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    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
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    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
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      <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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      <title>Design and Operational Assessment of a Mobile Robot for Undercarriage Inspection of Railcars</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2446877</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research assesses the design and track operation of a track crawler robot (TCR) for practical and easy inspection of stationary railcars’ undercarriages in an effort to detect any pending failures or assess any security risk of out-of-sight objects. The research leverages against a robot available at the Railway Technologies Laboratory (RTL) of Virginia Tech and offers improvements to the structure, drive system, imaging devices, and operator remote control to improve the speed, track maneuverability, and duty cycle of the robot.

The TCR includes a drive system consisting of two AC motors that operate a track (like tank tracks). It further includes two GoPro® cameras, light system, and onboard power for approximately one hour of maximum power operation. The details of the TCR design are introduced through its operational requirements, which guided its initial design. The specific design configurations are used to derive the applicable parameters essential for track operation of the robot. The TCR’s subsystems are evaluated individually to assess their strengths and weaknesses, which are then used to guide the specific tasks in improving the overall system’s performance.  The details of the required modifications are included for the imaging, lighting, control, frame structure, and mobility subsystems.  

For each subsystem, test results are used to engineer workable solutions for overcoming the shortcomings or implementing additional functionality. The redesigned system is further evaluated through testing to assess the improvements due to modifications.  Beyond laboratory tests, a final assessment of the system was done on a branch line and mainline track, both with great success.  

The recorded images and operational evaluation of the TCR prove it to be a valuable inspection tool for the railroads to inspect out-of-sight undercarriage components of stationary trains in a railyard or siding, to identify any failed or nearly-failed equipment before they develop into a major or out-of-compliance issue. The TCR also promises to be useful for security agencies to easily and efficiently inspect trains entering secured areas to uncover any suspicious devices.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 Oct 2024 15:28:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2446877</guid>
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      <title>LNG and LPG Railcar Testing with FRA (Purchase and test an LPG railcar and new 113 railcar)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2067997</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will conduct puncture testing on railcars authorized for the carriage and transport of LNG.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2022 16:26:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2067997</guid>
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      <title>Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Enhanced Covid-19 Rail Car Air Filtration and Air Purification Research Demonstration</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2067957</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The project will test and evaluate the effectiveness of enhanced air filtration (MERV-13) and purification (UVC disinfection) technologies on railcars in revenue service.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2022 16:26:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2067957</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Successful Practices in Railcar Maintenance</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1233968</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will identify rail transit agencies with effective, best-practice railcar maintenance processes based on agency data regarding on-time performance, safety record, and mean-time-between-failures data. The project will evaluate railcar maintenance plans and processes and document the practices, methods and procedures that lead to highly-effective railcar maintenance. It will also develop statistical models and analysis approaches that transit agencies can use to transition to more performance-based management approaches. It will summarize performance metrics and methodologies used to evaluate operations and maintenance plan alternatives. The research products will provide guidance, examples of tools, case studies, and training materials that demonstrate best practices. A final report will identify methods to improve rail maintenance practices and offer guidance on how to make existing practices more effective.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:04:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1233968</guid>
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