Inspirations
AUGUST 2014
The Latest in Asset Protection and Condition Monitoring
Train Length Monitoring
Inspired Systems was recently challenged to supply a Train Length
Monitoring System that accurately measures lengths or the number of
cars in one train to ensure that trains would fit into sidings and passing
loops, as well as ensuring no over length trains are on a single track.
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The goal of the system is to provide an accurate count of the
number of rail vehicles through a certain section of line. The system
will be able to determine if the vehicles are locomotives or rail cars
In This Issue
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Train Length Monitoring
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Unmanned Inspection System
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Heavy Haul Rail Conference:
Newcastle 2014
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Wagons with tags were to be measured within approximately 10cm
lengths (tags record in decimetres, so this is 1 unit)
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Wagons with no tags were to be accurate to within approximately 50cm length
per wagon, aggregating to approximately 1% error across a rake, and a maximum
of 2% expected error across any given rake, subject to acceleration/deceleration
curves
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An offset was to be used for vehicles with no tags on the first or last vehicle, to
accommodate the length of the wagon overhanging the first or last axle. This was
derived as half the gap between the previous/next vehicle
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The system was to send information via a Next G modem to Train Control or other
defined point of contact
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The system would also allow for local radio announcements to the train driver.
Inspired Systems were to provide a complete turnkey solution:
Inspired Systems opted for a simple and robust system that could easily be
deployed in remote locations. The solution included a wheel switch (axle counter)
and a Transcore Smartpass AEI Tag Reader plus their TIE processing unit to identify
vehicles, count axles and determine the status of each vehicle i.e. locomotive or
wagon. Communications were handled via a Next G modem and a UHF radio for
voice announcements. The Inspired Systems TIE would integrate the information sent
from the AEI Tag Reader located at the site. The main equipment was to be housed in
a pole mounted location case and be powered by solar energy.
The logic of the system was to:
a. Collect all axle information and tag information
b. Allocate the axles into vehicles
c. Apply the tag information
d. If configured to try calibration, attempt to calibrate the axle reads
e. If configured to use tag lengths, use the AEI as the predominant source of truth,
and use the axle readings to fill any gaps
f.
Else use the axle readings as the sole source of truth (note this is after
calibrating).
Unmanned
Inspection System
Asset Protection systems are an absolute must for
all rolling stock. The challenge arises when one of
those sytems indicates an alert situation and calls
for the train to stop. The next task is for the driver
to substantiate the alert condition and determine
the best course of action. In some cases this may
mean the driver has to walk up to 2.5 kms along a
train and then back to the locomotive. It is much
less for shorter trains but still a risk, especially on
uneven ground or at night or when confronted by
adverse environmental conditions. What if we had an
Unmanned Inspector System (UIS) that could inspect
the train and report details of detected problems or
that the alert was false alarm?
An Unmanned Aerial System
(UAS) is a rugged, industry
quality aircraft that is the
next generation in Asset
Protection Devices. Using
both GPS, laser and sensor
technologies, the Unmanned
Aerial System (UAS) navigates
around and underneath trains
and in between cars to detect
hot wheels and bearings or the
distance between vehicles.
The UAS extends human potential and allows us
to execute dangerous or difficult tasks safely and
efficiently; saving time, money and most importantly,
saving lives.
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The UAS takes measurements using on-board
sensors such as electro-optical (video), thermal
imaging, and lasers (for temperature or distance) to
determine exactly what and where a problem is or
whether a false alarm was raised – all with extreme
accuracy.
The UIS can also be prompted by a train
driver or a monitoring station operator to
investigate an alarm or conduct a full
train inspection.
The UAS can complete a full train
length visual inspection of vehicles,
temperature readings, car gap
distances and more; essentially
encapsulating the tasks carried out
by a driver during a manual inspection.
Because of its increased speed and
accuracy, the UIS can reduce train stop
times by 75% when compared to an inspection
completed by a driver.
This not only saves millions of dollars, but the UIS
will also reach hot components (such as wheels or
bearings) before they cool down.
Asset Protection equipment can determine the location
of a car that has triggered an alarm, and alert the
UAS to navigate directly to the vehicle in question for
investigation. Gaps are identified by either using imagerecognition algorithms applied to video data or using a
laser measuring distance.
The use of a UAS device is quite simple; the challenge
lies in processing the information gathered from the
UAS and translating that into a useful application. The
information collected from the UIS is sent back to an
Inspired Systems’ Onboard Intelligence Equipment
unit – a flexible central intelligence unit used for
the collection and interpretation of data. This data
is then sent to the Condition Monitoring System
for interpretation all in real time. A decision can be
quickly made whether to hold the train and cut out
the offending vehicle, to proceed with caution or that
a false alarm has occurred and the train can revert to
normal operations. If the driver is on-board the train,
the data would be made available via an in-cab screen;
and also sent to Train Control and remote monitoring
stations.
The Condition Monitoring System collects and compiles
the data from various types of vehicle performance
monitoring devices, such as the UIS to create a
composite view of railway vehicle performance.
This view can be selectively modified by the user to
create semi-custom event notifications and reports
for individual vehicle performance or overall fleet
performance.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS:
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UAS comes in Hexacopter or
Octocopter forms resulting in high
stability, payload and range
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Can be mounted on an exterior
electrical charging point of a
locomotive if it is unmanned
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Single and dual video operation
modes
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Live video feed
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Reduces inspection risks – the UAS
can be deployed for inspection on a
bridge or tunnel
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Increased efficiency, decreased
costs
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Heavy Haul Rail Conference
Newcastle 2014
Inspired Systems will be setting up camp with Progress
Rail Services this year at the 4th Annual Heavy Haul Rail
Conference and Exhibition in Newcastle, NSW.
Join us in booth #3 to see our latest range of products and
services.
Not to be missed, Inspired Systems will also be at the Heavy
Haul Conference dinner on the 27th of August. We are looking
forward to catching up with both new and familiar faces.
Inspirations Newsletter
We appreciate any feedback that you
may have regarding our Inspirations
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with the latest in Asset Management &
Condition Monitoring.
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Ph: +61 8 9456 5666
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70 Mordaunt Circuit, Canning Vale WA 6155
PO Box 1758, Canning Vale DC WA 6970
[email protected]
www.inspiredsystems.com.au
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