Real-Time Autonomous Track Geometry Measurement System (ATGMS)

Track Integrity

Track failures or induced derailments represent approximately 50% of all train accidents. The majority of track integrity issues are related to the track geometry or gauge distortion while the remaining are due alignment, buckled track, and sub-soil erosion. AVANTE’s Autonomous Track Geometry Measurement System(ATGMS) provides a way to point out existing defects along the rail line in real-time and directly under the locomotive.

The gauge widening mechanism is usually gradual and relatively slow, but if it is undetected, the final failure often takes place under the effect of some additional factor, such as excess speed, poorly maintained running gear on a vehicle, misaligned rails, and extreme traction effects (such as high propelling forces). The crabbing effect referred to above is more marked in dry conditions, when the coefficient of friction at the wheel to rail interface is high. France experienced it’s worst rail crash in over a quarter of a century back in July of 2013. The cause of the accident was found out to be due to a loose connector on the tracks. Using a system such as AVANTE’s ATGMS would help to circumvent future accidents such as this.

Track Geometry
Minor track distortion depicted in the above image may not cause derailment in most cases. However, the trend and rate of increasing distortion such as gage widening, track canting, buckling, twisting distortion, and other distortion will eventually get to a state to cause accidents before the next inspection and/or maintenance.
Train Derailments
While sudden drastic natural disaster may not be prevented, in most cases, derailments are caused by gradually track degradation. With daily and routine track geometry data compared with days before helps to provide preventive maintenance rather than ad hoc process. Some of the weather induced erosion may also become predictable with the rate of the distortion being monitored and reported automatically. Derailment such as these depicted above may be prevented if the rate of track degradation is quantified.

Direct Mounting Underneath the Locomotive for Real-Time Measurements

AVANTE’s Autonomous Track Geometry Measurement System is designed to mount onto the train engine, make measurements, and communicate geo-tagged data in real-time for actionable corrections whenever needed. The ATGMS also helps in providing trend and rate of change data for timely maintenance. Once mounted, the ATGMS senses the track rail and reports all relevant data continuously. The system runs while the train is in motion to capture data along the whole length of the rail line while providing zero downtime.

AVANTE’s ATGMS generates close to real-time alerts to the monitoring center and oncoming trains. This is a part of our many patented and patent-pending technologies in providing total visibility to the rail operations for safety and ensuring normal, efficient daily services.

ATGMS’s real-time and real-live data provides the trend and rate of degradation, which can coupled with real-time imaging data from AVANTE’s Track Integrity Monitoring System (TIMS) to provide powerful preventative maintenance before accidents.

AVANTE’s ATGMS reports the track gauge, buckling, and vibration data of the rail track in real-time to provide trend and predictive maintenance.
Besides track geometry, AVANTE’s ATGMS also reports real-time and live geo-tagged temperature of the track for track twisting prevention in extreme temperature summer conditions.

The above image shows how the ATGMS has a small profile for direct mounting underneath the locomotive or engine of all trains. The ATGMS features two measurement units: one for the left rail and one for the right rail. The dimension for each unit is around 10.8-inch (274mm) in height, 15.8-inch (401mm) length, and 21.9-inch (555mm) width for ease of mounting underneath any train engine block.

The representation above demonstrates the digital data that are measured by AVANTE’s ATGMS in real-time while the train engine is running on a track. Rail gauge is measured to 0.1 mm accuracy in real-time. The shock-vibration, tilt-canting and other track defects are measured by the IMU sensor unit in documentation of the track condition besides the track gauge. The track temperature is also measured in real-time and useful when extreme temperatures are expected.

TIMS (Track Integrity Monitoring System) with ATGMS

Besides AVANTE’s ATGMS, AVANTE’s Track Integrity Monitoring System (TIMS) also includes a patent-pending monitoring system that geo-tags the track and fastener defects using AI pattern recognition based imaging technology with integrated defect detection sensors. Every time a train utilizes a track, the track and fasteners are compared to geotagged images for fasteners and tracks to detect defects. Buckled, dip and twist track and other track irregularities are detected by the integrated sensors.

TIMS and ATGMS

AVANTE’s Autonomous Track Geometry Measurement System (ATGMS) and Track Integrity Monitoring System (TIMS) are both low profile and can fit underneath the train engine at locations as illustrated above

AVANTE’s ATGMS measures the quantitative gauge, tilt, canting, shock-vibration, and temperature of the track every time a train runs on a specific track. Track gauge widening may be caused by a variety of rail track defects. The real-time geotagged images taken by the complementary system of AVANTE’s Track Integrity Monitoring System (TIMS) helps to provide the virtual onsite inspection without actually traveling to the locations. Broken or missing fasteners on the track are the typical cause.

Both AVANTE’s ATGMS and TIMS are in IP-67 waterproof sealed enclosures.
The optical-laser components are protected with glass for ease in cleaning.
Geo-tagged exception data are communicated in real-time.

Improved Rail Transport Safety / Efficiency

AVANTE’s TIMS (Track Integrity Monitoring System) is best working in conjunction with ATGMS (Autonomous Track Geometry Measurement System). Both are designed to mount onto the train engines to measure, image monitor, and communicate geotagged exception data in real-time for actionable corrections whenever needed and for providing trend and rate of change for timely maintenance.
Real-time reporting of exceptions for emergency repairs and trend of track degradation allows for timely preventive maintenance. These are keys for safe and efficient freight and passenger transport.

Train on tracks

Safe and efficient freight and passenger transport are important part of the economy. AVANTE’s ATGMS and TIMS are designed to provide preventive maintenance and thus safe and efficient operations.

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