Rail Maintenance Using Advanced InSAR Monitoring

California Rail - California, USA

All 55 kilometres of this rail corridor need regular monitoring. However, visual inspections can only happen sometimes. This means that ground or track movements between inspections might go unnoticed.
Researchers collected displacement data from December 2018 to November 2021. This data helped us find trends and identify parts of the railway with higher displacement.
Experts pinpointed areas of higher displacement, allowing them to take preventive measures before those areas develop into costly failures.

Highlights

California’s 55km rail track corridor between Hercules and Hayward is a vital transportation link. As part of the GAIA Project, Geofem has been looking into possible track movement. This movement could affect the safety and reliability of this important infrastructure.

The Importance of Regular Rail Maintenance

Maintaining railway infrastructure is crucial for safe operations. According to the American Public Transport Association (APTA), the average cost for regular railway maintenance in the United States ranges from $5,000 to $12,000 per mile annually, as of January 2022. While this maintenance is costly, the consequences of neglecting it are far worse.

The Economic Impact of Rail Disruptions

Disruptions in rail services can lead to significant economic losses. In 2020, delays on Class I freight railroads in the U.S. caused an estimated economic loss of over $2.5 billion. The figure includes costs from lost productivity, increased fuel use, and missed delivery deadlines for goods transported by rail. This information comes from the Federal Railroad Administration in the USA.

Challenges of Traditional Monitoring Methods

Monitoring the entire 55km of railway track is challenging. Although necessary, we can only conduct visual inspections intermittently. This means that any ground or track movements occurring between inspections could go unnoticed, potentially leading to hazardous conditions. Additionally, conducting physical surveys may require temporary line closures for worker safety, disrupting rail services.

Leveraging Remote Sensing Techniques

To overcome these challenges, Geofem employed Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) technology to monitor track stability with millimetric precision. Track components and ballast materials are good scatterers for DInSAR analysis. They help detect even the smallest movements.

Data-Driven Insights for Rail Maintenance

Between December 2018 and November 2021, Geofem collected three years of displacement data without the need for site visits. This approach minimised service disruptions and provided stakeholders with critical insights. The analysis revealed specific sections of the railway exhibiting consistently higher displacement rates, enabling targeted preventive measures before minor issues escalated into costly failures.

Benefits of Remote Sensing in Rail Maintenance

Cost Efficiency: By using remote sensing, Geofem reduced the need for frequent on-site inspections. This saved stakeholders money on maintenance and monitoring costs.
Minimised Disruptions: Continuous monitoring eliminated the need for temporary line closures, ensuring smoother rail operations.
Enhanced Safety: Early identification of high-risk areas allowed for timely interventions, enhancing the overall safety and reliability of the rail network.

Conclusion

The use of remote sensing technologies like DInSAR in rail infrastructure monitoring represents a significant advancement in predictive maintenance strategies. By providing accurate, real-time data on track stability, stakeholders can make informed decisions, ensuring the safety and efficiency of rail operations while minimising costs and disruptions.

For more information on how Geofem and the GAIA Project are transforming infrastructure monitoring, contact us today.

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