Track Measurement and Analysis
Rail networks have an increasing need to understand the status of their track, which allows them to implement more efficient maintenance operations. Pandrol is a world leader in track measurement, analysis, and inspection tools for railway networks across the globe.
Track Measurement and Analysis: improving the life cycle of your rail infrastructure
Track measurement and analysis has become a vital step in effectively maintaining railway infrastructure. By using data collected during operation, track operators can now identify maintenance issues in real time. Pandrol provides solutions for:
- Preventing expensive repairs - our range of track inspection technologies can identify defects before they turn into bigger problems, saving you costs and extending the railway’s lifetime.
- Understanding your infrastructure - we offer a range of inspection solutions including track stress analysis, ultrasonic testing of welds and rail, geometrical measurements, overhead line inspection, structure clearance, and more.
- Servicing and purchasing options - we give our customers the choice of purchasing track inspection tools to use themselves, or have one of our track experts come out to site to carry out the procedure.
Our products
Geometrical Rail Measurement
Overhead Line Inspection Equipment
Structure Clearance & Gauging
Track Geometry Gauges
Pandrol’s Track Geometry Trolley is a dedicated device for recording track gauge, cant, twist, distance, and GPS positioning of the track. It has been designed to be quickly and easily assembled on-site without the need for tools, instantly providing live data and allowing rapid identification of problems in the track.
Track Geometry Trolley
Ultrasonic rail testing is a full-track inspection solution that uses high-pitched waves to scan rails and identify internal flaws in need of repair. Pandrol teams are experts in the application of ultrasonic rail inspection, and our certified inspectors can provide comprehensive training tailored to your infrastructure, setting, and use case.
Ultrasonic Rail Testing
Ultrasonic Weld Testing
Pandrol VERSE® is a giant leap for track safety management, risk reduction and new track quality acceptance.
VERSE
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Why do railway operators rely on Pandrol for track measurement and analysis?
We have a team of level I, II, and III Non Destructive Testing certified experts who follow European ISO and AREMA standards. With more than 30 years of Non Destructive Testing experience, our staff can help you to protect your infrastructure.
We are a global specialist in track with our experience including fastenings systems, auminothermic welding, and electrification. This breadth of knowledge allows us to cover all track types and applications.
We’re committed to making a positive difference to the communities in which we operate. This commitment is matched with the Group Delachaux WECommunity program, focusing on the three themes of solidarity, education and the environment.
We’re part of the Delachaux Group, which is founded on the core value of innovation. We are a family-owned company and have been since incorporation in 1902, and have over a century of product development and engineering experience.
Although rail is one of the greenest modes of transportation, we want to go even further in looking after the planet. Our team works hard every day to reduce the environmental impact of building track infrastructure, which also helps improve working conditions.
We’re proud to offer a comprehensive end-to-end service to all of our customers. This includes everything from the initial design stages, right through to installation, operation, training, technical assistance, monitoring and ongoing maintenance.
The Importance of Track Measurement and Analysis
Rail networks play an increasingly important role in providing transportation for both cargo and passengers. So, what are the key factors that mean rail networks are now exposed to a higher risk of track degradation, making track maintenance more and more of a priority?
- Harsher environments caused by more extreme weather conditions
- Higher load conditions resulting from traffic growth
- Heavier loads, axles and vehicles
- Increases in speed driven by the push for high-speed rail networks
- Integration and development of metro systems within an urban environment
Objective Condition Assessment
Track analysis is a powerful tool for an objective assessment of railway track behaviour by enabling real-time data collection using inspection and detection of structural degradation. The purpose is to get a quality index by measuring different parameters of the track against optimal parameters.
Using the Latest Technology
Pandrol provides a suite of solutions to monitor individual components of the track and report back on any defects including rail temperature, condition, ground shift and weld integrity. Proactive track analysis is always effective in preventing larger issues in the future.
Increasingly Effective Maintenance
Track measurement and analysis improves the effectiveness of preventative maintenance with a shift in focus towards predictive maintenance and forecasting. It uses a combination of real-time data collection and computer simulations to understand the behaviour and performance of railway track under different conditions.
Resilient Design and Development
Pandrol develops the equipment and systems that impact resilient design, maintenance and repair regimes within the railway industry. We provide the tools and services that help our customers move the decision-making process towards more cost-effective management while underlining the importance of investing in future-proofing.
The Benefits of Track Measurement and Analysis
Pandrol proposes a range of control solutions including ultrasonic testing, track geometry, rail wear, structure clearance, and overhead line gauging, allowing network operators to quickly analyse their track in detail.
- Cost-effective: Unlike routine maintenance, proactive maintenance provides cost savings by identifying primary areas of concern. It streamlines track inspection and damage detection allowing you to prioritise both human and financial resources. Targeting resources to where they are most needed brings cost savings over time.
- Improved track longevity: Prevention is better than cure, right? Proactive maintenance allows you to look after your rail infrastructure so that it lasts for longer. As you look after and maintain your track, in the long term this saves on repair costs, and even more so when you factor in the amount of money lost during track downtime.
- Safety: The number one benefit of utilising track inspection is it ensures that important aspects of the rail infrastructure remain safe, minimising the possibility of incidents. Detecting the start of a failure and intervening at an earlier stage can only improve rail safety which is always a top priority.
- Extreme event preparation: Climate change has already begun to impact rail travel. With extreme weather events like heat waves, flooding, earthquakes and landslides becoming more common there are many recent examples of rail networks grinding to a halt. Proactive maintenance helps network operators to target the effects of extreme events at the planning stage and incorporate procedures to mitigate them.
