Tetra Tech, Inc.

Darel Mesher

A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The orientation of the sensors allows for different data to be gathered regarding a particular rail including rail design specifications (gathered based on manufacturer markings detected and analyzed by the system), rail seat abrasion values based on direct measurement of rails from the oblique angle, and other analysis of rail features including joint bars, rail welds, bond wires, rail holes, and broken rails. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.

Apparatus and method for gathering data from sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a railway track

An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points. The LiDAR sensors are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.

System and method for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path

A 3D track assessment apparatus and method for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation data gathered from the railway track bed.

3D track assessment apparatus and method

An autonomous railway track assessment apparatus includes: a railway track assessment platform including a boxcar including an enclosed space formed therein; one or more power sources located on the boxcar; a controller; a first sensor assembly in electronic communication with the controller oriented to capture data from the railway track; an air handling system located on the rail car, the air handling system including an air blower and a heater/chiller; a set of air ducts in fluid communication with the air handling system and the first sensor assembly for supplying heated or cooled blown air from the air from the handling system to the first sensor assembly. Data from the railway track is autonomously collected by the first sensor assembly controlled by the controller and such data is stored on the data storage device.

Autonomous track assessment system

A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.

Debris deflection and removal method for an apparatus and method for gathering data from sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a railway track

A 3D track assessment method for identifying and assessing features of a railway track bed based on 3D elevation and intensity data gathered from the railway track bed.

3D track assessment method

An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two rear-facing LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points. The system also includes a plurality of high-resolution cameras for gathering image data from a rail corridor. The LiDAR sensors and the high-resolution cameras are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.

A broken wheel detection system for detecting broken wheels on rail vehicles even when such vehicles are moving at a high rate of speed by determining the positions, lengths, or orientations of structured light lines projected against passing wheels.

Broken wheel detection system

An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two rear-facing LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points and wherein neither scan plane intersects a main body of any rail car adjoined to a rear end of the railroad corridor assessment platform. The system also includes a plurality of high-resolution cameras for gathering image data from a rail corridor. The LiDAR sensors and the high-resolution cameras are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.

A system and method for inspecting a railway track a calculating plate cut and/or rail seat abrasion (RSA) based on rail head elevation and crosstie surface elevation measurements and an estimate of rail height.

Apparatus and method for calculating plate cut and rail seat abrasion based on measurements only of rail head elevation and crosstie surface elevation

A broken wheel detection system for detecting broken wheels on rail vehicles even when such vehicles are moving at a high rate of speed.

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Spruce Grove, Canada

Darel Mesher