FOS provides valuable data for sustainable asset management

Infrastructure Condition Monitoring

For the assessment of railway tracks, infrastructure managers use various measurement and evaluation methods, such as track-recording vehicles, sensors and manual inspections, providing them with information on condition with varying degrees of data quality and quantity... 

For the assessment of railway tracks, infrastructure managers use various measurement and evaluation methods, such as track-recording vehicles, sensors and manual inspections, providing them with information on condition with varying degrees of data quality and quantity. However, none of the actual used monitoring and measurement methods provide a continuous and comprehensive monitoring of railway infrastructure and rolling stock. For this reason, the Institute of Railway Engineering and Transport Economy at Graz University of Technology examined within a 3-year project in close cooperation with SBB the potential of Distributed Acoustic Sensing for track asset management. 

During this period several maintenance tasks, such as tamping and grinding, were recorded and analysed. It turned out, that FOS is not only capable of distinguishing between different types of work. It also enables for an assessment of carried out maintenance tasks and recording of decisive maintenance parameters. Furthermore, as the signal pattern changes due to an assets condition, FOS enables for condition monitoring of railway tracks and turnouts. Time series analyses revealed the enormous potential of this monitoring technology for both holistic and permanent condition monitoring and condition assessment of the railway infrastructure and provides valuable data for sustainable asset management of the railway infrastructure. 

Author: Iva Vidovic, TU Graz