Automatic operational diagnostics of tram tracks under load

Despite existing for a long time, tramway transport is still an efficient means of urban public transport, which corresponds to the modern trend in the electrification of transport. The key factor is to ensure safe, economical, fast, but also convenient public transport. A track gauge is one of the most important operating parameters that has a major impact on all of the above requirements. This key parameter, which contributes to the numerical expression of the running state of the rail track, is usually only checked by manually movable gauges and only rarely, and often only at selected places on the track. Furthermore, the presented method of measuring the gauge or profile of the track represents a unique technology, which may be integrated into the undercarriage of the tram car. The advantage is both significantly more comfortable automated measurement, which can be easily performed throughout the track, and the method of measurement, which is performed directly in the area below the undercarriage and the track is under a real operating load during the measurement. In addition to detecting potentially dangerous or uncomfortable track sections, the obtained results may also be used in the framework of long-term monitoring to predict track development. This can serve for long-term planning and streamlining of the maintenance of the tram track. The main idea of this low-cost solution is, besides the measuring principle itself, a sophisticated calibration method, which makes it relatively easy to install the equipment on the tram without requiring complicated handling or 3D measuring procedures.