Automated Track Geometry Monitoring System

This study will develop, implement, and evaluate an autonomous track geometry monitoring system to screen the network for faults during normal train operations. The technology performance will depend on the specific implementation and deployment options selected. Therefore, automatic data collection and recording devices will be necessary to gather motion, location, and speed data to evaluate the performance of various system implementation options. Initial data collection will begin with a smartphone that has all of the required sensors. The PIs will develop a smartphone application that will be capable of autonomously collecting and uploading data from hi-rail vehicles, geometry cars, locomotives, and end-of-train cars where power is available. The technology transfer phase will inform commercialization partners about the best approaches to develop a lower-cost and self-sufficient version of the sensor system deployed during the research. This research project will focus on developing the signal processing and machine learning algorithms and models that will transform the on-board sensor data into track geometry equivalents. The research team will also develop a reporting and mapping system to provide decision-makers with a data visualization tool.

Record URL:

Language

English

Project

Status: Active
Funding: $198302
Contract Numbers:
69A3551747108
Sponsor Organizations:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590
Project Managers:
Kline, Robin
Performing Organizations:
Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute

1320 Albrecht Blvd.
Fargo, ND United States 58102
Principal Investigators:
Lu, Pan

Bridgelall, Raj

Tolliver, Denver
Start Date: 20171204
Expected Completion Date: 20220731
Actual Completion Date: 0
Source Data: MPC-551

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Algorithms; Data collection; Flaw detection; Maintenance of way; Mobile applications; Monitoring; Railroad tracks; Sensors; Smartphones
Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 01656109
Record Type: Research project
Source Agency: Mountain-Plains Consortium
Contract Numbers: 69A3551747108
Files: UTC, RiP
Created Date: Jan 2 2018 10:18AM