TRACK AND SIGNALLING
Rail data acquisition
Nick van den Hurk of RailData International describes the next generation of track alignment data gathering in the UK.
Fig 1B: RILA coupled to Class 150 (UK) Fig: 2 RILA coupled to a Class 47 (UK) R
ILA (Rail Infrastructure aLignment Acquisition System) was developed by
and is operated by RailData International BV, based in Utrecht in the Netherlands.
The RILA system consists of a lightweight measuring module, a clever logistical model and post-processing of the data. The uniqueness of RILA is that it uses regular trains as the carriers for its measurement module. The unit is installed on the automated train coupler with two persons in less than two minutes (fi g 1a and 1b).
A scheduled train stop at a station of two
minutes is suffi cient to get all systems up and running. Using regular trains takes away the need for special measurement trains, additional train paths, or track possessions.
Measurement data have up to now been successfully gathered at speeds up to 140km/h (87mph). However the measurement system is also designed to manage higher speeds as required on high speed lines.
In addition, depending on the requirements of a project, RILA can be attached to the buffers of a dedicated locomotive (fi g 2). A dedicated train path is planned for this locomotive, covering all the tracks and turnouts that need to be measured for the project.
In both cases however, no surveyors need to be on or nearby the open lines anymore, rendering RILA a very safe system of gathering track data.
Measurement principle
RILA uses a sophisticated GNSS measurement system combined with inertial measurement technology (a combination
‘average’ track position.
In this way a high degree of accuracy of the absolute position can be achieved without the need for permanent ground markers: <10mm in the XY position and <15mm in the Z position in one standard deviation or one sigma.
Scanned rail profi les
Computing the track centre – at a line speed of 75mph (120 km/h), the result is an image of the railheads with an accurate XYZ position every 6.6cm.
of gyroscopes
and acceleration sensors) and laser scan technology. All these components are low energy consuming and battery powered.
Fig 1A: RILA coupled to DM90 (Netherlands)
To improve the quality of the data even further, the tracks are measured four times and the post- process is repeated four times by combining the data in an algorithm and computing the
In summary, RILA is a very safe, low cost, highly accurate, absolute XYZ measurement system, revolutionising current track gathering practices.
data FOR MORE INFORMATION
T: +31 307 551 520 (offi ce) E:
info@raildata.nl W:
www.raildata.nl
rail technology magazine Dec/Jan 14 | 65
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