International Railway Journal - May 2008 - (Page 50)

Measuring & testing with current AAR interchange standards, coupled with thermal sensors that ensure that heat is being generated at the brake shoe/wheel tread interface (proving that a force is being applied to the wheel tread by the brake shoe), could objectively and consistently determine brake effectiveness on every wagon throughout the US freight network. An automated brake inspection system was designed and deployed by BNSF Railway (pictured left). This system consists of a machine vision component and a thermal sensing component installed on the inbound approach or entrance to a yard/ inspection point, and a thermal sensing component on the outbound or exit from the yard/inspection point. The machine vision component is capable of imaging brake shoes and assessing their condition and position. The thermal component measures heat between the interface of the brake shoe and wheel. These and other devices are gradually enhancing the objectivity and speed of vehicle inspections to the benefit of railways and their staff - and ultimately to the most important people of all: their customers. IRJ inspection requires that inspectors with varying degrees of experience and training make an assessment as to the effectiveness of the brakes and conditions that may otherwise adversely affect the operation of the brake system. The possibility for individual inspectors to interpret brake effectiveness in different ways introduces a degree of subjectivity to the process. In addition, environmental conditions such as inclement weather and reduced visibility due to night operations may affect the consistency of the inspection process. A network of automated systems that use machine vision to visually check brake shoe condition for compliance Train Systems INDUCTIVE COMPONENTS AG Inductive Components Inductive Components for Train Technologies for Train D i vi si o n Motor chokes Braking resistors Current transformers HF-Transformers Test equipment 3rd International Railway Industry Exhibition VISIT US! Hall 1 Stand 625 REO INDUCTIVE COMPONMENTS AG Brühler Strasse 100 D-42657 Solingen +49 (0) 212- 8804- 0 +49 (0) 212- 8804- 188 main@reo.de www.reo.de 20 - 22 May 2008 Turin, Italy 50 IRJ May 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of International Railway Journal - May 2008

International Railway Journal - May 2008 Contents This Month News Transit News Market News Technology News News Analysis Italian Railways on the Road to Recovery High-Speed: On the Home Straight Korea Develops High-Speed Ambitions Setting New Standards for New Rolling Stock India Solves Traction Motor Conundrum Weathering the Storm with Climatic Testing Technology Drives US Train Inspections Rendezvous Full Contact List Advertisers Index The Last Word

International Railway Journal - May 2008

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