GUIDED RADAR FOR RAILWAY OBSTACLE DETECTION

This report describes experimental work performed at Queen's University to evaluate the application of a Guided Radar Information Processing System for detecting earthslides, mudslides, rockslides and other obstacles on a railway track. It was demonstrated that the technique is feasible for the detection of small rock obstacles, and extrapolated data indicates that the system will be effective for other obstacles as well. Experiments conducted with the Guided Radar System demonstrated that rock obstacles can be detected using a continuous wave mode, with its simplicity of both hardware and software. Rocks of diameter greater than 25 cm were detected with the system. Human and animal targets were also detected, the latter case giving rise to the possibility of nuisance alarms. Experiments showed that sensitivity decreased with distance down the cable due to attenuation, and it is recommended that a graded cable be employed to circumvent this problem. Future work suggested for an operational system would be an investigation of the effects of mud and earth slides on the system, environmental effects on sensitivity, an investigation of an optimum frequency of operation, and the type of cable used, their position on the rail bed and their length. It was also recommended that future investigations be conducted in an operational environment to enable a realistic comparison with contemporary techniques. It is concluded from this program that the guided radar technique is feasible in a track obstacle detection application. There are a number of advantages appropriate to the railway environment which lend themselves to simplicity of operation and to greater rail safety.

• Corporate Authors:

  Canadian Institute of Guided Ground Transport

  Queen's University
  Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6,   Canada 
• Authors:
  • Mackay, N A
  • Benjamin, A
• Publication Date: 1977-11

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 25 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Coaxial cables; Navigation systems; Proximity detectors; Radar; Safety; Waveguides
• Old TRIS Terms: Guided radars
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00176664
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Canadian Institute of Guided Ground Transport
• Report/Paper Numbers: CIGGT-78-3 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1978 12:00AM