Determination of the tram track axis using a multi receiver GNSS measurement system

Abstract

This article refers to research, that has been conducted by an interdisciplinary research team from the Gdańsk University of Technology and the Maritime University in Gdynia since 2009. These investigation concerns the determination of a railway track axis using the mobile satellite measurement technique. Following the dynamic development of GNSS techniques, that could be seen in the last decade, the team carried out further experiments aimed at developing an effective measurement method. Using the acquired experience in this period, another measurement campaign was carried out on the tram tracks in Gdansk. The main goal of these measurements was to check how the new assumptions regarding the method of mounting the antennas as well as their placement on the measuring platform will work in various field conditions. For this purpose, ten sets of GNSS receivers offered by two independent manufacturers – currently market leaders – were used. The choice of testing track section made it possible to analyze the repeatability of results obtained from multiple measurements in conditions of varying GNSS signal availability. The article presents in a synthetic way the course of this research and the obtained results. Keywords: Tram track; Satellite measurements; Accuracy analysis