Laboratory and Field Testing of an Impact-Driven Multi-Resonant Energy Harvester for Electrical Power Generation in Rail-Track Systems – Phase II, Year 2

Reliable power sources are often unavailable across much of the rail network, hindering the deployment of essential sensors and condition monitoring systems needed for real-time infrastructure assessment and safety. This research builds upon the first year of Phase 2, where the theoretical foundation and initial design of a Multi-Resonant Impact-Driven Energy Harvester (MRIDEH) were developed. The harvester employs an impact-driven mechanism and multiple resonators tuned to the dominant vibration frequencies of the rail track system under a moving train load to enhance electromechanical coupling and broaden its operational bandwidth. While the earlier phase focused on analytical modeling and theoretical investigations, the current work transitions the concept into a functional prototype through design refinement, fabrication, and experimental validation. The proposed research will focus on (1) optimizing the harvester’s design parameters to maximize power output through systematic parametric studies, (2) fabricating a prototype incorporating the optimized design, (3) conducting comprehensive laboratory testing, including integration with an energy storage circuit for power management evaluation, and (4) conducting field tests under actual rail traffic conditions to assess performance and feasibility. The outcomes of this work will provide essential experimental evidence to confirm the practical performance of the MRIDEH system. This validation will demonstrate its ability to generate reliable electrical power from train-induced vibrations, supporting its use as a self-sustaining energy source. The findings will help advance the development of a scalable and low-cost solution that can be deployed across various segments of the rail network to power sensors and monitoring devices which are critical for improving the safety, reliability, and efficiency of rail operations by collecting real-time data on train movements and track conditions.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.utrgv.edu/railwaysafety/research/mechanical/index.htm
• Supplemental Notes:
  • The Rio Valley Switching Company (RVSC) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are partners for this project.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $114,256.00
• 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 Texas Rio Grande Valley

  1201 W. University Dr
  Edinburg, TX  United States  78539
• Managing Organizations:

  University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

  1201 W. University Dr
  Edinburg, TX  United States  78539
• Project Managers:

  Stearns, Amy

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

  1201 W. University Dr
  Edinburg, TX  United States  78539
• Principal Investigators:

  Amjadian, Mohsen

  Tarawneh, Constantine

• Start Date: 20250601
• Expected Completion Date: 20260831
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electric generators; Electromagnetic devices; Energy conversion; Power converters; Railroad safety
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01960669
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: University Transportation Center for Railway Safety
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348340
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 14 2025 6:56PM