Engineers from Loughborough University and the University of Sheffield have partnered up to develop a new on-board system which allows trains to instantly detect leaves on the line.
The new system developed in partnership with engineering firm Perpetuum allows trains to identify low adhesion hazards. The new technology will detect low adhesion spots in real-time creating an up-to-date map showing any potential hazards on the UK’s rail network. To maintain safety and limit delays a minimum level of adhesion is key for braking and traction performance on trains.
Dr Chris Ward, Senior Lecturer in Control Systems Engineering at Loughborough University is leading the initiative and spoke on how the project could benefit the UK’s rail network.
Established sensing methods will be used by the new detection system to collect data. This data will then be processed using algorithms created by Dr Ward and his colleagues at Loughborough University.