Rail Corridor Monitored with Millimetric Accuracy
Northern Ireland - United Kingdom
Highlights
Northern Ireland’s railway network transports 15 million passengers annually, requiring constant monitoring to stay resilient against geohazards like subsidence and slope instability.
Traditional inspections have limitations, leaving gaps in detection. To enhance monitoring, Geofem conducted a pilot study using Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR). This advanced technology provides millimetric accuracy in tracking both historical and ongoing ground displacement, ensuring safer and more reliable rail operations.
Gaps in Traditional Inspection Methods
Northern Ireland's 363 km railway network spans diverse terrains, requiring regular monitoring to ensure safety. Traditional inspections, conducted annually, have key limitations:
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Infrequent Assessments – Long gaps between inspections can allow undetected ground movement or structural issues to escalate.
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Service Disruptions – Physical surveys often require temporary rail closures, disrupting passenger and freight services.
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Difficult Terrain – Dense vegetation and remote areas hinder thorough inspections, increasing the risk of undetected hazards.
These challenges highlight the need for a more efficient, continuous, and non-invasive monitoring solution.
Leveraging DInSAR for Continuous Monitoring
Geofem’s DInSAR technology detects millimetric ground displacement, ensuring precise, satellite-based railway monitoring.
How DInSAR Works
DInSAR uses satellite radar to detect surface changes by analysing reflections from rail tracks and other stable structures. For Northern Ireland’s railway, it provided:
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Wide-Area Monitoring: Covered all 363 km remotely, eliminating access challenges.
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Historical Analysis: Assessed ground movement trends from September 2020 to 2022.
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Real-Time Insights: Enabled continuous tracking and early risk detection.
Historical and Current Displacement Analysis
Geofem's pilot study used DInSAR technology to detect areas of the railway corridor with increased displacement. Satellite data identified movement trends, allowing for targeted interventions to prevent issues from escalating.
Key Findings
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Historical Displacement Trends
By analysing two years of satellite data, the study identified increasing ground displacement, offering stakeholders insights into long-term vulnerabilities and underlying causes of instability. -
Current Ground Movement
Real-time monitoring identified active displacement areas, enabling proactive maintenance like track reinforcement and drainage improvements to mitigate risks. -
Geohazard Hotspots
The study identified geohazard-prone areas, such as loose soils, steep slopes, and water-saturated zones, helping prioritise resources and intervention strategies.
The Benefits of DInSAR Technology
DInSAR technology offers a range of advantages that address the limitations of traditional inspection methods:
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Non-Disruptive Monitoring
DInSAR enables remote monitoring without site visits, maintaining uninterrupted railway operations while enhancing worker safety and preventing service disruptions. -
Millimetric Precision
Satellite data captures ground displacement with millimetric accuracy, enabling early detection of even minor shifts and allowing for timely interventions to prevent further damage. -
Wide Geographic Coverage
DInSAR's remote monitoring capability makes it ideal for large networks like Northern Ireland’s railway, providing comprehensive coverage that in-person inspections cannot easily achieve. -
Retrospective and Real-Time Analysis
Combining historical and real-time data helps stakeholders identify long-term trends and immediate risks, improving decision-making and enabling proactive infrastructure management. -
Sustainability
By reducing fieldwork and service disruptions, DInSAR lowers the carbon footprint, supporting sustainability and environmental stewardship in infrastructure management.
Conclusion
Enhancing Railway Safety and Resilience
Geofem’s pilot study highlights the transformative impact of DInSAR technology in railway monitoring. By leveraging satellite data, Northern Ireland’s railway network can be monitored with unmatched accuracy and efficiency.
This remote approach enhances passenger safety, reduces service disruptions, and lowers maintenance costs. Additionally, DInSAR’s sustainability aligns with environmentally responsible infrastructure management.
With its ability to combine historical analysis and real-time monitoring, DInSAR provides a scalable, cost-effective solution for rail and other critical infrastructure.
Want to learn more? Contact Geofem today to discover how InSAR can support your geotechnical needs.
