The View from Below

This article will discuss how manufacturers have successfully used machine vision for many years. Applications of the technology in the railroad environment have begun to show promise in aiding in the inspection of railcars. The article describes how a contractor is working to develop and test a machine vision based system that can inspect the undercarriage of a railcar under the direction of the Association of American Railroads (AAR). This area of the railcar is typically very difficult and time consuming to inspect. It also requires inspectors to place themselves in precarious positions to perform proper inspections. Undetected undercarriage defects provide the potential for derailments or other serious accidents. Using an array of high-speed cameras and lights, the contractor is intended to provide detailed images of the railcar undercarriage as the train passes at track speed. Algorithms will then identify the components of interest and assess their condition. Alerts will be sent out automatically to the appropriate locations when a defect is detected.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1586268
• Authors:
  • Robeda, Jim
  • Kalay, Semih
• Publication Date: 2012-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 62, 64
• Serial:
  • Railway Age
  • Volume: 213
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0033-8826
  • Serial URL: http://www.railwayage.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cameras; Defects; Derailments; Detection and identification; Inspection; Machine vision; Railroad cars; Railroad safety
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; I60: Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01449763
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 22 2012 9:14AM