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mardi 22 avril 2014

What Rail Track Inspection Entails

By Essie Osborn


The rail roads should frequently inspected for faults and potential hazards so that the lines are safe and supports very smooth and enjoyable rides. Other than human error that tops as the cause of accidents involving the trains, defects and shortcomings on the tracks is ranked as number two by the safety analysis federation. To counter this impact, a great deal of attention and plan is committed to rail track inspection and the techniques employed must be able to expose faults that are internal and external at the same time.

Nondestructive testing schedules are used as preventive measures against any possible accident or interruption of normal services. The goal is basically to pinpoint any possible weakness, damage, and any danger before it occurs.

Normally, the railway is exposed to harsh weather elements, soil erosion and many other destructive earth movements that easily damages its components or alters its original realignment. Worse still, occasional earthquakes tsunamis are also a major threat to safety of rail tracks. As such, there is up to date technology focused on ensuring that the lines are as safe as they should at all times.

Throughout the process of inspection, a lot of focus goes into exposing signs of wear and tear, areas affected by flooding and soil erosion and any weakness or vegetation overgrowth. It could be achieved with ultrasound technology that is best in exposing internal weaknesses that may not be visible through physical examination.

Currently, there are several firms that specialize in railway track maintenance. This means that a number of them have developed track record in the field. When hiring any firm for this kind of the job, the track record developed over their previous work is the main factor to look for. Other than impressive record with previous customers, the technology deployed in terms inspection vehicle, devices and other gadgets are also major factors to consider. Other aspects to consider are the level of experience of staff available for the job and the price quotation.

Through robotized inspections, several data are recorded and the line condition revealed during the inspection time. The ensuing estimations are then bolstered into a data framework from where the information is used to concoct a report that is then given to management team. Such report outlines several important factors including the areas to be repaired, the frequency of inspection work and what kind of repair work to be carried out.

This notwithstanding, it should also come up with a long-term overhaul plan and any design change. These are very expensive exercises and require huge investment hence the need for very early financial plan. The companies with necessary resources to take up this kind of jobs are also not so many and it is therefore best to contact a firm for the job early enough before things are out of hands.

There is no question that physical observation of lines is timed barred. The only way to go is by automated inspections. The issue however is just how thorough and efficient the firm given this job is. As much as possible, this activity should be done with no interruption of normal train services while ensuring that the lines are completely safe.




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