DIAGNOSTICS

The increase of the railway systems availability, the improvement of safety features and the reduction of the maintenance costs strictly depend on the appropriate use of diagnostic methodologies.

Infact, the intensive use of railway infrastructure makes high demands on the monitoring and maintenance of the rail network. Regular status checks covering infrastructure, rolling stock, and wheel/track and pantograph/overhead line interfaces are of key importance. Special tests covering vibrations, component stresses and track subsidence complement the general measures in place for the maintenance and further development of the railway infrastructure.

Measurement and Diagnostic Technologies can make a significant contribution to the monitoring and control of railway infrastructure.  These technologies allow to implement the continuous monitoring of the status of the railway components as well as of the rolling stock and also realize predictive diagnostic functions in order to optimise the maintenance works planning by means of a condltion-based maintenance strategy.