DETECTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF TURNOUTS USING EDDY CURRENT SENSORS

Abstract

This paper describes how new train operating systems, which allow for a more effective use of track infrastructure depend on a precise train location. Beyond measuring the vehicle velocity, an eddy current sensor system is able to detect events occurring along the track, e.g., the presence of turnouts. By a classification of turnouts combined with a subsequent map matching, the absolute position of the vehicle on a digital route map can be found without any expensive investment in track infrastructure. This paper presents a method used to detect and classify turnouts. Considering the irregularity of the continuous sensor signal, rail clamps and other kinds of events, e.g., turnout components, can be easily distinguished. A characteristic signature is taken from any event, which seems to be a turnout or a turnout component. These signatures are then compared with stored reference data by cross-correlation. Preliminary experiments indicate that a robust detection of an individual type of turnout is possible. Supplemented by the precise distance measurement of the eddy current sensor, the system is suitable for a broad range of railway applications.