A comprehensive system designed for the predictive maintenance of railcar wheel bearings, integrating multiple sensor modalities. The system includes thermography for temperature mapping, vibration analysis via a three-axis accelerometer, rotational velocity measurement using a rate gyro, and optical spectrometry for lubricant analysis. Each modality contributes to a holistic understanding of bearing health, enhancing maintenance strategies, safety, and operational efficiency in rail transportation.

A comprehensive system designed for the predictive maintenance of railcar wheel bearings, integrating multiple sensor modalities. The system includes thermography for temperature mapping, vibration analysis via a three-axis accelerometer, rotational velocity measurement using a rate gyro, and optical spectrometry for lubricant analysis. Each modality contributes to a holistic understanding of bearing health, enhancing maintenance strategies, safety, and operational efficiency in rail transportation.

Systems and techniques for detecting applied railcar brakes within a railroad classification yard using thermal imaging. A thermal imaging system, including at least one thermal imaging sensor, captures a plurality of thermal images of railcar wheels. The thermal imaging system determines if a temperature within a user-defined bounding box on the thermal sensor's field of view exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold for a specified amount of time. Alternatively, a neural network may be used to detect the excessive temperature. In response, the thermal imaging system sends a system message, and a computer processor receives the system message and, if it meets reporting criteria, identifies the particular railcar and generates and transmits an alert message indicating a potential issue with the wheels of the railcar.