Queensland Rail is using state-of-the-art ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology to map unseen parts of 4600 kilometres of railway track across Queensland.
Queensland Rail has engaged technology company Zetica to conduct the extensive radar survey, unearthing critical insights into the condition of the network in a move that bolsters the safety and reliability of services.
The results from the GPR survey will give insights into the condition of thousands of kilometres of railway and is one of several projects being undertaken by the operator to improve rail infrastructure state-wide.
As well as track evaluations, the project provides extensive asset maps and imagery of some of the busiest parts of the railway.
The GPR was mounted on a Queensland Rail track vehicle and taken on an extensive journey from February to April this year, mapping and collecting data on key sections of the network.
The operator will now analyse the detailed results of the survey, which will be a vital resource across the business.
Queensland Rail Head of SEQ Neil Backer said the radar helped to build a more accurate picture of the network, which was valuable to the safety and performance teams.
“Through the use of ground-breaking technology, we’re now able to pre-empt potential track problems years in advance,” he said.
“Without this technology we would need to undertake asset sampling and therefore require access to large sections of track, meaning closures and disruptions to services – now we’re getting pin-point accurate data to allow us to perform ballast and formation assessment without those extensive track closures.
“The data will be used to perform AI-driven sleeper and fastener identification, and panoramic track imagery and several other deliverables will help achieve better services across our network.
“The radar was mounted on a track vehicle and taken on a 4600km journey covering the entirety of Queensland Rail’s SEQ network, and major sections of our regional network.
“Aside from offering an incredible driver’s cab view of some of the most picturesque parts of Queensland, it’s given us an in-depth track view dataset, and imagery similar to Google Street view but for rail, which will be vital resources across the business.”
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