Pantograph Monitoring System announced at Nordic Rail 2011
06/10/2011
Lloyd’s Register has joined with Sensys Traffic AB to develop a new pantograph monitoring capability for the Dutch rail network.
Lloyd’s Register Rail Europe B.V. and Sensys Traffic AB, the Swedish provider of systems and solutions for road and rail traffic, have reached an agreement to develop a new Automatic Pantograph Monitoring System (APMS) for the Dutch rail market.
The condition of the pantograph – the instrument used by trains and trams to collect electric current from overhead lines – is crucial to the smooth running of an electrified rail service. Any damage or deterioration to either the pantograph, or the wire itself, can lead to de-wirements and lengthy service disruption.
The ability to closely monitor everyday wear and tear of the pantograph and its contact with the overhead wire means that asset managers can plan proactive maintenance for their vehicles and help protect and extend the lifecycle of the overhead wires, improving overall service reliability.
The system to be developed by Lloyd’s Register and Sensys will use radar technology and laser-based sensors to detect and trace the pantograph’s integrity, whilst high-speed cameras and image processing technology will assess the quality of the Pantograph’s carbon strip (the point of contact with the overhead wire) on each train as it passes.
The system is applicable to all rolling stock types operating at normal network speeds and, because it is non-contact, does not interfere with service operations.
APMS has been successfully introduced to parts of the network in Sweden, Norway and Finland by Sensys. This new agreement will bring that capability to the Dutch network via a new module within Lloyd’s Register’s Gotcha Monitoring System®, extending its existing range of monitoring services that can already provide accurate measurements of, amongst others, axle loads, load imbalances, wheel quality, train speed and noise emissions from passing trains.
Since its initial development in 2000, Gotcha has become Europe’s leading technology solution for wayside condition monitoring. It is currently used by infrastructure managers, train operating companies and maintainers of rolling stock in a number of countries including the Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, Poland, Morocco, Switzerland and Sweden.
Peter Boom, Gotcha Programme Manager, Lloyd’s Register believes that the opportunity to work with Sensys will help to further enhance an already successful asset monitoring service:
“When introducing new functionality to our Gotcha platform we always strive to integrate the ‘best of breed’ - a solution already proven on the market. The application of the APMS technology by Sensys in Scandinavia has delivered significant value to infrastructure managers in terms of reducing the risk of dewirement and its associated costs. We know that, through their expertise, we will be able to deliver similar benefits to the Dutch market.”
For more information about the Gotcha Monitoring Systems see: www.gotchamonitoringsystems.com