In Brief

The Challenge

Railways are essential for passenger and goods transport. Railway infrastructure degrades over time but no country/private body has adequate resources to address it by replacing them immediately. Inspection and monitoring are the next best options to identify and prioritise repair or replacement while maintaining safety and serviceability. There is a need to improve the speed, ability to address diverse needs, accuracy, cost, personnel time and H&S (Health & Safety) in rail maintenance.   

Being unaware of this challenge can be catastrophic (in relation to loss of human lives and expensive assets). Failure of such infrastructure can erode public confidence in good governance and use of exchequer funds - as has been observed by recent bridge failures in several countries, while the Malahide Bridge viaduct collapse still remains fresh in our minds.  

There is a possibility of addressing these challenges via a digital shift towards monitoring, combining cutting-edge measurement systems with data analytics. Recent case studies with Irish Rail are already demonstrative of this shift and the potential benefits. We now need clear demonstrations and benchmarks to ensure that such a transformation is translated from science to practice.

The Solution

We propose a solution to the challenge by developing a bespoke measurement chain that transforms trains into moving sensors on the ageing infrastructure. This, combined with cutting-edge data analytics and signal processing, will establish the detection of several features of interest, including damage, risks, post-hazard assessments and efficacies of repair. The solution will speed up monitoring processes and reduce personnel time and their health and safety risks. It will also ensure that the current barrier of full-scale implementation is overcome with the support of our Societal Impact Champion, Irish Rail contributing to its long-term safety and performance aspects.

The Team

  • Team Lead: Professor Vikram Pakrashi, Associate Professor in Dynamics, University College Dublin 
  • Team Co-Lead: Dr Michelle Carey University College Dublin 

Societal Impact Champion

  • Dr Cathal Bowe, Irish Rail