Trying Harder To Measure Up

摘要

Track inspection has come a long way. Several decades ago, track inspectors filled out forms in long hand, used hand tools to obtain measurements and relied on a pick handle to find tie defects. Now, they can access electronic equipment and sophisticated techniques to locate rail defects more accurately and find flaws that years ago would have gone undetected and caused a derailment. From hi-rail vehicles with high-tech detection systems to rail-car-mounted equipment to handheld devices, railroads can tap a smorgasbord of technology to inspect track conditions, determine gauge strength and pinpoint rail defects.