Rail Maintenance Using Advanced InSAR Monitoring
California Rail - California, USA
The 55-kilometre rail corridor between Hercules and Hayward is a crucial transportation link. Regular monitoring is essential to maintain its safety and reliability. However, traditional visual inspections can only occur periodically, leaving the railway vulnerable to undetected ground or track movements between inspections.
From December 2018 to November 2021, researchers utilised advanced remote sensing techniques to collect displacement data. This comprehensive dataset allowed them to identify trends and pinpoint sections of the railway experiencing higher displacement rates. Armed with this information, stakeholders could implement preventive measures, mitigating the risk of costly failures.
Highlights
The Importance of Regular Rail Maintenance
Railway infrastructure is the backbone of many transportation networks, supporting both freight and passenger services. Regular maintenance ensures the safety, reliability, and longevity of rail systems. However, maintaining a rail corridor, particularly one as significant as California’s Hercules-Hayward link, is no small feat.
The Costs of Maintenance
The cost of maintaining railway infrastructure can be substantial. According to the American Public Transport Association (APTA), annual maintenance costs for railways in the United States range between $5,000 and $12,000 per mile. For a 55-kilometre (approximately 34-mile) corridor, this translates to an annual expenditure of $170,000 to $408,000.
While these figures might seem high, the consequences of neglecting maintenance are far more severe. Poorly maintained tracks can lead to accidents, delays, and disruptions, all of which carry significant financial and human costs.
Benefits of Remote Sensing in Rail Maintenance
Between December 2018 and November 2021, Geofem collected three years of displacement data along the Hercules-Hayward corridor without the need for on-site visits. This approach provided several key benefits:
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Uninterrupted Rail Operations: By eliminating the need for physical surveys, the monitoring process did not disrupt rail services, ensuring minimal inconvenience for stakeholders.
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Comprehensive Monitoring: Continuous data collection allowed researchers to identify trends and anomalies over time, providing a more accurate picture of track stability.
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Targeted Preventive Measures: Analysis revealed specific sections of the track experiencing higher displacement rates. By focusing maintenance efforts on these areas, stakeholders could address potential issues before they escalated into significant problems.
Geofem’s use of DInSAR for rail infrastructure monitoring has demonstrated the transformative potential of remote sensing in predictive maintenance. By identifying high-risk areas and enabling targeted interventions, this approach enhances the safety, reliability, and cost-efficiency of rail operations.
For more information on how Geofem and the GAIA Project are revolutionising infrastructure monitoring, contact us today.
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