State-of-the-Art Technologies for Intrusion and Obstacle Detection for Railroad Operations

This report provides an update on the state-of-the-art technologies with intrusion and obstacle detection capabilities for rail rights of way (ROW) and crossings. A workshop entitled Intruder and Obstacle Detection Systems (IODS) for Railroads Requirements was held in 1998, and the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center published the proceedings in 2001. A suite of possible alternative detection technology systems were then field-tested; the results were published in 2003. A host of novel approaches to detection involving existing and emerging technologies have since appeared. This report identifies these new non-track circuit based approaches and methods of identifying obstacles and intruders on the ROW and at crossings. The results obtained from this analysis provide a technology update for the Federal Railroad Administration, as well as recommend potential technology concepts for future field testing. The application of intrusion and obstacle detection or remote sensing technologies would serve to improve the safety of rail passengers and road users, as well as protect the general population and environment from the risks associated with hazmat shipments, and aid in the relief of congestion by reducing the number of incidents and delays due to those incidents.

• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8853
• Corporate Authors:

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Federal Railroad Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • daSilva, Marco P
  • Baron, William
• Publication Date: 2007-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 44p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Hazardous materials; Incident detection; Railroad tracks; Railroad transportation; Remote sensing; State of the art; Technology
• Uncontrolled Terms: Intrusion detection; Obstacle detectors; Railroad incidents; Railroad operations; Right of way
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01055652
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/FRA/ORD-07/06, DOT-VNTSC-FRA-07-04
• Contract Numbers: RR97/CB071
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 20 2007 11:51AM