Extended Field Trialing of LRAIL for Automated Track Change Detection (№10681305)

This experimental work is a continuation of research and development begun under FRA Contract # DTFR53-17-C-00005 awarded to Pavemetrics Systems, Inc. The objective of this next project is to continue software development and to extend the field testing of automated change detection technology to revenue track segments to demonstrate the system"s efficacy for automated detection of safety-related changes in the track structure and surrounding areas along the right-of-way. This project directly supports FRA mission to develop innovative safety technologies to ensure the safe and efficient operation of railroads. The primary outcome of the proposed project will be a more realistic assessment of the potential value of deploying change detection technology under typical field inspection conditions. It is expected that this testing will also further refine the change detection algorithms that were developed in the initial project. All field work will be conducted in partnership with Amtrak engineering.

There are many sources for track inspection measurement and machine vision technologies in the railroad industry. These commercially available systems are designed to detect and measure characteristics and features of track systems and to report this information in a quantitative manner. All similar systems require human decision making to function. These systems are not appropriate for this research. FRA seeks a system that automatically detect changes without direct human involvement. In addition, these changes are not necessarily measurable, the results cannot always be quantified. To modify these existing systems would require a wholesale re-design effort. This effort would add cost to the research above the cost of working within the capabilities of Pavemetrics. Moreover, Pavemtrics" 3D laser triangulation hardware is unique and provides added resolution to the track system that is not available from sources of traditional inspection and/or machine vision technologies. FRA feels that this sole source, fixed-price approach provides the best value to the Government.