Education - Part 5C1
Maintenance of Way - Introduction
Introduction
Maintenance of Way (MOW) is non-revenue producing but it protects and enhances the potential for revenue generation by reducing accidents, speeding operation and providing a smooth, safe ride on the rails. MOW requires significant investment in specialized equipment and personnel.
MOW is not simply a discretionary task for railroads. All maintenance that can affect safe railroad operation is governed by laws, rules and regulations of the various governments under which a railroad must operate. In the United States the individual states will mandate various aspects of MOW a railroad must adhere to. At the national level, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Surface Transportation Board (STB) are the main agencies governing railroad operations. In addition, various standards and best practices are promulgated by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and by the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA).
Inspection
MOW begins with inspection. For most of the history of railroading, inspection has been done manually. While important, this method is time-consuming and expensive. A great deal of research and development has brought a continual improvement in inspection and detection of faults that need correction for safe and economical railroad operation. Some of the methods of detection and correction are discussed in following sections of Education - Part 5C.
Inspection usually requires the operation of specialized equipment on the tracks used by revenue-generating trains. As a consequence, maintenance is sometimes delayed and in any case requires careful planning and timing.
Recently, inspection tasks have been conducted from the air. The use of un-manned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) is now employed by a growing array of railroads to carry out inspection tasks without interrupting the flow of revenue-producing trains and without putting personnel in dangerous situations.
Keep in mind that most rail lines have open air-space above them that permits UAVs unobstructed views of the lines. In addition, the lines themselves may be used for navigation by the UAVs rather than depending on the Global Positioning System (GPS), although GPS is often used as well. Although UAVs are subject to Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations, by operating at low altitudes over railroad right of way, FAA clearance is usually granted.
UAVs can carry a variety of inspection devices to detect defects in trackage (wear, cracks, misalignment), problems in turnouts, road-bed issues, debris on the tracks, trespassers, and other related matters. UAVs may also be used for inventory control, especially in intermodal operations and in yards.
Remember that UAVs carry cameras that capture images of conditions on the tracks that can be immediately transmitted to flight operations centers enabling rapid assessment of issues and appropriate reaction to them. The images also document those issues for future reference.
For more information on railroad use of UAVs, consult BNSF, BNSF Flight Operations, Railway Monitoring, North Dakota and Vantis.
MOW begins with inspection. For most of the history of railroading, inspection has been done manually. While important, this method is time-consuming and expensive. A great deal of research and development has brought a continual improvement in inspection and detection of faults that need correction for safe and economical railroad operation. Some of the methods of detection and correction are discussed in following sections of Education - Part 5C.
Inspection usually requires the operation of specialized equipment on the tracks used by revenue-generating trains. As a consequence, maintenance is sometimes delayed and in any case requires careful planning and timing.
Recently, inspection tasks have been conducted from the air. The use of un-manned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) is now employed by a growing array of railroads to carry out inspection tasks without interrupting the flow of revenue-producing trains and without putting personnel in dangerous situations.
Keep in mind that most rail lines have open air-space above them that permits UAVs unobstructed views of the lines. In addition, the lines themselves may be used for navigation by the UAVs rather than depending on the Global Positioning System (GPS), although GPS is often used as well. Although UAVs are subject to Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations, by operating at low altitudes over railroad right of way, FAA clearance is usually granted.
UAVs can carry a variety of inspection devices to detect defects in trackage (wear, cracks, misalignment), problems in turnouts, road-bed issues, debris on the tracks, trespassers, and other related matters. UAVs may also be used for inventory control, especially in intermodal operations and in yards.
Remember that UAVs carry cameras that capture images of conditions on the tracks that can be immediately transmitted to flight operations centers enabling rapid assessment of issues and appropriate reaction to them. The images also document those issues for future reference.
For more information on railroad use of UAVs, consult BNSF, BNSF Flight Operations, Railway Monitoring, North Dakota and Vantis.
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