On-board accelerometers in railway track condition monitoring. A systematic review

Monitoring techniques can improve the life cycle of railway infrastructure, increasing reliability, safety, and reducing costs. The use of on-board and wayside sensors in the railway industry for condition-based maintenance is helping to reduce maintenance costs. Since the 1990 s, research into railway track condition monitoring has intensified, with recent advances in inertial sensors. This review examines and classifies the use of on-board sensors, focusing on data acquisition using vehicle-mounted accelerometers. Despite advances in other methods, such as automated visual inspection or eddy current-based systems, critical elements like rail fasteners still require manual inspection. Environmental conditions and the complexity of real-time analysis make it difficult to detect problems early using other methods. The study underlines the need for research into vibration analysis, optimal placement of accelerometers and signal processing techniques to effectively detect track problems, such as loosening of fastenings, at an early stage.