A system for estimating a load index of a railway vehicle is described, comprising: an image acquisition means arranged to acquire a real-time image of a predetermined area inside a wagon of such a railway vehicle; and a control means arranged to determine the load index of the railway vehicle as a function of this image acquired by the image acquisition means.

A system for determining a weight status of a railway vehicle. An emitter to emit radio waves. A first detector arranged on the vehicle to detect radio waves and generate a first distance data set. A second detector arranged on the vehicle to detect radio waves and generate a second distance data set. A third detector arranged on the vehicle to detect radio waves and generate a third distance data set. A fourth detector arranged on the vehicle to detect radio waves and generate a fourth distance data set. The first-fourth distance data set indicate a displacement of the vehicle relative at least one of the rails, the railroad and the ground. The first-fourth detector are arranged at different locations on the vehicle. A processing unit to receive the first-fourth distance data set and determine a weight status of the vehicle based at least on the first-fourth distance data set.

A system for determining a weight status of a railway vehicle. An emitter to emit radio waves. A first detector arranged on the vehicle to detect radio waves and generate a first distance data set. A second detector arranged on the vehicle to detect radio waves and generate a second distance data set. A third detector arranged on the vehicle to detect radio waves and generate a third distance data set. A fourth detector arranged on the vehicle to detect radio waves and generate a fourth distance data set. The first-fourth distance data set indicate a displacement of the vehicle relative at least one of the rails, the railroad and the ground. The first-fourth detector are arranged at different locations on the vehicle. A processing unit to receive the first-fourth distance data set and determine a weight status of the vehicle based at least on the first-fourth distance data set.

A rail vehicle includes a truck having wheels for engaging a railroad track, a bolster supported by the truck, and a tank supported by the bolster for storing a lading. A measurement system measures the level of the lading within the tank and includes gauges and a controller. The gauges are disposed at selected points on the bolster for sensing at least one of lateral and longitudinal localized displacement experienced by the bolster during motion of the rail vehicle. The controller calculates the level of the lading within the tank and compensates for changes in the level of the lading during motion of the rail vehicle in response to signals generated by the gauges.