An alignment meter for a rail system includes a housing defining a cavity, a flexible member connected to the housing, and at least one strain measuring element provided on the flexible member. The strain measuring element may be configured to measure the strain experienced by the flexible member. At least one strain measuring element may be positioned to measure strain in a horizontal direction relative to the flexible member. The at least one strain measuring element may be positioned to measure strain in a vertical direction relative to the flexible member.

An alignment meter for a rail system includes a housing defining a cavity, a flexible member connected to the housing, and at least one strain measuring element provided on the flexible member. The strain measuring element may be configured to measure the strain experienced by the flexible member. At least one strain measuring element may be positioned to measure strain in a horizontal direction relative to the flexible member. The at least one strain measuring element may be positioned to measure strain in a vertical direction relative to the flexible member.

A light reference system includes a first, second and third rail followers. The second rail follower is disposed between the first and third rail followers. First and second light sources are disposed on the first and third rail followers and operable to emit light towards the second rail follower. First and Second imaging devices are disposed on the second rail follower. The first imaging device is operable to receive the light emitted by the first light source and provide first image data. The second imaging device is operable to receive the light emitted by the second light source and provide second image data. A processing device is configured to perform a measurement, based on the first and second image data, indicating a relative position of the second rail follower with respect to at least one of the first and third rail followers.

A light reference system includes a first, second and third rail followers. The second rail follower is disposed between the first and third rail followers. First and second light sources are disposed on the first and third rail followers and operable to emit light towards the second rail follower. First and Second imaging devices are disposed on the second rail follower. The first imaging device is operable to receive the light emitted by the first light source and provide first image data. The second imaging device is operable to receive the light emitted by the second light source and provide second image data. A processing device is configured to perform a measurement, based on the first and second image data, indicating a relative position of the second rail follower with respect to at least one of the first and third rail followers.

Track alignment reference system projectors having a modulated light source, in addition to arrays of light sources, optionally utilizing a lens are provided. Track alignment systems that utilize or may make use of cascaded devices are also described. Related systems and methods are also provided.

Track alignment reference system projectors having a modulated light source, in addition to arrays of light sources, optionally utilizing a lens are provided. Track alignment systems that utilize or may make use of cascaded devices are also described. Related systems and methods are also provided.

A method and system provide the ability to align a railway track. Survey representing the track are obtained. A centerline of the railway track and curvatures are autonomously computed based on the survey points. Geometry is detected based on the curvature plot and provides for geometry types including a tangent, a spiral, and a curve. An alignment is displayed and includes a curvature plot that includes the detected geometry with each geometry type displayed in a visually distinguishable manner. Parameters of the detected geometry are changed and the alignment is dynamically updated. The alignment is then exported to a physical machine that aligns the railway track consistent with the alignment.

A method and system provide the ability to align a railway track. Survey representing the track are obtained. A centerline of the railway track and curvatures are autonomously computed based on the survey points. Geometry is detected based on the curvature plot and provides for geometry types including a tangent, a spiral, and a curve. An alignment is displayed and includes a curvature plot that includes the detected geometry with each geometry type displayed in a visually distinguishable manner. Parameters of the detected geometry are changed and the alignment is dynamically updated. The alignment is then exported to a physical machine that aligns the railway track consistent with the alignment.

An alignment apparatus comprising a laser component having a magnet, a pair of guide shoes adapted for mounting to the web portion of a rail, and a pair of lasers. The apparatus further comprising a target component having a magnet, a pair of guide shoes being adapted for mounting to the web portion of a rail, and a target. The pair of lasers project light towards the target component to indicate whether the rails are in alignment. In some embodiments, the laser component comprise a pair of adjustment knobs for calibrating the laser beams.

An alignment apparatus comprising a laser component having a magnet, a pair of guide shoes adapted for mounting to the web portion of a rail, and a pair of lasers. The apparatus further comprising a target component having a magnet, a pair of guide shoes being adapted for mounting to the web portion of a rail, and a target. The pair of lasers project light towards the target component to indicate whether the rails are in alignment. In some embodiments, the laser component comprise a pair of adjustment knobs for calibrating the laser beams.