AUTOMATIC RAILROAD TRACK INSPECTION

A technical survey of the automated stationary and mobile track test train systems to date is presented. The use and availability of sensors is also reviewed. A method of in-situ excitation in conjunction with a radio interrogation coupled to existing railway communication system is discussed. The automatic inspection system proposed here is limited to the track bed and the rails. The rails are tested for any fissures and flaws and not for the cross-over error and misalignment although these are invariably also caused by the settling of the track bed. The major features of this system are the real-time segment interrogation system and track sensors. The problem of selective random-spacing deployment to cover maximum optimum segment is also discussed. The need for the railroad industry to expand their efforts in the area of development of automatic track and track bed inspection is shown to be highly desirable as well as economical from an operational stand point.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was recommended by the IEEE Land Transportation Committee of the IEEE Industry Applications Society for presentation at the 1973 Joint ASME/IEEE Railroad Conference, St. Louis, Mo., April 11-12, 1973. The price is $1.35 for members.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

  3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5997
• Authors:
  • Hayre, H S
• Publication Date: 1973-1

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 7 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cracking; Defects; Inspection; Railroad rails
• Old TRIS Terms: Rail fissures; Rail inspection
• Subject Areas: Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00044314
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Paper C73924-8-IA
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 15 1976 12:00AM