Application of Forward Looking Infrared Radiometer (FLIR) Technology for Detecting Early Stages of Fouled Ballast

The feasibility and limitations of Forward Looking Infrared Radiometer (FLIR) Aerial Technology for detecting fouled ballasts is studied in this project. The method is intended to provide an efficient and ready-to-use approach that can help the railroads detect fouled ballasts in their early stages. Ballast fouling commonly occurs as a result of fine particles clogging off water passage through them. Subsequently, this results in trapped water that often results in poor foundation strength, rotting of the ties, and other ill effects. This study includes a novel approach to evaluate the railway ballast fouling by using thermal imaging techniques. A simple setup for implementing ballast fouling of different amounts have been implemented in the lab. For the purpose of laboratory testing, the camera is set up in stationary and moving configurations. The thermal characteristics of clean and fouled ballasts are studied using FLIR cameras that can be used onboard rolling stock, Hyrail trucks, or drones. Laboratory tests are primarily performed to measure the surface temperature changing rate of clean and fouled ballasts in response to ambient temperature changes. The test results indicate that clean and fouled ballasts have different thermal characteristics. In particular, different thermal patterns are obtained during naturally-occurring daily temperature change. The test results also indicate that the FLIR cameras can be used on a moving platform for quick scanning of thermal images of the ballasts that could be used for assessing the early stage of fouling.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $270000
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747132

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg

  Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
  3500 Transportation Research Plaza
  Blacksburg, VA  United States  24061
• Project Managers:

  Ahmedian, Mehdi

• Performing Organizations:

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg

  Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
  3500 Transportation Research Plaza
  Blacksburg, VA  United States  24061
• Principal Investigators:

  Ahmedian, Mehdi

• Start Date: 20180101
• Expected Completion Date: 20231231
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Ballast (Railroads); Detection and identification technologies; Feasibility analysis; Infrared detectors; Laboratory tests; Radiometers; Thermal imagery
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01703224
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: University Transportation Center on Improving Rail Transportation Infrastructure Sustainability and Durability
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747132
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Apr 27 2019 7:11PM