Rapid Detection of Track Changes from Onboard Data Acquisition Records: Year 2

Spurred by the findings of the current effort, the objective of this research project is to continue with the development of the simple yet efficient track stiffness assessment system, proposed in Year 1. The proposed system can quickly estimate both the lateral and the vertical track stiffness and detect stiffness changes in space and time. The proposed system uses track geometry data and vehicle response data collected from instrumentation already onboard railroad inspection cars or locomotives (e.g. DOTX220, DOTX216). The acquired measurements are processed through the innovative Rapid Vehicle-Track Interaction (R-VTI) calculator developed by the PI to calculate the track stiffness while the vehicle is moving at its normal operation speed along the track. Furthermore, it integrates the novel technique developed in Year 1 that is based on the frequency shift curve (FSC) framework to identify stiffness changes in the track, including loose or missing fasteners, damaged ballast, broken sleepers, etc. This method leverages the complementary strengths of wavelet packet analysis and the Hilbert-Huang transform for signal processing. The proposed approach facilitates continuous track stiffness assessment along the network in space and time. In addition, it provides the real track stiffness values as vehicles move on top of the loaded track. The proposed technology applies to: (1) real-time monitoring and detection, (2) on-demand real-time monitoring of high-risk areas, and (3) accident investigation to identify possible contributing track conditions. It is noted that the proposed system simply makes better use of existing data already being collected and does not require any additional instrumentation in the track.

• Record URL:
  https://www.utrgv.edu/railwaysafety/_files/documents/research/infrastructure/exhibit-d_utcrs_usc_track_stiffness_detection_rizos_2024.pdf

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $95910
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348340

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  University of South Carolina, Columbia

  502 Byrnes Building
  Columbia, SC  United States  29208
• Managing Organizations:

  University of South Carolina, Columbia

  502 Byrnes Building
  Columbia, SC  United States  29208
• Project Managers:

  Stearns, Amy

• Performing Organizations:

  University of South Carolina, Columbia

  502 Byrnes Building
  Columbia, SC  United States  29208
• Principal Investigators:

  Rizos, Dimitris

  Qian, Yu

• Start Date: 20240601
• Expected Completion Date: 20250831
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Detection and identification systems; Inspection; Railroad safety; Railroad tracks; Stiffness
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01924844
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: University Transportation Center for Railway Safety
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348340
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 22 2024 7:42AM