Derailment Detection Devices

This project envisages development of On-Board equipment for sensing derailment possibilities of rolling stock. Development includes appropriate instrumentation and signal processing strategy and its integration with the existing brake mechanism for minimizing losses due to dragging of derailed vehicle. Presently there is no instrumentation on Indian Railways for detecting derailment possibilities.

The process of derailment is characterized by heavy misalignment of the axle along with large oscillations and jerks. Vehicle dynamics software packages are being employed to carry out simulation of vehicles running on new or worn wheels. MEMS sensors for detecting vertical, horizontal accelerations and tilting have been identified and test runs are being conducted on Northern Railways. Recorded data is to be employed to arrive at a suitable criteria for derailment detection.

Placement of Sensors	Bogie acceleration at 60 kmph

Project Team