Track Database Updates Using Spline Geometry and Offset Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Railroad track maintenance causes changes in feature geo-locations and geometry, requiring updates to track databases, but existing methods rely on GPS units, which may not be cost-effective or practical.
Innovation Solution
A method for updating track databases without GPS, involving measurement of feature geo-location changes using tools like tape measures or laser rangefinders, and storing new offset values, while utilizing a piecewise polynomial spline to represent track geometry and feature locations in a relational database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS units are used to measure feature geo-locations after track maintenance, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive GPS units with inexpensive, simple measurement tools like tape measures and laser rangefinders. These cheap tools are used to measure distances from known reference points to features, achieving sufficient measurement precision without the cost and complexity of GPS equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational approach where distances measured by simple tools are combined with known track geometry data (from piecewise polynomial splines) to calculate feature offsets. This intermediary calculation process bridges the gap between simple measurements and precise geo-location updates.
2Measurement precision
If GPS units are used to measure feature geo-locations after track maintenance, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive GPS units with inexpensive, simple measurement tools like tape measures and laser rangefinders. These cheap tools are used to measure distances from known reference points to features, achieving sufficient measurement precision without the cost and complexity of GPS equipment.
3Measurement precision
If traditional GPS-based methods are used for updating track databases, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but productivity decreases due to cost and complexity constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive GPS units with inexpensive, simple measurement tools like tape measures and laser rangefinders. These cheap tools are used to measure distances from known reference points to features, achieving sufficient measurement precision without the cost and complexity of GPS equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables maintenance crews to perform their own database updates using simple tools and the provided computational method. The piecewise polynomial spline representation allows the system to self-calculate updated feature offsets from the measured distances, eliminating the need for expensive specialized equipment and external services.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for updating a train track database after track maintenance so that the database correctly reflects any changes to track geometry or to the geo-locations of features along the tracks (e.g., grade crossings, mileposts, signals, platforms, switches, spurs, etc.). Advantageously, the techniques of the illustrative embodiment enable a track maintenance crew to cost-effectively obtain post-maintenance measurements for features without the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit (e.g., using a tape measure, using a laser rangefinder, etc.).