The use of unmanned aerial vehicles in railways: tasks, benefits and advantages of implementation
Today, effectively protecting the entire railway network and detecting potential threats using traditional methods is challenging. To address these challenges, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being actively used worldwide to monitor and maintain railway tracks.
For instance, in the UK, Network Rail uses drones to inspect railway tracks, bridges, and tunnels. These drones help them identify defects more quickly and maintain traffic safety, while reducing maintenance costs. The German company Deutsche Bahn also utilizes drones for regular monitoring of its railway tracks and infrastructure. This allows them to minimize downtime during inspections and ensure the safety of passengers. In Australia, the company Queensland Rail has implemented the use of drones to quickly assess infrastructure damage caused by natural disasters. This helps them respond more efficiently and minimize disruptions to train services.
In this article, we will explore drone technology for railways, their advantages, and the technological and economic benefits derived from their implementation.
For instance, in the UK, Network Rail uses drones to inspect railway tracks, bridges, and tunnels. These drones help them identify defects more quickly and maintain traffic safety, while reducing maintenance costs. The German company Deutsche Bahn also utilizes drones for regular monitoring of its railway tracks and infrastructure. This allows them to minimize downtime during inspections and ensure the safety of passengers. In Australia, the company Queensland Rail has implemented the use of drones to quickly assess infrastructure damage caused by natural disasters. This helps them respond more efficiently and minimize disruptions to train services.
In this article, we will explore drone technology for railways, their advantages, and the technological and economic benefits derived from their implementation.
Current Issues in Railway Safety and Monitoring
Railway systems in many countries around the world, including those in the Persian Gulf region, face a number of significant challenges.
The high cost of traditional methods for monitoring and inspecting railway tracks
A standard inspection of 5 km of railway track takes about an hour and a half and requires at least two workers. Drones can autonomously complete the same task in 40 minutes, without human intervention. In hard-to-reach areas, drones are also more cost-effective than, for example, using helicopters.
Inaccuracy of data and a high risk of errors
According to the study «An analysis of fatal train accidents in Europe», human error is the most common cause of railway accidents. Even a single missed defect can result in a serious accident, leading to costly repairs. To ensure the accuracy of data collected and analyzed by railway surveillance drones, various technological solutions are used. In the case of Microavia's Drone-in-a-Box, the real-time kinematic system (RTK) plays a crucial role. It allows for accurate determination of the drone's launch location, with a margin of error of up to one centimeter.
Real-time kinematic (RTK) technology provides real-time location data correction when an UAV captures images of an object.
Real-time kinematic (RTK) technology provides real-time location data correction when an UAV captures images of an object.
Monitoring is irregular and data is received with delay
Staff changes, bad weather conditions or transport delays do not facilitate the rapid transmission of data. Drone railway monitoring operates autonomously according to a set schedule. They can transmit data in real time, allowing troubleshooting before issues become serious.
The presence of blind spots in hard-to-reach places on the railway
Railroad security drones easily reach remote and hard-to-reach areas. They are not afraid of mountainous areas. They easily inspect high bridges or unstable structures. They can easily move and maneuver in confined spaces. Dirt, wind, rain, and high temperatures are not a problem for the Microavia drone. Our drone has been extensively tested in the desert under temperatures of up to 45 °C.
Danger to employees
The use of drones for monitoring the railway eliminates the need for employees to be present in dangerous and hard-to-reach places. The UAV successfully replaces people when working at altitude and in extreme weather conditions. Thanks to drones, railway employees suffer fewer injuries. They are less likely to have accidents or incidents. And the company reduces the costs of insurance payments for employees.
The main functions and tasks of drones in railway monitoring
Railway Drone Inspection: perimeter security and access control
With the help of UAVs, it is possible to effectively patrol vast areas along tracks, as well as inspect critical railway infrastructure, such as high-voltage power lines, contact lines, paths, and switching points.
In addition, UAVs can help to record and quickly transmit information about unauthorized access or theft. As mentioned earlier, Microavia drones are equipped with RTK systems, which means they can navigate with high precision. The RTK system provides the drone with all the necessary data to instantly calculate its precise location in real-time.
Drones can detect suspicious activity even at night. The Microavia drone-in-a-box solution is installed every 30 km, allowing complete coverage of the entire railway and providing 24/7 monitoring.
In addition, UAVs can help to record and quickly transmit information about unauthorized access or theft. As mentioned earlier, Microavia drones are equipped with RTK systems, which means they can navigate with high precision. The RTK system provides the drone with all the necessary data to instantly calculate its precise location in real-time.
Drones can detect suspicious activity even at night. The Microavia drone-in-a-box solution is installed every 30 km, allowing complete coverage of the entire railway and providing 24/7 monitoring.
Therefore, the Polish freight rail transport operator, PKP Cargo, notes that the use of drones for track guarding has reduced the number of thefts by 44% over a year.
Monitoring the condition of the railway tracks
Drones can quickly inspect long sections of the track, checking them for a large number of defects at once. Here are some examples of how railway drones are used:
This practice has already been implemented on railway tracks in South Korea. According to the KRRI (Korea Railroad Research Institute), the defect detection rate exceeds 85%, images are recognized with a high probability of more than 90% and the location of defects is determined with accuracy of 10 centimeters, allowing for the creation of a damage localization map.
- Damage to switches and rails: UAVs with high-quality cameras and sensors can detect various defects, including cracks and corrosion.
- Spatial disturbances: the drone can detect irregularities in the railway bed, embankment erosion, or drainage problems.
- Vegetation overgrowth: drones can assess the vegetation conditions around the railway and plan clearance.
- Detecting sand: In the Middle East, drones are increasingly being used to inspect railways, specifically to detect sand on the tracks, which is a significant safety concern in desert regions.
This practice has already been implemented on railway tracks in South Korea. According to the KRRI (Korea Railroad Research Institute), the defect detection rate exceeds 85%, images are recognized with a high probability of more than 90% and the location of defects is determined with accuracy of 10 centimeters, allowing for the creation of a damage localization map.
Monitoring of railway construction works
During the construction of new railway lines and stations, drones can be used to:
- fly over construction sites, taking photos and videos to create 3D-maps and models. All the data collected by drones can be used for reporting, which helps to document the project and conduct subsequent analytics.
- monitor the quality of work, perform accurate measurements and identify inconsistencies in construction using high-precision cameras and sensors.
- monitor potential hazards on the construction site to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of workers.
The technical specifications of UAVs for railway applications
Modern drones used for monitoring and guarding railway facilities are equipped with advanced technologies. Let's look at the main technical characteristics that make drones effective in the railway industry.
Microavia’s drone-in-a-box can be placed in hard-to-reach and remote areas. It automatically launches in just 60 seconds and is always ready for a 45-minute continuous mission. Automatic battery replacement takes only 90 seconds, so the flight can last for hours.
1. High-resolution cameras and infrared sensors allow for monitoring at night and in conditions with poor visibility.
Microavia’s drone-in-a-box can be placed in hard-to-reach and remote areas. It automatically launches in just 60 seconds and is always ready for a 45-minute continuous mission. Automatic battery replacement takes only 90 seconds, so the flight can last for hours.
1. High-resolution cameras and infrared sensors allow for monitoring at night and in conditions with poor visibility.
2. Lidars. Lidar technology allows drones to create detailed three-dimensional maps of railway tracks and their surroundings. This data is particularly useful for monitoring the condition of the tracks and nearby infrastructure, such as detecting deformations or other potential issues with the terrain.
3. AI and machine learning technologies. The integration of autonomous drones-in-a-box, high-definition cameras and AI has made real-time information collection a reality for the railroad and highway industries.
4. Data analysis systems. Drones collect huge amounts of data that must be processed and analyzed. These solutions allow you to analyze the data, identify trends and predict potential problems.
5. Integration with the IT infrastructure. Effective use of data obtained from drones is impossible without integrating them with existing IT-systems. This allows for centralized data management and prompt response to results. For example, in Italy's railway network, drones have been integrated with the Bentley control platform, allowing for automatic transmission of real-time track status information.
6. Fully isolated infrastructure. Operation without Internet access for maximum security. Also the Drone in a Box system exemplifies multi-channel communication by seamlessly switching between Wi-Fi, LTE, and RF, effectively preventing communication breakdowns and ensuring real-time data transmission even in remote areas. This communication is vital for BVLOS operations, allowing the drone to return safely in case of communication failures. Microavia IT team has developed advanced data compression techniques, which are crucial for maintaining connection quality between the drone and the station under adverse conditions such as poor weather.
3. AI and machine learning technologies. The integration of autonomous drones-in-a-box, high-definition cameras and AI has made real-time information collection a reality for the railroad and highway industries.
4. Data analysis systems. Drones collect huge amounts of data that must be processed and analyzed. These solutions allow you to analyze the data, identify trends and predict potential problems.
5. Integration with the IT infrastructure. Effective use of data obtained from drones is impossible without integrating them with existing IT-systems. This allows for centralized data management and prompt response to results. For example, in Italy's railway network, drones have been integrated with the Bentley control platform, allowing for automatic transmission of real-time track status information.
6. Fully isolated infrastructure. Operation without Internet access for maximum security. Also the Drone in a Box system exemplifies multi-channel communication by seamlessly switching between Wi-Fi, LTE, and RF, effectively preventing communication breakdowns and ensuring real-time data transmission even in remote areas. This communication is vital for BVLOS operations, allowing the drone to return safely in case of communication failures. Microavia IT team has developed advanced data compression techniques, which are crucial for maintaining connection quality between the drone and the station under adverse conditions such as poor weather.
Benefits of Drone Automation in Railway Monitoring
So, let's summarize and highlight the main advantages of using drones:
- Regular automated video surveillance improves the security of sites — including intrusion, theft, vandalism detection.
- Saves time. Drones can collect more information and faster than humans, accomplishing the task completely autonomously.
- High-resolution data. Autonomous drones detect potential thieves and send real time video to command centers, alerting security personnel to the situation.
- Traffic Monitoring. Improve road safety, manage congestion, and use accurate traffic data analysis to develop effective traffic management plans.
- Safety. The use of drones reduces the risk for people working on the railway. Drone operators can assess the condition of the infrastructure without exposing themselves to danger, especially in cases involving high or hard-to-reach areas.
- Cost reduction. Implementing drones can lower operational expenses by reducing the need for maintenance personnel and improving the planning of repair and maintenance work.
FAQ:
Staff. Drone management and maintenance require a team, including drone operators, technicians, and data analysis. Training and training of employees is also required to create a headquarters responsible for coordinating the work of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Equipment. In addition to drones, you will need charging stations, flight control software, data analysis software, spare batteries, sensors, and cameras.
Communication infrastructure. It is necessary to ensure stable and fast data connections between drones and the central control system using mobile networks, satellite communications, or other data transmission technologies.
Equipment. In addition to drones, you will need charging stations, flight control software, data analysis software, spare batteries, sensors, and cameras.
Communication infrastructure. It is necessary to ensure stable and fast data connections between drones and the central control system using mobile networks, satellite communications, or other data transmission technologies.
Most existing drone systems require at least 35-60 min to recharge batteries after each flight. This can be a critical drawback in situations where continuous surveillance or emergency response is required.
Unlike these systems, Microavia’s drone-in-a-box system provides for automatic battery swapping, allowing the drone to return to operation almost instantly after a quick battery change for 90 seconds. The battery swapping functionality significantly reduces the drone’s downtime to a minimum increasing the overall monitoring efficiency.
Unlike these systems, Microavia’s drone-in-a-box system provides for automatic battery swapping, allowing the drone to return to operation almost instantly after a quick battery change for 90 seconds. The battery swapping functionality significantly reduces the drone’s downtime to a minimum increasing the overall monitoring efficiency.
The capabilities of drones vary in this regard. Microavia drones have been tested in real-world conditions ranging from -20°C to +45°C .
The project implementation includes the following stages:
1. Needs analysis and planning.
2. Demo flight and familiarization with the software at the site in Dubai.
3. Proof of Concept — testing at the client's facility.
4. Selection of equipment and technologies for the client's tasks.
5. Conclusion of the contract.
6. Production.
7. Staff training.
8. Deployment and integration.
9. Regular maintenance and updates.
1. Needs analysis and planning.
2. Demo flight and familiarization with the software at the site in Dubai.
3. Proof of Concept — testing at the client's facility.
4. Selection of equipment and technologies for the client's tasks.
5. Conclusion of the contract.
6. Production.
7. Staff training.
8. Deployment and integration.
9. Regular maintenance and updates.
If you have any questions, please submit a request, and our team will get back to you shortly
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