Development of a high-speed overhead contact line measurement device for the Kyushu Shinkansen

Abstract

This paper on the development of a high-speed overhead contact line measurement device for the Kyushu Shinkansen is from the proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Computer System Design and Operation in Railways and Other Transit Systems, held in Beijing, China, in 2010. Shinkansen is the high-speed railway system in Japan. The authors note that, in the past, overhead lines were measured with special electric and inspection cars using measurement pantographs and lasers. A testing timetable had to be put together that dovetailed with the regular commercial service time. The Kyushu Railway Company (JR [Japan Railway] Kyushu) developed a device for measurement where imaging equipment is mounted to Shinkansen trains in commercial operation and uses image analysis to determine the dynamic state of overhead lines. The authors outline the benefits of this system, which include enabling increased efficiency in maintenance by measuring on the normal timetable during commercial service; reducing costs by eliminating the need for a special measuring car; and simplifying the components that make up the measurement device. With the imaging measurement device, train location information and speed information can be acquired from ATC (Automatic Train Control) and correlated with test results at the points measured for better data management. At present, this measurement device is used periodically, and the data acquired is utilized for maintenance and management of the overhead line equipment.