GOTCHA®: track-based monitoring system

The modern intelligent railway relies on sophisticated monitoring systems to allow informed decision making on asset management actions – especially in maintenance and renewals activities. Developed jointly with the Dutch engineering company Baas R&D, our GOTCHA system presents highly beneficial train information to operators and infrastructure managers.

The modern intelligent railway relies on sophisticated monitoring systems to allow informed decision making on asset management actions – especially in maintenance and renewals activities. Coupled with robust post analysis and decision support, effective measurement systems provide a real advantage.  Developed jointly with the Dutch engineering company Baas R&D, our GOTCHA system presents highly beneficial train information to operators and infrastructure managers.

How we can help

The Gotcha system’s wheel defect detection module detects every wheel of each passing train by means of track mounted optical sensors. The measured data is then processed by an advanced calculation programme before being combined with the identification tag of a locomotive or a coach. This determines precisely which wheels are damaged, and to what extent. With this information, maintenance systems can be changed from corrective to condition based.

The system’s in-motion weighing module determines the weight of a passing train and permits automated infrastructure charging based on actual train tonnage and mileage. Optional plug-ins to the Gotcha system, such as pantograph monitoring, axle bearing monitoring and sound measurements are currently under development.

What are the benefits?

• In many cases, wheels can last 25 to 40% longer when they are well maintained, As well as being cost effective, perfectly round wheels are essential for the preservation of bogies since wheels that are flattened to any degree give rise to rattling wheelsets and rapid wear, leading to considerably higher maintenance and replacement costs.
  

• Up-to-date information provided by Gotcha enables maintenance of rolling stock according to its condition. This vastly improves the operational reliability of the stock.
  

• Weather conditions in the autumn can contribute to delays when rain and leaves on the track combine with 'square' wheels causing slipperiness. Using Gotcha derived data, problem wheels can be recognised in time so that utilisation of wheel lathes can be managed.
  

• Based on Gotcha data, the utilisation of track and switches can be monitored. This information can be adopted for usage-based maintenance thereby saving maintenance costs and improving the reliability of track and switches.

Recent projects

• Following its rollout in the Netherlands, the Gotcha system is also in use or under trial with eight other administrations across Europe. These include a network trial in Sweden and operational stations in Poland and Switzerland.
  

• The Gotcha system has also been selected as the preferred system to provide data throughout the UK for Network Rail's Intelligent Infrastructure architecture scheme.
  

• Two Gotcha stations have been placed along slab track sections of the newly-built high speed line, HSL-Zuid, between Amsterdam and Paris. Track maintenance is contracted for the next 25 years and Gotcha will be used for asset protection. Gotcha data will also be used to help maintain rolling stock.
  

Website for Gotcha: www.gotchamonitoringsystems.com