Método de avaliação de dormentes ferroviários através de escaneamento pelo laser road imaging system

Abstract

The sleepers are key structural components for the proper performance of the permanent way, they provide fixed rails and ballast to dissipate stress applied on track. The most common material used to manufacture the sleepers is wood because it has physical characteristics that supply the structural function. However, with weather changes and use over time, the wood can deteriorate. When the wood ceases to provide the characteristics needed for use, the sleepers will become unserviceable. The verification of the sleepers condition is done through foot patrols, which is inefficient and unrealiable. This work studies the feasibility of replacing the inspection with a method that uses the Laser Road Imaging System. This system is used for monitoring freeways and is composed of 3D high-resolution cameras, sensors and laser perfilometers, all coupled to a vehicle called Digital Highway Data Vehicle (DHDV) and, in Brazil, called SCAN VIAS 3D, generating 2D and 3D images and the longitudinal and transverse profiles of the highway. Two attempts of data collection were done on the railroad stretch from Curitiba city. Performed after data collection, the images were processed by Multimedia based Highway Information System (MHIS) software. The railroad stretch has 24 useless sleepers, however this result was only accessible with the use of photographs taken on the spot, because the 2D and 3D images were not presented sufficient quality to identify defects in the sleepers. It was also possible to see some other uses for DHDV, beyond the present paper, such as the sleepers rate and analysis on the stretch fixation type.