ETR – Eisenbahntechnische Rundschau | Ausgabe International/2017
Real-time track monitoring for sustainable maintenance strategies
The monitoring of train and infrastructure components is a fundamental task for railway operators. Highly specialised devices make it possible to monitor rails as well as vehicle and track components, but they are generally in one fixed location. With the introduction of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) to the railway industry, Frauscher is creating new possibilities for this particular application. Some of these possibilities have already been tested, while others are still to be developed; they are the subject of this contribution.
1. MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING JOBS ON THE RAILWAY
Compliance with the prescribed maintenance cycles and the scheduled performance of maintenance jobs form the basis for safe, trouble-free railway operations. To achieve that, it is also necessary to detect and correct any damage that occurs unexpectedly. There could be many different causes. Flat wheels, for instance, cause an increase in the mechanical loads acting on the track.