An image management system includes a controller and one or more analysis processors. The controller is configured to receive search parameters that specify at least one of operational data or a range of operational data of one or more vehicle systems. The one or more analysis processors are configured to search remotely stored image data based on the search parameters to identify matching image data. The remotely stored image data was obtained by one or more imaging systems disposed onboard the one or more vehicle systems, and are associated with the operational data of the one or more vehicle systems that was current when the remotely stored image data was acquired. The one or more analysis processors also are configured to obtain the matching image data having the operational data specified by the search parameters and to present the matching image data to an operator.

The present application involves a railroad track inspection system comprising a plurality of track scanning sensors, a data store, and a scan data processor. The data store is used for storing track scan data recorded by the track scanning sensors. The scan data processor is used for automatic analysis of the track scan data upon receipt thereof to detect one or more track components within the scan data from a predetermined list of component types according to one or more features identified in said scan data. The system comprises a common support structure to which the track scanning sensors, the data store and scan data processor are attached, the common support structure having a mounting for attachment of the system to a railway vehicle in use.

A system and method for adjusting light emitter output for a railway track inspection system based on data feedback from one or more sensors. The system includes: a power source; a light emitting apparatus emitting light energy toward a railway track; a 3D sensor acquiring three-dimensional data of the railway track; a shaft encoder emitting pulses at a rate that corresponds to a speed of the railway track vehicle; and an algorithm operable on processor to: analyze the three-dimensional data from the 3D sensor; receive pulses from the shaft encoder; and adjust a light emitter control output value based on the analyzed three-dimensional data and the received pulses. A controller in communication with the processor is configured to control the light intensity of the light emitting apparatus in response to the light emitter control output value.

A route examination system determines a characteristic of a vehicle system traveling over a segment of a route under inspection, a characteristic of the route, and/or a characteristic of movement of the vehicle system over the segment of the route. The system also detects acoustic sounds generated by movement of the vehicle system over the segment of the route. The system selects a baseline signature representative of acoustic sounds generated by movement of the vehicle system or another vehicle system over a healthy segment of the route, and determines that the segment of the route under inspection is damaged based on a comparison between the baseline signature and the acoustic sounds generated by the movement of the vehicle system over the segment of the route under inspection.

Methods and systems for monitoring and detecting various events or anomalies of interest on or along an object of interest, such as a transportation path, road, or railway, are presented. Data regarding the detected events can be collected near its source and transmitted to a data collection or processing object for analysis or storage. These events may include, but not limited to, rock falls, wheel or tire flat spots, or other acoustic or vibration generating events at or near the object of interest.

In one embodiment, a railroad scout vehicle system includes a scout vehicle and a processing unit. The scout vehicle may include at least two wheels configured to engage a set of railroad tracks, a motor mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels, a speed controller, an electromagnetic sensor aimed at the set of railroad tracks, a positioning receiver, a local speed sensing device and a transceiver. The speed controller may be coupled to the motor and configured to control the speed of the scout vehicle in order to maintain an appropriate distance between the scout vehicle and a train traveling behind. The processing unit may be configured to transmit the track status information via the transceiver, receive train speed and position signals from the train via the transceiver.

A route examination system includes a thermographic camera configured to be logically or mechanically coupled with a vehicle that travels along a route. The thermographic camera is also configured to sense infrared radiation emitted or reflected from the route and to generate a sensed thermal signature representative of the infrared radiation that is sensed. The system also includes a computer readable memory device configured to store a designated thermal signature representative of infrared radiation emitted from a segment of the route that is not damaged. The system also includes an analysis processor configured to determine a condition of a first portion of the route relative to other portions of the route at least in part by comparing the sensed thermal signature and the designated thermal signature.

A rail gauge measurement tool includes a frame mounting the tool to a rail vehicle, and an engagement unit that moves relative to the frame. The engagement unit has a first contacting element that maintains contact with a rail as the vehicle moves along a rail track, and a pair of parallel connecting shafts. The tool also includes an air cylinder exerting a biasing force so that the engagement unit maintains contact with the rail as the vehicle travels along the rail track. The tool also includes a linear sensor, separate from the air cylinder, that measures movement of the first rail engagement unit relative to the frame. The linear sensor and the air cylinder are parallel, but in a different plane from the parallel connecting shafts to lend structural support to the tool.

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.

A monitor vehicle for a rail system includes a wheeled trolley, an overhead vehicle body, at least one supporting structure, and at least one first sensor. The wheeled trolley is operable to move over one or more rails of the rail system. The supporting structure connects the wheeled trolley and overhead vehicle body. The first sensor is on the wheeled trolley and configured to detect at least one first parameter of the one or more rails of the rail system.