Transport Infrastructure Monitoring via Inertial Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current monitoring systems for transport infrastructures rely on user data, which can be inaccurate and incomplete, especially for detecting road potholes that are filled or superficially disguised, leading to potential underestimation of hazards and delayed maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system using a Cartesian reference system with accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect linear speed and angular velocity, combined with real-time video and environmental data processing via Open Source models like TensorFlow, to identify infrastructure failures and determine their danger level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If user data from mobile devices is used for monitoring, then system coverage is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate and incomplete data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/data-collection approach of gathering user-submitted photos with an inertial sensing system using accelerometers and gyroscopes. This substitution enables continuous, objective measurement of infrastructure conditions through physical sensors rather than relying on intermittent user observations, thereby improving both coverage and precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that collects data from multiple accelerometers and gyroscopes, processes it through algorithms, and generates consolidated failure detections. This intermediary layer aggregates data from multiple sources to overcome the limitations of individual sensor readings, improving overall measurement precision while maintaining broad coverage.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If intelligent computer learning systems are used for detection, then recognition capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates when potholes are filled or superficially disguised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces image-based computer learning systems with inertial sensing systems that measure physical vibrations and accelerations. This substitution detects failures through their mechanical effects on passing vehicles rather than through visual appearance, enabling reliable detection of filled or disguised potholes that would be invisible to camera-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of vehicle vibrations caused by road failures into a beneficial detection mechanism. By measuring the abnormal vibrations and accelerations that occur when vehicles pass over failures, the system transforms what was previously a nuisance (vehicle instability) into a reliable indicator of infrastructure problems, even when visually hidden.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple mobile device data streams are managed simultaneously, then monitoring coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data collection function from multiple user mobile devices and consolidates it into a single infrastructure-mounted sensor system. This extraction eliminates the complexity of managing multiple user devices and data streams while maintaining comprehensive coverage, as the single sensor system continuously monitors all passing traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple data collection functions into a single integrated sensor system mounted on infrastructure. Instead of coordinating data from numerous independent mobile devices, the system combines acceleration sensing, vibration detection, and location tracking into one unified platform, significantly reducing data management complexity while improving reliability.
4Device complexity
If intermittent user reporting is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to provide continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring by mounting sensors on infrastructure that continuously measure vibrations and accelerations of passing vehicles. This continuous data collection eliminates the intermittent gaps inherent in user-reporting systems, enabling real-time detection and response to failures while maintaining relative system simplicity through automated sensing rather than active user participation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system provides more accurate and continuous monitoring of transport infrastructures, enabling real-time data acquisition and timely warnings of potential hazards, improving road safety and maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the linear speed data of said moving means are detected by said accelerometer with respect to the xy plane of said Cartesian reference system xyz
Implementation Method 2
said angular velocity data of said moving means are detected by said gyroscope around the x, y, z axes of said Cartesian reference system xyz
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (1) for monitoring a transport infrastructure (I), such as a road, railway tracks and the like, on which moving means (10) can move, comprising: a remote detecting unit (11), associated with said moving means (10), comprising data acquisition means (111), for acquiring operational data, comprising one or more data related to the motion parameters of said moving means (10), and transceiver means (110), connectable to a telematics communication network (12); and a central control unit (13) comprising a processing unit (130) and transceiver means (131), connectable to said telematics communication network (12), wherein said central control unit (13) is configured to transmit, through said transceiver means (131) and through said telematics communication network (12), one or more predetermined reference thresholds of the motion of said moving means (10) to said remote detecting unit (11), and wherein said remote detecting unit (11) is configured to check if said one or more data relating to motion parameters of said moving means (10) are greater than said respective one or more predetermined reference thresholds, so as to determine failures (D) of said transport infrastructure (I). The present invention also relates to a method for monitoring a transport infrastructure (I).