eklöf
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Errors ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Railway Track ◽  
Railway Network ◽  
Track Geometry ◽  
Spatially Correlated ◽  
Geometry Measurement ◽  
Variable Sample Rate ◽  
Novel Algorithm

Track geometry measurements are regularly collected to monitor the condition of a railway network. To detect deterioration patterns and enable predictive maintenance, sequential measurement runs must be mutually aligned which has been proven a serious challenge. This paper presents a novel algorithm for mutual alignment of track geometry signal data. It resolves several previously intractable alignment problems: highly segmented data with variable sample rate, spatially correlated and uncorrelated measurement errors, convergence to true locations, and consistency over time. The algorithm adjusts spatial measurement errors by splitting signals in continuous segments. Re-sampled, error-corrected signals are mutually aligned using cross correlation, and this process is repeated until the mutual alignment meets a pre-defined precision threshold. Missing measurement values are handled by imputing an interpolated offset from nearby segments, ensuring that the signals remain continuous. By using weighted average offsets over all aligned signals, the law of large numbers guarantees convergence and consistency. The practical feasibility of the algorithm is demonstrated on empirical track geometry measurement data from the British railway network, owned and operated by Network Rail.

scholarly journals Analyzing Major Track Quality Indices and Introducing a Universally Applicable TQI

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (23) ◽  
pp. 8490
Author(s):  
Stefan Offenbacher ◽  
Johannes Neuhold ◽  
Peter Veit ◽  
Matthias Landgraf
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Data ◽  
Railway Track ◽  
Quality Indices ◽  
Combine Measurement ◽  
Track Geometry ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Track Condition ◽  
Railway Operation ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Track Quality

Adequate railway track condition is a prerequisite for safe and reliable railway operation. Many track quality indices (TQIs) have been developed with the aim of assessing the track condition holistically. These indices combine measurement signals of some or all relevant geometry parameters with different mathematical models. In this paper, a selection of important TQIs is evaluated. Using measurement data of a five kilometer track section, the indices are calculated and their properties are discussed. This study reveals that all indices exhibit drawbacks to varying degrees. As a consequence, a new index has been developed—the track quality index of Graz University of Technology (TUG_TQI). Its favorable characteristics are presented by means of the above-mentioned test section. The TUG_TQI combines all relevant track geometry parameters, which are normalized beforehand to eliminate over or underrepresentation of different parameters. Thus, the index reliably describes the overall geometrical track quality.

scholarly journals Application of Laser Vibrometry to Assess Defects in Ship Hull’s Welded Joints’ Technical Condition

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 895
Author(s):  
Adam Szeleziński ◽  
Adam Muc ◽  
Lech Murawski ◽  
Marcin Kluczyk ◽  
Tomasz Muchowski
Keyword(s):  
Optical Sensors ◽  
Welded Joints ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Technical Condition ◽  
Laser Vibrometer ◽  
Laser Vibrometry ◽  
Destructive Testing ◽  
Laser Sensors ◽  
Measurement Methodology ◽  
The Mathematical Model

The paper presents the measurement process and test results for six thin-walled plates with different dynamic characteristics caused by different defects of welded joints. The tests were carried out using non-destructive testing (NDT). The authors made an attempt to determine the validity of the use and degree of effectiveness of the tests based on laser vibrometry in detecting defects in welded joints. The tests of welded plates were carried out using displacement laser sensors and piezoelectric accelerometers, while the source of vibration extortion was a modal hammer. In the adopted measurement methodology, the application of accelerometers was to obtain the reference data, which allowed for comparison with the measurement data obtained from the laser vibrometer. The analysis of the obtained measurement data, in the fields of time and frequency, made it possible to verify the correctness of the data obtained by means of laser vibrometry and to determine the requirements which are necessary for the correct performance of NDT tests and in the future structural health monitoring (SHM) system of welded joints with the use of a laser vibrometer. The mathematical model developed in the MSC software Pastran-Nastran was also used in the work. The model was developed for the purpose of mutual verification of the measurement and calculation tests. At the present stage of work, it can be stated that the results obtained by laser vibrometry methods should be treated as a supplement to the research conducted with traditional piezoelectric accelerometers. In certain situations, they can be used as an alternative to accelerometers, due to the fact that laser sensors do not require direct contact with the examined object. Where the object under test may be in a strong electromagnetic field, optical sensors are better suited than contact sensors.

scholarly journals Developing an Enhanced Short-Range Railroad Track Condition Prediction Model for Optimal Maintenance Scheduling

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Xu ◽  
Chuanjun Jia ◽  
Ye Li ◽  
Quanxin Sun ◽  
Rengkui Liu
Keyword(s):  
Prediction Model ◽  
Short Range ◽  
Prediction Method ◽  
Maintenance Scheduling ◽  
Railroad Track ◽  
Track Geometry ◽  
Track Maintenance ◽  
Track Condition ◽  
Optimal Maintenance ◽  
Process Work

As railroad infrastructure becomes older and older and rail transportation is developing towards higher speed and heavier axle, the risk to safe rail transport and the expenses for railroad maintenance are increasing. The railroad infrastructure deterioration (prediction) model is vital to reducing the risk and the expenses. A short-range track condition prediction method was developed in our previous research on railroad track deterioration analysis. It is intended to provide track maintenance managers with two or three months of track condition in advance to schedule track maintenance activities more smartly. Recent comparison analyses on track geometrical exceptions calculated from track condition measured with track geometry cars and those predicted by the method showed that the method fails to provide reliable condition for some analysis sections. This paper presented the enhancement to the method. One year of track geometry data for the Jiulong-Beijing railroad from track geometry cars was used to conduct error analyses and comparison analyses. Analysis results imply that the enhanced model is robust to make reliable predictions. Our in-process work on applying those predicted conditions for optimal track maintenance scheduling is discussed in brief as well.

Railway track irregularity and curvature estimation using doppler LIDAR fiber optics

2016 ◽  
Vol 232 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masood Taheri Andani ◽  
Andrew Peterson ◽  
Josh Munoz ◽  
Mehdi Ahmadian
Keyword(s):  
Fiber Optics ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Railway Track ◽  
Vehicle Speed ◽  
Doppler Lidar ◽  
Close Match ◽  
Track Geometry ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Curvature Estimation ◽  
Geometry Measurement

The application of Doppler-based LIght Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology for determining track curvature and lateral irregularities, including alignment and gage variation, are investigated. The proposed method uses track measurements by two low-elevation, slightly tilted LIDAR sensors nominally pointed at the rail gage face on each track. The Doppler LIDAR lenses are installed with a slight forward angle to measure track speed in both longitudinal and lateral directions. The lateral speed measurements are processed for assessing the track gage and alignment variations, using a method that is based on the frequency bandwidth dissimilarities between the vehicle speed and track geometry irregularity. Using the results from an extensive series of tests with a body-mounted Doppler LIDAR system on-board a track geometry measurement railcar, the study indicates a close match between the LIDAR measurements and those made with existing sensors on-board the railcar. The field testing conducted during this study indicates that LIDAR sensors could provide a reliable, non-contact track monitoring instrument for field use in various weather and track conditions, potentially in a semi-autonomous or autonomous manner.

Maintaining Technical Integrity of Petroleum Flowlines on Offshore Installations: A Decision Support System for Inspection Planning

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Chandima Ratnayake ◽  
Tore Markeset
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Formal Model ◽  
Technical Condition ◽  
Inspection Planning ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Plant Strategy ◽  
The North ◽  
Critical Components ◽  
Inspection Data

Oil and Gas (O&G) platforms in the North Sea are facing aging problems as many of the installations have matured and are approaching their design lifetime. Flowlines are used to transport oil and gas well stream from the wellhead to the production manifold. They are categorised as one of the most critical components on a production facility. Flowline degradation takes place due to corrosion and erosion. The deterioration of a flowline may increase the risk of leakages, ruptures, etc., which shall lead to serious HSE (health, safety and environmental) and financial consequences. Any such risks have a direct impact on the O&G installation’s technical integrity as well as the operator’s sustainability concerns. Conventionally, pipelines are designed with safety provisions to provide a theoretical minimum failure rate over the life span. Furthermore, to reduce the risk of failure various techniques are routinely used to monitor the status of pipelines during the operation phase. The existing methods of flowline health monitoring planning requires one to take into consideration the operator’s plant strategy, flowline degradation mechanisms, historical data, etc. A technical condition report is made based on findings’ reports and degradation trends. This report recommends the inspection of a number of points on the flowlines in a certain year using non-destructive evaluation methods such as visual inspection, ultrasonic testing, radiographic testing, etc. Based on the technical condition report, in general for a certain preventive maintenance shutdown, 10 to 15 flowline inspection openings are accommodated as finance, time and resource availability are taken into consideration. However, it is customary to plan to open more locations in a certain inspection package than can be inspected and minimization of such points is at present done on an ad hoc basis. This paper suggests a formal model and a framework to formally minimize the number of visual inspections by executing the plant strategy as well as HSE concerns. The model is derived using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) framework, which is a multi-criteria decision-making approach. The model is developed based on literature, industrial practice, experience as well as real inspection data from a mature offshore O&G installation located on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Optimizing Tamper Efficiency Through the Integration of Inertial Based Track Geometry Measurement

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph W. Palese ◽  
Sergio DiVentura ◽  
Ken Hill ◽  
Peter Maurice
Keyword(s):  
Time Perspective ◽  
Cloud Service ◽  
New Method ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Track Geometry ◽  
Track Maintenance ◽  
Measurement Systems ◽  
Recorded Data ◽  
Available Technology ◽  
Geometry Measurement

Maintaining track geometry is key to the safe and efficient operations of a railroad. Failure to properly maintain geometry can lead to costly track structure failures or even more costly derailments. Currently, there exists a number of different methods for measuring track geometry and then if required, maintaining the track to return track geometry to specified levels of acceptance. Because of this need to have proper track geometry, tampers are one of the most common pieces of maintenance equipment in a railroad operation’s fleet. It is therefore paramount from both a cost and track time perspective to gain maximum efficiency from any one particular tamper. Track geometry is typically measured through a variety of contact and non-contact measurement systems which can mount on a variety of different platforms. With respect to a tamper, a push buggy projector system is typically used to measure track geometry, utilizing the tamper body as the basis for the reference system, Track geometry can be measured utilizing this technology during a prerecording run. Then, the software onboard the tamper analyzes the recorded data to determine the best fit and calculate throws that achieve a better track alignment, particularly in curves. During the tamping operation, the tamper buggy system and frame adjust the track. Due to its design, track geometry measurements can only be made at low speed (roughly 4mph) which can severely affect the efficiency of the tamper. To help decrease pre maintenance inspection times, an inertial based track geometry measurement system has been developed and integrated into the tamper’s operating software. This system can mount directly to the frame of a tamper and operate at hy-rail to very low speeds. Measurements made can be fed directly into the tamper control system to guide where and how track geometry adjustments need to be made. In addition, the capability to collect data during travel mode without the buggies extended allows for the collection of data at any time. Thus, data can be recorded when traveling back and forth to a stabling location, before and/or after grinding. This allows for synchronization of data at a later time to utilize for adjusting the track. Also, data can be collected post-work to allow for the comparison of pre and post geometry to allow for the determination of the effectiveness of a given tamping operation. Tampers equipped with this track geometry system facilitate the foundation for an enterprise solution. Data that is measured and collected can be sent to a cloud service, in real time that will provide exception reports, health status, and rail health trend analyses. Utilizing the available technology further optimizes response time in track maintenance. This paper will introduce this new method of mounting and completely integrating an inertial based track geometry system onto a tamper. In addition, studies will be presented which confirm the ability of this system to replicate the tamper’s projection based track geometry system. Finally, a comprehensive study on efficiency gains will be presented directly comparing a standard method of maintaining a segment via a tamper to this new method of using onboard inertial track geometry measurement.

scholarly journals Technical requirements for acceptance of works on track

Tehnika ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-444
Author(s):  
Zdenka Popović ◽  
Luka Lazarević ◽  
Milica Mićić ◽  
Nikola Mirković
Keyword(s):  
Legal Framework ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
European Standard ◽  
Track Geometry ◽  
Technical Requirements ◽  
National Technical ◽  
Track Condition ◽  
Measurement Results ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Technical Regulations

This paper presents technical requirements for acceptance of track works according to European standard EN 13231-1, which was adopted as Serbian standard in 2014. The standard applies to track with standard gauge (1435 mm) layed in ballast bed. Requirements for acceptance of works should be applied for laying of the new track, as well as for reconstruction, renewal and maintenance of the existing track. Paper points out that, despite of established legal framework in the Republic of Serbia, national technical regulations are still not harmonised with the requirements of the standard. The special importance is drawn to establishment of the procedures for measuring the relevant parameters and controling the track condition, as well as procedures for documenting measurement results and performed controls. In addition, paper shows prescribed tolerances for track geometry parameters and track superstructure elements according to EN 13321-1. Acceptance deadline has special importance and it should be defined in the contract between Infrastructure Manager and Contractor.

Bridge Inspection and Management System Based on Smart Phone

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanbing Ding ◽  
Ruicong Han ◽  
Hao Liu ◽  
Shengyuan Li ◽  
Xuefeng Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Mobile Network ◽  
Technical Condition ◽  
Bridge Inspection ◽  
Condition Rating ◽  
Inspection Process ◽  
Inspection Work ◽  
Inspection Data ◽  
User Friendly

For the traditional inspection methods, the visual inspection data is firstly recorded on the inspection forms and then input manually into computer, which is inefficient and creates errors frequently. This research aims at establishing a smartphone-based bridge inspection and management system that can avoid such inputting errors and facilitate the bridge inspection process. The system enables the inspector to complete the inspection information collection in a portable smart phone. The site photos that related to the investigated structures can be easily added and edited during the inspection work with the help of the smart phone. After the investigation, the inspection report and the technical condition rating of the inspected bridge can be automatically generated. The collected data and the GPS information can be uploaded to the terminal server directly via the mobile network. The interface of the mobile software is user-friendly and easy operation, which provides an opportunity for the public to take part in the bridge inspection work, especially for the bridges in rural and mountainous areas. Then, this paper puts forward the relevant ideas on public participation in bridges’ emergency assessment and disposal after the disaster, which can provide data support for the decision-making and disaster relief work.

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