Advanced Railway Monitoring System

PolyU has developed an Advanced Railway Monitoring System which uses the FBGs optical technology for sensing multiple points with a single optical fiber that can span 100km, realizes long-distance, real time and multifunctional sensing. This advanced technology embeds hundreds of these micro sensors onto one single continuous optical fiber to provide just-in-time maintenance, and reduce the cost of maintenance and service downtime, as compared to conventional system which requires complex wiring.

By incorporating literally thousands of FBG sensors along railway tracks and trains, the system will have its own network of “optical sensory nerves”. Whenever the train wheels pass over rail locations fitted with FBG sensors, these advanced sensors will detect any shift in the wavelength signals, pinpointing large vibration locations, derailment risk or wheel/bearing failure on the train, or any other defects. The collected data can be analyzed continually on computers online, giving engineers immediate knowledge of the “health status” of both the train and tracks. The precision of the system enables a safer, more reliable and efficient railway network.