Fast Track for Rail Surveys

From The Engineer:

Fraunhofer researchers are developing an optical measuring system that travels along rail tracks at night detecting obstacles far faster than current survey trains. Survey trains carry out regular inspections to detect large and small obstacles on and near the rails, such as leaning masts or overhanging branches that constitute a potential hazard. Regular inspections are essential as the track operators are responsible for the safety of passenger trains and extra-wide loads as well as for trains operated by other rail companies. However, many of these track maintenance vehicles are not authorised to travel on high-speed routes and have to creep along at 30km/h. Named LIMEZ III, the German rail operator's new optical-measurement survey train no longer holds up traffic on the tracks, as it inspects the route at 100km/h.

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