Developments and applications in the Amtrak track geometry measurement car

Michael Trosino; Ta-Lun Yang; Richard Kelshaw

doi:10.1117/12.212678

30 June 1995 Developments and applications in the Amtrak track geometry measurement car

Michael Trosino, Ta-Lun Yang, Richard Kelshaw

Proceedings Volume 2458, Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Railroads; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.212678
Event: Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Infrastructure, 1995, Oakland, CA, United States

Abstract

Amtrak's high-speed track geometry measurement car no. 10002 is used routinely on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor (NEC) trackage and on other routes used by Amtrak throughout the country. Data collected by the measurement system is used for many purposes, including: checking compliance with respect to safety standards; maintaining the requirements set forth in the government waiver for 125 MPH operation on the NEC; evaluating the service quality of the track; monitoring the rate of degradation; directing short-term and long-term maintenance programs; evaluating the quality of maintenance work; and serving as inputs in vehicle dynamic modeling. This paper presents brief descriptions of the measurement and data processing capabilities, and examples of applications. Data collected at regular intervals serves as a monitoring tool to measure the quality and the effectiveness of maintenance performed. Data collected at high speed is of particular value in modeling the dynamic performance of high speed passenger trains. Track geometry data processed with the appropriate algorithms can be put into a space curve representation which contains long wavelength information that is critical in higher speed trains. The Amtrak 10002 measures approximately 40,000 miles of track each year. The many applications which use the collected data are a perfect illustration of how modern measurement and data processing technology can be fully integrated into an old industry with established traditional practices.

Citation Download Citation

Michael Trosino, Ta-Lun Yang, and Richard Kelshaw "Developments and applications in the Amtrak track geometry measurement car", Proc. SPIE 2458, Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Railroads, (30 June 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.212678

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