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KIT and AVG want to improve rail transport with intelligent sensors and machine learning
KIT press release: In a joint research project, the Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft mbH (AVG) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have equipped a light rail vehicle “tram” with extensive measurement technology. This is intended to generate data about environmental influences, the mode of use or the state of the rail. The aim is to optimize rail transport with machine learning techniques in terms of safety, energy efficiency and comfort. Now the Karlsruhe measuring tram has started operation.
By regularly inspecting their track systems with metered trains, the Karlsruhe transport companies guarantee the safety of their passengers. However, as a research project by the Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft mbH (AVG) in cooperation with the Institute for Railway Systems Engineering of the Institute for Vehicle System Technology at KIT (FAST) shows, measuring trains in the age of digitization can do much more than just examine tracks for existing damage : “We have equipped a light rail vehicle with the latest measurement technology,” says Professor Peter Gratzfeld from FAST. “This measuring tram will now produce data for our project, which we evaluate using current IT methods such as machine learning. Our goal is to improve the safety, energy efficiency and comfort of rail transport and to minimize wear. ”
For the AVG, the cooperation project adds real added value, says AVG technical director Ascan Egerer: “The installed sensors give us a wealth of valuable information on how our vehicle behaves in daily use and what external influences it continuously exposes is. The more we learn about the vehicle, the better we will be able to optimize our trams, as well as the infrastructure and operations. “The Karlsruhe measuring tram will be used in regular passenger service from now on.
Safety, energy efficiency and comfort are the focus
In order to detect damage to the infrastructure in the future even earlier than with conventional methods, acceleration sensors were attached to the bogies of the measuring tram. The researchers want to use this in conjunction with GPS data to make reliable predictions for the wear of the track systems. The energy efficiency could also be improved thanks to the measuring tram: Although the braking energy is already being fed back from trams to the trolley network, this only contributes to energy savings if another nearby tram can use this energy when accelerating. Especially in peripheral areas with a less well-developed network, up to 30 percent of the braking energy is lost as heat. On the basis of constant observation of parameters such as the overhead line voltage, the energy consumption of the vehicle as well as the power loss at the braking resistors, it should be checked at which points potentially stationary accumulators would be suitable for absorbing the braking energy.
Another important starting point for optimizing rail transport is passenger comfort. For example, acceleration sensors were also installed in the passenger compartment. Excessive acceleration can be perceived as unpleasant, especially when cornering, and with the data from these sensors, driver training could be designed in the future. For residents, in turn, the rail squeal, which frequently occurs in curves with low radii, represents a noise load. Measuring microphones in conjunction with GPS data, speed and other external conditions are used to analyze why and where squeaking occurs particularly frequently.
Data Mining should show hidden connections
The examples above show only a small selection of the large variety of data that is to be generated by the Karlsruher measuring tram. For example, CO2 sensors as well as instruments for measuring solar radiation or humidity are installed. “With the help of data mining techniques, it is planned to examine the data also on previously unknown relationships in order to increase safety and comfort as well as to reduce costs and energy consumption,” explains Gratzfeld. So passengers, operators and manufacturers alike will benefit from the rides on the Karlsruher measuring tram.
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