A method for analyzing one or more conditions of a transportation pathway includes obtaining, using an imaging device of an inspection system, image data reproducible as a plurality of images of the transportation pathway, each of the plurality of images being reproducible as an image of a portion of the transportation pathway, each portion of the transportation pathway having an associated location along a length of the transportation pathway, analyzing, using one or more processors of the inspection system, the image data to determine a first plurality of metrics indicative of a condition of the transportation pathway at each of the associated locations, and generating a first graph, using the determined first plurality of metrics, that is indicative of the condition of the transportation pathway at each of the associated locations.

A system and method for adjusting light emitter output for a railway track inspection system based on data feedback from one or more devices.

A method for inspecting a railroad track include detecting, using one or more sensors of an inspection system, movement of a transport device along the railroad track, responsive to the detecting, automatically actuating one or more cameras of the inspection system, receiving, from at least one of the one or more cameras, first image data reproducible as a first image of a first portion of the railroad track, analyzing the first image data to identify the presence or absence of one or more features of interest on the first portion of the railroad track; determining a first location of the transport device, and associating the first location of the transport device with the first image data.

A method and a system (30) for inspecting and/or mapping a railway track (18). The method comprises: acquiring geo-referenced rail geometry data associated with geometries of two rails (20) of the track along the section; acquiring geo-referenced 3D point cloud data, which includes point data corresponding to the two rails and surroundings of the track along the section; deriving track profiles of the track from the geo-referenced 3D point cloud data and the geo-referenced rail geometry data; and comparing the track profiles and generating enhanced geo-referenced rail geometry data and/or enhanced geo-referenced 3D point cloud data based on the comparison.

This application relates to methods and apparatus for distributed fibre optic sensing and especially to the processing of signals derived from such sensing techniques to characterise events of interest. The application describes a method of distributed fibre optic sensing, comprising; performing distributed fibre optic sensing so as to generate at least one set of measurement signals from each of a plurality of sensing channels of an optical fibre (101) in response to at least one event of interest. For each set of measurement signals, processing the measurement signals from different sensing channels according to an association metric to determine whether any sensing channels are associated with one another and form at least one association matrix indicative of the sensing channels that are associated with one another. The method further comprising performing distributed fibre optic sensing to acquire a further set of measurement signals from said sensing channels in response to a further event of interest and processing said further set of measurement signals based on said at least one association matrix to characterise said further event of interest.

A method for determining a torsional moment of a wheel set shaft of a rail vehicle during the operation of the rail vehicle is used for a wheel set shaft having two wheels secured to ends of the shaft for rolling on two rails. A model is used to calculate a torsional moment which acts on the wheel set shaft, and the model is based on a torsional vibration of the wheel set shaft at a specified slip action point. The torsional moment acting on the wheel set shaft is ascertained based on the energy of the torsional vibration of the wheel set shaft at the slip action point and based on a damping energy which acts on the torsional vibration of the wheel set shaft.

A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The orientation of the sensors allows for different data to be gathered regarding a particular rail including rail design specifications (gathered based on manufacturer markings detected and analyzed by the system), rail seat abrasion values based on direct measurement of rails from the oblique angle, and other analysis of rail features including joint bars, rail welds, bond wires, rail holes, and broken rails. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.

A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged images are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail fastener integrity, rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

A system and method for monitoring a track and/or rail employs one or more imagers mounted to a railcar and directed to image the track and/or rails wherein the images are geo-tagged with location data. Geo-tagged images are processed to determine at least track gauge and/or at least rail fastener integrity. The system and method may also determine other track and/or rail integrity issues including, e.g., rail fastener integrity, rail profile, rail alignment, center point dip, cross level, rail cant, wheel wear, wheel integrity, rail wear, rail defects, and/or rail temperature. The system and method may also determine when inspection and/or maintenance of the track is indicated, and provide selected records of where and/or when such inspection and/or maintenance is indicated.

A system and method obtain first image data of a route at a location of interest from a first optical sensor disposed onboard a vehicle system moving along the route. The first image data depicts the route at the location of interest prior to passage of the vehicle system over the route at the location of interest. Second image data of the route at the location of interest is obtained from a second optical sensor disposed onboard the vehicle system. The second image data depicts the route at the location of interest after passage of the vehicle system over the route at the location of interest. A determination is made as to whether a change in the route has occurred at the location of interest by comparing the first image data with the second image data.