Railway Sciences (Nov 2024)
Development of track geometry inspection equipment for high-speed comprehensive inspection train in China
Abstract
Purpose – This study aims to analyze the development direction of track geometry inspection equipment for high-speed comprehensive inspection train in China. Design/methodology/approach – The development of track geometry inspection equipment for high-speed comprehensive inspection train in China in the past 20 years can be divided into 3 stages. Track geometry inspection equipment 1.0 is the stage of analog signal. At the stage 1.0, the first priority is to meet the China's railways basic needs of pre-operation joint debugging, safety assessment and daily dynamic inspection, maintenance and repair after operation. Track geometry inspection equipment 2.0 is the stage of digital signal. At the stage 2.0, it is important to improve stability and reliability of track geometry inspection equipment by upgrading the hardware sensors and improving software architecture. Track geometry inspection equipment 3.0 is the stage of lightweight. At the stage 3.0, miniaturization, low power consumption, self-running and green economy are co-developing on demand. Findings – The ability of track geometry inspection equipment for high-speed comprehensive inspection train will be expanded. The dynamic inspection of track stiffness changes will be studied under loaded and unloaded conditions in response to the track local settlement, track plate detachment and cushion plate failure. The dynamic measurement method of rail surface slope and vertical curve radius will be proposed, to reveal the changes in railway profile parameters of high-speed railways and the relationship between railway profile, track irregularity and subsidence of subgrade and bridges. The 200 m cut-off wavelength of track regularity will be researched to adapt to the operating speed of 400 km/h. Originality/value – The research can provide new connotations and requirements of track geometry inspection equipment for high-speed comprehensive inspection train in the new railway stage.
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