Zur Hauptnavigation ( 0) Zur Subnavigation ( 1) Zum Seiteninhalt ( 2) Zur Suchmaske ( 3) MENU Multichannel GPR technology detects munition remnants and other obstacles All categories Multichannel GPR technology detects munition remnants and other obstacles Testing is being performed with this 500-pound British aerial bomb from the Second World War. It is 120 cm long and has a diameter of 35 cm; the bomb no longer contains any explosive substance, i.e. it is hollow inside. An example of measuring data visualisation. It was possible to remove the signal components of the sleepers in one section and to provide a differentiated view of the aerial bomb (in orange). Research partners Share this article: .st0{fill:#070156;} .st0{fill:#070156;} .st0{fill:#070156;} .st0{fill:#070156;} Foreign objects in the ballast bed and track substructure, such as munition remnants, can significantly restrict or delay maintenance work. Metal detectors, magnetometers, and conventional GPR systems cannot reliably detect objects in the track bed. Thanks to our multichannel GPR technology with increased scanning density, a tomographic analysis of the track is possible and, by extension, localisation is much better. To prevent costly delays during tamping or ballast bed cleaning, you should be aware of any foreign objects buried under a track before maintenance begins. In particular, dud bombs and other UXO (unexploded ordnance, i.e. munitions that have not exploded) result in time-consuming interruptions and pose a danger to people. Multiantenna radar technology GPR (ground penetrating radar), also known as georadar, is used to record the condition of railway lines continuously. Until now, it was only possible to depict three track profiles: in the centre of the track as well as to the left and right of the line. With our newly developed multiantenna radar system, it is possible to simultaneously record up to 30 profiles, providing a tomographic sectional view of the track. Further, a strong increase in the lateral resolution (factor of 10) offers new options for interpreting data. This technology is much better at locating and mapping weapons (bombs, munition containers, etc.), rubble, cables and wires. Tests for detecting foreign objects and dud bombs We put the performance of multichannel radar technology to the test using various objects. Initial testing with smaller objects was successful: metal containers buried at a shallow depth were detected in the ballast bed. A defused aerial bomb was buried under a test track as part of subsequent testing. The signals clearly indicated the presence of a larger foreign object. Based on the radargrams, it is not always possible to distinguish between munition remnants, dud bombs, and harmless foreign objects. However, the high contrast indicates that the obstacle is most likely a metal object. In addition, the measuring data make it possible to differentiate between accumulated water and mud deposits. This technology can reliably map large objects in the track, regardless of whether they are dud bombs or large pieces of concrete. The measuring data is visualised thanks to anomaly segmentation and labelling, i.e. colour highlighting. This highlighting also makes it clear for non-experts that a foreign object has been detected. Similarly, this provides the basis for automated analysis in the future. Further information Show all articles Radar: the "eye" of the machine The word “radar” may make you think of air travel and parking assistants. But radars have also entered the field of railway, specifically in the form of ground penetrating radar (GPR), also known as georadar. INFRASTRUCTURE GPR brings technological leap in track inspection The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is gaining importance in track maintenance. Providing high-resolution data on individual track components, it allows taking all relevant parameters into account. This holistic approach benefits cost-efficiency. INFRASTRUCTURE Research developments for the urban rail Traffic in tram, light rail and metro networks causes a variety of damage to the rail head. Mechanical stress results in scoring, corrugations, waves, and much more. For decades, preventive, or at least regular, rail grinding has been considered an effective countermeasure. INFRASTRUCTURE Quiet rails thanks to ATMO Rail grinding helps prevent unwanted noise, vibrations, and consequential damages. Plasser & Theurer’s newly developed rail grinder for operations in tramway and urban railway networks combines two work processes. INFRASTRUCTURE How do the Dynamic Track Stabiliser and ballast interact with one another? Does the Dynamic Track Stabiliser (DTS) have the potential to be more than a ballast compacting machine? Could it also be a measuring device for monitoring ballast compaction? An ongoing research project conducted by the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) is examining these questions. INFRASTRUCTURE Artificial intelligence for more efficient ground-penetrating radar analysis Ground-penetrating radars measure the condition of track substructure. However, the analysis of this data is very time-consuming. Could the use of AI reduce this effort? Plasser & Theurer is part of a research group that took on the challenge of answering this question. They discovered that, among other things, a clever application of filters facilitates the analysis. INFRASTRUCTURE Tamping tine and ballast: teaming up Thanks to a brand new measurement and analysis method, it is now possible for the first time to observe the movement behaviour of ballast throughout the entire tamping process. In addition, the method provides an unprecedented level of detailed insight into the ballast condition. The tamping tine is particularly important here: the new method allows it to function as both a working and measurement tool. INFRASTRUCTURE WCRR 2019 Tokyo: On the state of the art 1994 marks the birth of the WCRR. Held in Paris, it was initiated by several major railway companies. Ever since, the world’s probably most important railway expert convention has been travelling around the globe. In 2019, it pitched its tents in Tokyo for the second time. Over 1,000 participants, 630 submitted research papers and around 300 presentations in just 4 days: the variety of topics is as remarkable as the in-depth expertise presented. INFRASTRUCTURE Dynamic stabilisation of new track types in the laboratory In her doctoral thesis Sophie Feurig focuses on a detailed analysis of dynamic track stabilisation in the laboratory. An in-depth understanding of the system behaviour of the ballasted track sparks not just her enthusiasm. INFRASTRUCTURE Tracking ballast Track ballast has many functions in the permanent way system. It is, amongst others, responsible for the load transfer into the subgrade, the drainage of the superstructure and the reliable position of the track panel. Even so, ballast is compared to other track components still a relatively unresearched area. With the use of the Discrete Element Method - a numerical calculation method for computing a large number of particles - and powerful computers it has now become possible to reliably determine the path of movement as well as the interaction of particles. Plasser & Theurer utilises this technology to gain new insights into the permanent way and so to optimise its track construction machines even further. INFRASTRUCTURE EM100VT – The future of track inspection starts today 523 track kilometres, 224 turnouts, 80,000 sleepers and far more than 325,000 tonnes of ballast: These are the hard facts about the renewal of the high-speed line 1733 between Hanover and Würzburg. Research Partner: Obermeyer INFRASTRUCTURE Where to find us Head office Johannesgasse 3 1010 Wien Austria Tel.: +43 1 51572-0 Fax: +43 1 5131801 Mail: export@plassertheurer.com Works Pummererstraße 5 4021 Linz/Donau Austria Tel.: +43 732 7666-0 Fax: +43 732 775148 Works Wintergasse 56 3002 Purkersdorf Austria Tel.: +43 2231 63662-0 Fax: +43 2231 63662-47 Plasser & Theurer online Important links Machines Career Press Privacy notice Impressum Legal notice Terms and Conditions Plasser & Theurer uses cookies to allow you to use the website as conveniently as possible. Click “Accept all cookies” to accept the cookies and continue browsing our website or click “Cookie settings” to adjust the cookie settings individually. 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