Train Scanner

Automated inspection of rolling stock will be one of the most important changes made possible by the current technology, and the benefits for the owner of the rolling stock include improved quality of maintenance and better usability of the rolling stock.

With the Train Scanner developed by VR FleetCare, the external condition of trains will be inspected automatically. Train Scanner is a SmartCare service product of FleetCare, and the service is developed in cooperation with the Finnish company Vire Labs providing IoT solutions based on machine intelligence.

In addition to enhancing inspection activities and improving safety, using the Train Scanner lowers the lifecycle costs of rolling stock. With the help of automated scanning, inspecting the train’s condition will be quicker and the inspection quality will improve.

Up until now, FleetCare’s Train Scanner has been only used in passenger trains but due to its scalability, the device can also be used to inspect any rolling stock. In border control, for instance, Train Scanner could be used at border stations to automatically detect whether the wagon gauge adheres to the requirements set by the authority or that the wagons are otherwise

Machine doing the work

A large part of rolling stock maintenance is manual inspection performed by human eyes, and the objective is to proceed towards automated and systematic processes.

Train Scanner is based on machine vision, shape recognition and artificial intelligence. The sides and roof of the train are scanned with a line camera with extremely high imaging speed and analysis accuracy. The resolution is approximately a few millimetres. The data from the scanner is instantly processed by means of edge computing that analyses the data and reports any deviations. The information is available to the owner and maintainer of the train within 10–20 minutes. The data is also stored in a cloud service for further analysis.

The shutter speed and resolution of the camera could be compared to photo-finish cameras used in sports competitions, for instance. The machine has been taught what the train should look like. If there are any deviations in the train, the scanner will detect it. Artificial intelligence becomes increasingly more accurate based on the feedback it receives from humans. The final objective is to be able to reliably detect any rolling stock malfunctions in such a way that human-performed inspections are no longer needed. The time saved can be used to repair the malfunctions instead of searching for them. The more trains pass by, the more accurate the algorithm becomes.

Affordable and easy to implement

By using the scanner, it is possible to standardise the inspection of train exteriors. Because the inspection is always uniform, automated scanning also improves the reliability and quality of inspection.

There are various benefits related to implementing the system. The condition of rolling stock is constantly assessed, and safety is improved as the system can detect the malfunctioning components of a bogie, for example, earlier than before. Traditional time and mileage based maintenances can be replaced with automatic, condition based maintenance, Faulty component will be maintained only when it is found faulty or even before it fails.

FleetCare’s intention has been to develop a cost-effective solution that is scalable and possible to implement quickly. The scanner poles can be installed practically anywhere, but a location with many trains running past is optimal.