Track Monitoring System
Applications
The Track Monitoring System helps maintain the safety of railroad tracks by monitoring settlement and twist. The track monitoring systems are installed when nearby construction activities, such as tunneling or excavation, may affect the safety of the tracks. The systems are also installed on tracks that pass through areas endangered by landslides or washouts.
Settlement of the track is monitored by linked track-settlement sensors that are mounted directly on the ties (sleepers). With continuous track, the track settlement sensors are anchored in the ballast instead. Twist in the track is monitored by track twist sensors mounted on the long-axis of the ties.
All sensors are connected to an automatic data acquisition system. The data acquisition system can be programmed to provide local alarms. When external communications links are possible, data are
transmitted to a data center where the Atlas web-based monitoring system is installed. Atlas processes the data, checks for alarms, and provides plots of settlement and twist. If movement exceeds safe limits, Atlas can notify safety officials via email or text messages sent to mobile phones.
Features
- Heavy duty, stainless steel construction, made to withstand vibration and reballasting activities.
- Continuous, unattended monitoring, with local alarms possible.
- Trend graphs, profile plots, and alarms can be made available on the internet via the Atlas server.
- Proven in installations in the US, UK,Canada, Switzerland, and Australia.
For more information
Please download the Track Monitoring System datasheet. It can be viewed and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Track Monitoring System Specifications
| SYSTEM CONFIGURATION | |
|---|---|
| A track monitoring system consists of settlement sensors and twist sensors. Settlement sensors are mounted parallel to the rails and typically linked together. Twist sensors are mounted parallel to the ties. | |
| Settlement Sensor | Sensors can be placed up to 3m apart. Each sensor includes signal cable to connect to the next sensor. Settlement sensors require a mounting bracket and gauge tubing |
| Mounting Bracket | Bracket includes swivel for settlement sensor and telescoping socket for gauge tube. Order one mounting bracket for each settlement sensor |
| Gauge Tubing | Gauge tubing defines the gauge length of the settlement sensor. Order one gauge tube for each settlement sensor |
| Twist Sensor | Twist sensors can be placed within 3m of any settlement sensor. Each sensor includes signal cable to connect to a settlement sensor. Twist sensors are supplied with a mounting bracket and do not need gauge tubing |
| Jumper Cable | The jumper cable connects the sensor bus to a data logger. Order one jumper cable per installation. |
| End Plug | The end plug terminates one end of the sensor bus. Order one end plug per installation. |
| Other | Screws or anchor bolts are required to fasten mounting brackets to rail ties. These are best sourced by the user |
| Part Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Track Settlement Sensor | 97806550 |
| Gauge Tubing, 3m / 10 ft | 97806558 |
| Mounting Bracket | 97806555 |
| Track Twist Sensor | 97806570 |
| Bottom Plug | 57804510 |
| Jumper Cable, 25 m | 57804525 |
| Sensor Type | MEMS tilt sensor . Thermistor for temperature readings |
| Requirements | Accepts power input between 8 to 15 Vdc. Outputs ±2.5 volt differential signal. Biaxial version contains two tilt sensors. |
| Calibrated Range | ±10 degrees |
| Resolution | 9 arc seconds or 0.04 mm/m using the CR1000 data logger. |
| Sensor Repeatability | ±22 arc seconds or ±0.1 mm/m, subject to site conditions |
| Calibration | 11-point calibration taken at three temperatures from -8 to 40 °C |
| Signal Cable | Cable for 3m gauge length supplied with each sensor. Connectors are fully waterproof. |
| Data Loggers | |
|---|---|
| M-Logger | The M-Logger is specifically designed to read MEMS sensors. It can operate a single chain of up to 16 sensors. The M-Logger can also be used to verify operation of the sensors at installation time. |
| Campbell Scientific CR1000 | The Campbell Scientific CR1000 data logger can operate up to 6 chains of serial sensors. The CR800 logger can operate 3 chains of serial sensors. |
| Atlas Web-Based Monitoring |
|---|
| Readings retrieved from the data logger can be processed manually by spreadsheet or automatically by the Atlas web-based monitoring system. See separate data sheet for details. |
