Automated Railroad Track Data System Using Video and GPS
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for surveying and mapping railroad tracks and features are slow, expensive, and not scalable, posing a challenge in generating accurate and reliable data for Positive Train Control (PTC) systems, particularly with the need for extensive surveying and validation of over 100,000 miles of track.
Innovation Solution
A track data determination system that includes a video camera, geographic positioning unit, and recording device on a vehicle to capture and process video and position data, allowing for automated generation of accurate track and feature data, reducing human involvement and enabling scalable data collection and verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional manual surveying methods are used to map track lines and features, then accurate track position data can be obtained, but the process is slow and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical surveying operations with an automated vehicle-based system that uses video cameras, GPS receivers, and inertial measurement units to automatically capture and process track data, eliminating the need for manual measurement while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service data collection by automatically capturing video footage, recording GPS positions, sensing inertial data, and processing this information through algorithms to generate track centerline data without requiring manual intervention during the survey process
2Ease of operation
If manual vehicle operation is used for track surveying, then knowledgeable personnel can operate the vehicle, but coordination of track time with production operations is required and the process is not scalable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual vehicle operation with an automated system that collects and processes track data independently, eliminating the need for coordinated scheduling with production operations and enabling scalable deployment across extensive track networks
Solution Approach 2:
The surveying system operates autonomously without requiring coordination with production schedules, collecting data during normal track operations and processing it independently to generate usable track models
3Reliability
If extensive manual surveying is performed to map over 100,000 miles of track for PTC implementation, then accurate PTC data can be obtained, but the cost and time requirements are prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces extensive manual surveying operations with automated vehicle-based data collection that can rapidly traverse and map thousands of miles of track, reducing the time required to complete PTC implementation while maintaining data accuracy through integrated GPS and video processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be universally applicable across diverse track environments and conditions, capable of mapping various track features and configurations through a single integrated platform that processes video, GPS, and inertial data to generate standardized track models
Data Source
AI summary
A track data determination system including: a video camera device positioned on a vehicle to capture video data in at least one field-of-view; a geographic positioning unit associated with the vehicle to generate position data and time data; a recording device to store at least one of the following: at least a portion of the video data, at least a portion of the position data, at least a portion of the time data, or any combination thereof; and a controller to: (i) receive the video data, the position data, and/or the time data; and (ii) determine track data based at least in part upon the video data, the position data, and/or the time data. A computer-implemented track data determination method is also disclosed.