Title: Unattended track geometry measurement (UGMS): a safety and management tool
Abstract: For several decades it has been the practice of railroads worldwide to equip a special car or passenger coach with measurement equipment that is used to gather track geometry data throughout their network. This data helps to maintain the track within safe operating standards, minimizing the risk of derailments and allows the track to be operated at commercially acceptable speeds. The high-cost of these measurement cars have increasingly become an area of concern to railway operators. The cars are expensive to acquire, life cycle costs are quite high and with the rate of advances in technology, obsolescence is always a problem. Unattended Track Geometry Measurement Systems (UGMS) are now considered to be a viable alternative. Systems are in production for customers and the concept is under active consideration by many railways worldwide. Because UGMS track recording systems are fitted to service trains, track managers and engineers have access to frequent track geometry data that accurately reveals the rate of track deterioration at any location, provides feedback on the quality of track maintenance and renewal work and also provides warning of any sudden change in track quality which might be a cause for concern. Track safety can be addressed weekly rather than quarterly.
Publication Year: 2002
Publication Date: 2002-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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