Detecting Fouled Ballast Using Forward-Looking Infrared Radiometer (FLIR) Technology

Details

• Creators:
  Ahmadian, Mehdi ; Jones, J. Bernard ; Tan, Yongwen
• Corporate Creators:
  Virginia Tech University. Mechanical Engineering Department ; University Transportation Center on Improving Rail Transportation Infrastructure Sustainability and Durability. USDOT Tier 1
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program ; United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Ballast (Railroads)
  • Detection and identification technologies
  • Feasibility analysis
  • Infrared detectors
  • Laboratory tests
  • Radiometers
  • Thermal imagery
• Publication/ Report Number:
  VT-2
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Final Report
• Corporate Publisher:
  Virginia Tech. Center for Vehicle Systems and Safety Railway Technologies Laboratory
• Abstract:
  The feasibility and limitations of Forward Looking Infrared Radiometer (FLIR) Aerial Technology for detecting fouled ballasts is studied in this project. The method is intended to provide an efficient and ready-to-use approach that can help the railroads detect fouled ballasts in their early stages. Ballast fouling commonly occurs as a result of fine particles clogging off water passage through them. Subsequently, this results in trapped water that often results in poor foundation strength, rotting of the ties, and other ill effects.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  69A3551747132
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/78529/dot_78529_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 4.83 MB]
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:7fdb241f9f3d6e266ca4141df1ed9bb967046bcf4b61846e583f2042eabf57571cbd354ee5c4e015e1f9319ff79b64f7cbb8386e398dda654f812870cd3b167f