Condition Monitoring, Detector Data and Information Architecture in North America

Abstract

Condition and performance monitoring technology has expanded its reach into daily usage by railways in North America and the data has been weaved into the fabric of maintenance by using big data architecture. The technology uses wayside or trackside detection systems that monitor the health of equipment components as each train passes. The systems measure component performance or identify component condition such as bearings, wheels, brakes, and trucks (bogies). This paper provides recent advances in detectors, the data management systems, and the data architecture that allow timely maintenance policies, which are moving from reactive to preventive and predictive.