AI VISION-BASED REAL-TIME WHEEL-RAIL MONITORING SYSTEM

Overview

AI Vision System Overcoming Limits of Wheel–Rail Contact Monitoring

Safe operation and maintenance require accurate observation of wheel–rail contact and vibration.
Conventional strain or laser measurements cannot continuously monitor in-service wheel–rail behavior.
Existing vision methods still have limited accuracy in wheel–rail clearance tracking.
Compact AI-vision modules near each wheelset monitor wheel–rail contact and clearance in real time.
The system regularly measures wheel profiles and gaps to assess running performance and abnormalities.

Core Competencies

Purpose
AI-vision system that measures wheel–rail clearance and wheel profiles in real time, overcoming the low accuracy of static or manual inspections and improving safety and maintenance efficiency.

Real-time Wheel–Rail Clearance Monitoring

Vision modules on each wheelset track wheel–rail contact and clearance during operation using an AI model trained on more than 20,000 tram-running images.

High-Accuracy Measurement and Calibration

Track tests up to 60 km/h verify clearance measurement error within 1 mm, with CAD-based comparison enabling regular automated calibration.

Integrated Compact Sensing Platform

Compact camera–lighting and processing modules allow easy onboard installation, accumulation of AI training data, and future linkage with autonomous maintenance vehicles.

Expected Benefits

Compact Smart Sensing
– Miniaturized, simplified sensors with accumulated AI data enable continuous performance improvement.

World-leading Vision Technology
– Advanced vision processing supports global leadership and mass production–driven cost reduction.

Unmanned Maintenance
– Enables unmanned, automated maintenance of wheels and other components.

Certifications

Lab verification of clearance measurement accuracy (≤1 mm)
On-track tram tests up to 60 km/h

TRL 8

Progressed to field operation verification
(pre-demonstration stage)

Contact

Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI)
Global Business Department
Dr. Sangyup Lee
E-mail: sangyuplee@krri.re.kr