Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis - the Transit IDEA Program. J-Magnetic Rail Movement Measuring Device (MRMMD) for Rail Safety

This project developed a Magnetic Rail Movement Measuring Device (MRMMD) that improves railway safety and maintenance by enabling early detection and timely alerts to mitigate derailments, track damage and costly repairs. Under full dynamic loads, this portable device measures true rail temperature, track bed temperature, ambient temperature, lateral and vertical movements, and superelevation in real-time using specialized sensors. It features a cloud-based data communication system that relays sensor data to a dashboard or smart devices, facilitating real-time warnings and preventive actions. Unlike existing methods, the MRMMD tracks key data points based on actual dynamic loads and temperatures. Magnetically attached to the rail, the MRMMD operates in several modes, including an automatic mode that activates upon train approach to measure and record horizontal rail push, vertical track pumping, superelevation, and rail temperature. The device sends alerts when preset tolerances are reached and allows data to be accessed remotely via Bluetooth and cloud connectivity. Twenty prototypes of the MRMMD were developed and tested successfully with major rail and transit agencies, demonstrating the system's feasibility.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5459
• Supplemental Notes:
  • The Final Report is available. 

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $100000
• Contract Numbers:

  J-04/IDEA 102

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA)

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Transit Cooperative Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001
• Project Managers:

  Jawed, Inam

• Performing Organizations:

  PB Innovations

  Bluffton, South Carolina   
• Principal Investigators:

  Bartek, Peter

• Start Date: 20230509
• Expected Completion Date: 20240930
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data communications; Magnetic properties; Measuring instruments; Portable equipment; Railroad safety; Railroad tracks; Temperature; Thermal degradation
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01875514
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: J-04/IDEA 102
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Mar 13 2023 4:27PM