SmartPlug – Rail Force Monitoring System

Managing the longitudinal forces in continuous welded rail (CWR) track is an important safety concern for both operating railroads in the industry, and regulatory governmental agencies, such as the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The costs to the industry include: (1) maintenance to prevent track failure due to thermal effects of CWR track; (2) increased track inspection/heat patrols during periods of high temperature; (3) reduction in revenue traffic due to slow orders during periods of high temperature; (4) costs of track failure and derailment such as: (a) repair of track and affected infrastructure, (b) repair or replacement of locomotives and freight cars, (c) damage/liability to property abutting railroad right-of-way, and (d) injury and death of people involved in an accident. Implementation of the SmartPlug system, which monitors CWR stability under variable rail traffic and temperature conditions, will reduce costs and risks associated with rail forces in CWR track. The recent development of the long-range communication system adds value to the system. For example, as heavy freight corridors transition to Positive Train Control (PTC), effective and real-time monitoring of rail breaks in signaled track will diminish. SmartPlug sensors will not provide the comprehensive coverage of signaled track for rail break/discontinuity, but will offer a means for monitoring general track status over large distances. Also, many sensor systems are currently in place to monitor data, such as the previously mentioned grade crossing gate status. These systems can be retrofitted to connect into the communications system of the SmartPlug daisy chain for remote access. Production and testing of the recent developments are currently ongoing. Demonstration of the system is scheduled for this year in an active heavy freight railroad corridor.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Public Transportation Association

  1666 K Street, NW, Suite 1100
  Washington, DC  United States  20006
• Authors:
  • Kidd, W John
  • Prahl, Fred
  • Zaouk, Abdullatif
• Conference:
  • 2011 American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Rail Conference
  • Location: Boston MA, United States
  • Date: 2011-6-12 to 2011-6-15
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: 7p
• Monograph Title: APTA Rail Conference 2011 Proceedings

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Continuous welded rail; Monitoring; Positive train control; Railroad tracks; Real time information; Remote sensing; Sensors; Temperature
• Uncontrolled Terms: Longitudinal forces
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01357524
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 29 2011 1:43PM