The invention relates to a method for contactless recording of a track geometry of a track by means of a rail vehicle which is moved along the track on on-track undercarriages (4), wherein profile data of the track extending in transverse direction are compiled by means of a laser scanner. In this, it is provided that, by means of an evaluation device, profile data are evaluated relative to a reference base pre-defined on the rail vehicle in order to derive from this the course of a track central axis and/or a rail. The invention additionally relates to a rail vehicle which comprise an evaluation device configured for carrying out the method. Thus, no further measuring system is required to determine a track position.

The invention relates to a method of controlling a track maintenance machine, particularly a switch tamping- or universal tamping machine, which moves along a track and has working units, particularly a tamping unit and a lifting unit, which are adjustable relative to a machine frame, wherein position data of track objects, particularly sleepers, rails and optionally obstacles, are recorded by means of a sensor device in front of the working units in a working direction, and wherein operating positions of the working units are determined for a working operation at a track location. In this, prior to actuation of the working units, the determined operating positions of the working units are displayed by means of a display device, wherein, prior to carrying out the working operation, the operating positions of the working units can be changed by means of control elements. As a result of the display of the determined operating positions prior to the working operation, an operator is enabled to recognize possible misalignments before these become effective.

A monitor vehicle for a rail system includes a wheeled trolley, an overhead vehicle, a supporting structure, and a first sensor. The wheeled trolley is above a rail of the rail system, is operable to move over the rail, and has a bottom surface. The overhead vehicle body is suspended by the wheeled trolley and below the rail. The supporting structure connects the wheeled trolley and the overhead vehicle body. The first sensor is on the bottom surface of the wheeled trolley and is configured to detect a first parameter of the rail of the rail system.

A positive train control system and method may comprise one or more switch monitors and/or one or more track monitors providing sensor data relative to one or more switches and/or one or more tracks, respectively, determining whether there is an anomaly of a switch or track, and when there is, providing a message, alert and/or warning, and/or initiating a train control action. Determination of an anomaly may be preformed on a train or at a remote location, e.g., a central facility.

A train detection system for a railway track section placed on a track bed, the track section having two rails, the train detection system comprising at least one cable, the cable being placed across the two rails, a transmitter connected to the cable and configured to emit an emitted signal into the at least one cable, a receiver connected to the cable and configured to receive a received signal related to the emitted signal having passed through the cable, and capable of determining, according to the received signal, between an unoccupied state where no railway vehicle is present on the track section, and an occupied state where the track section is occupied by a railway vehicle. The cable is buried under the track bed.

A method for identifying an alteration of an object in the vicinity of a train in operation travelling on a rail track along a route. The train is operative to transport passengers or cargo. The method includes capturing image data of an object located at a point of interest along said route when said train is operational on said rail track. Furthermore, said image data is analyzed to find matching reference image data stored in a data storage device. Based on said matching reference image data, said object is located at a position within said point of interest. Further, said image data is analyzed to find an alteration of said object compared to said matching reference image data. If an alteration is found, an action depending may be taken.

A system and method for inspecting a railway track a calculating plate cut and/or rail seat abrasion (RSA) based on rail head elevation and crosstie surface elevation measurements and an estimate of rail height.

The invention relates to a portable device for measuring lateral rail measurements under service to record and report excessive rail movement and angle differential to prevent a train from derailing. The device may be spring-loaded and light-weight. The device may include a microprocessor, sensors, and a display. The device may be installed on the rail. The device may sense an approaching train, automatically turn on the device, detect the train speed, and measure the angle differential, the real-time displacement, and the maximum/minimum displacement between the two rails while the train is operating over the rail at all speeds. The device measures and records the separation and angle differential of the rail to ensure the rail does not exceed separation that could derail the train.

A monitor vehicle for a rail system includes a wheeled trolley, an overhead vehicle, a supporting structure, and a first sensor. The wheeled trolley is above a rail of the rail system, is operable to move over the rail, and has a bottom surface. The overhead vehicle body is suspended by the wheeled trolley and below the rail. The supporting structure connects the wheeled trolley and the overhead vehicle body. The first sensor is on the bottom surface of the wheeled trolley and is configured to detect a first parameter of the rail of the rail system.

A guide system including a railway rail extending along an axis and including an upper element having a rolling face; a lower element having a bearing face; a connecting element between the lower and upper elements, at least one lateral recess being formed between the lower and upper elements; at least first and second attitude sensors fixed to the rail by glue at respective positions offset along the axis of the rail, the attitude sensors being housed at least partially in the lateral recess; a processing circuit configured to recover attitude measurements supplied by the first and second attitude sensors and configured to calculate a deformation of the railway rail relative to the axis as a function of the recovered attitude measurements.