Flaw Detection in Rail Tracks
Technology Development Project
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, TRANSPORT CANADA, RSIP-ITR 2022-2024
This research and development project is being funded by Transport Canada’s Rail Safety Improvement Program (RSIP) and is a continuation of InspecTerra's work to develop the passive magnetic inspection (PMI) technology into an advanced field-testing platform for rail flaw detection.
The project involves developing and building an advanced PMI testing platform that can be operated at higher speeds in the field. The inspection platform will consist of a Fast Defect Detection (FDD) trolley that can be pulled behind a conventional locomotive, as well as the associated data transfer and processing software.
The general objective of the Project is to increase rail line safety in Canada by developing the PMI technology to identify defects with high accuracy and speed, while reducing inspection costs.
Initial proof of concept testing.
Software development and experimental testing of rail samples in the laboratory.
Testing the technology in the field.
Evaluation and Mapping of Flaws in Streetcar Rail Tracks
iCAMM SCANNING PROJECT in TORONTO, ONTARIO
This project was conducted in partnership with the NDT Group Inc. and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).
Streetcar tracks present an additional challenge to many NDT inspection methods as the space between and around the rails is covered with asphalt and/or concrete. The rail head profile can also be different, with “grooved” rails being used in addition to the traditional flat bottom rails.
Examples of different rail profiles used for streetcar tracks.
The TTC also uses a slightly wider gauge of 4 feet 10 7/8 inches (or 1495 mm) for it’s streetcar and subway tracks, as opposed to the standard gauge of 4 feet 8 1⁄2 inches (or 1435 mm).
The iCAMM technology was tested along a 120 m section of TTC's streetcar tracks (both East and West bound) on Dundas St. E. in Toronto, Ontario. Several unique issues were encountered with the data analysis due to interferences from external magnetic fields, such as below grade (or embedded) ferromagnetic objects (e.g., pipes, conduits, etc.), and metal edging along the rail profile.
Using iCAMM scanners to detect flaws in streetcar rail tracks.
The majority of the inspected rails had some degree of surface pitting, with some sections exhibiting corrugations and rolling contact fatigue (RCF) induced head checks, and even more significant head wear in some cases. There were also a few instances of internal defects/cracks identified in some sections of the scan area.
Examples of different types of flaws in the inspected streetcar rails.
The results of the project showed how these flaws and other features, such as welds, were readily identified and characterized using the iCAMM inspection tool. The iCAMM scanning also had minimal impact on regular streetcar operation, beyond normal street traffic control.
Download a summary of this project:
