Mapping of the electromagnetic environment on the railway: Condition monitoring of signalling assets

Abstract

Conventional track circuit condition monitoring systems are fixed at the wayside, with each installation reporting on a single track circuit. In this work, we present a custom-built, sensitive, magnetic field detection system, which can be fitted to the underside of a rail vehicle. With this system installed, some characteristics of an operating track circuit can be monitored from the vehicle whilst it is in motion. By using appropriate analysis techniques, it is possible to identify the signatures of equipment relating to audio frequency track circuits, the topic of this work. Analysing the signatures of track circuit equipment demonstrated that there were clear differences between track circuit assets. By building on other research into the behaviours of failing track circuits, and continuing to conduct this research, the authors believe that it is possible, and beneficial, to perform condition monitoring of track circuits from low-cost equipment mounted on the train. Coupling this with advanced analysis techniques will allow predictive maintenance of track circuits with very little capital outlay.

Condition Monitoring of Rail Transport Systems: A Bibliometric Performance Analysis and Systematic Literature Review

“…Niebling et al [ 371 ], staying in the mainstream of low-cost sensor applications—e.g., Knight-Percival et al [ 372 ]—on in-service trains, suggested deep learning ( artificial intelligence ) in order to analyze large volumes of sensors’ measurement data. The authors combined common signal processing methods and deep convolutional autoencoders and clustering algorithms.…”

“…Moreover, the authors mentioned that thermal changes impact both rail surface and pantograph catenary; therefore, they suggested the coupling of fuzzy and thermal image processing methods. Moreover, in Knight-Percival et al [ 372 ], the authors observed that the interdisciplinary field of systems engineering—in particular transportation systems—is extended and supported by Industry 4.0 . Industry 4.0, according to the authors, focuses on the design and management of complex systems during their life cycles, with consideration of four design principles—namely, interoperability (communication and connection between systems, devices, and sensors), information transparency (integration of sensor data with a digital twin of a physical system), technical assistance (visualization of complex data and reduction of workload), and decentralized decisions (autonomy of complex systems that can adapt to the specific environment).…”

“…Industry 4.0, according to the authors, focuses on the design and management of complex systems during their life cycles, with consideration of four design principles—namely, interoperability (communication and connection between systems, devices, and sensors), information transparency (integration of sensor data with a digital twin of a physical system), technical assistance (visualization of complex data and reduction of workload), and decentralized decisions (autonomy of complex systems that can adapt to the specific environment). In Knight-Percival et al [ 372 ], as a consequence of the implementation of such principles, the authors developed a custom-built, low-cost magnetic field detection system for track circuit condition monitoring, mounted under the body of a rail vehicle. The authors used electromagnetic induction as a sensing technique, and the consequently obtained measurements were nonintrusive and galvanically isolated from the track circuit.…”

Modeling “Wrong Side” Failures Caused by Geomagnetically Induced Currents in Electrified Railway Signaling Systems in the UK

“…Since typical railway infrastructure has a lifetime of 30–40 years, rolling technology upgrades also occur over long timescales. Meanwhile, DC track circuits (of the kind we are modeling) are relatively cheap and there are thousands installed in the UK network that will remain in use for decades to come (Knight‐Percival et al., 2020).…”

Modeling “Wrong Side” Failures Caused by Geomagnetically Induced Currents in Electrified Railway Signaling Systems in the UK

“…Since typical railway infrastructure has a lifetime of 30-40 years, rolling technology upgrades also occur over long timescales. Meanwhile, DC track circuits (of the kind we are modeling) are relatively cheap and there are thousands installed in the UK network that will remain in use for decades to come (Knight-Percival et al, 2020).…”