Smart-X: A remote-condition monitoring technology for voids, nose impact and switch movement at S&C's

道岔和道口（S&C's）是铁路基础设施中维护成本最高、安全性最关键的资产。智能组件技术（SCT）及其合作伙伴伯明翰大学、CHG电气有限公司和网络铁路公司将通过该项目开发一种技术，可以检测轨道空隙并测量S&C's处的头部冲击以及道岔机构/驱动器的状况。该设备它位于已经开发的更广泛的产品套件中，还将能够报告S&C的整体健康状况，特别是当这些数据与从其他资产监控技术获得的其他数据输入相结合时。目标是创建一个解决方案，帮助铁路基础设施所有者，如Network Rail，在S&C的问题成为网络上的严重故障之前，以具有成本效益的方式检测和补救问题。该项目直接解决了Network Rail确定的“可靠和弹性交换机”的挑战。该项目的成果将改善自动化检测方法，帮助预测性维护，同时进一步了解开关磨损和损坏的前兆。实现上述目标将有助于保持客运和货运列车平稳运行，并防止脱轨等灾难性事件。

Switches & Crossings' (S&C's) are the costliest and most safety critical asset within the rail infrastructure to maintain.Smart Component Technologies (SCT), and their collaborators University of Birmingham, CHG Electrical Ltd and Network Rail, will develop through this project a technology that can detect track voids and measure nose impact at S&C's, as well as condition of the switch mechanism/drive.This device, which sits within a wider suite of products that have already been developed, will additionally be able to report on the overall health of the S&C, especially when this data is combined with other data inputs gained from additional asset monitoring technologies.The objective is to create a solution that helps rail infrastructure owners, such as Network Rail, to detect and remedy problems at S&C's in a cost-effective manner before they become a critical failure on the network.The project directly addresses challenges identified by Network Rail for 'Reliable and Resilient Switches'. The project outputs will improve automated inspection methods, helping predictive maintenance, whilst furthering understanding of precursors to switch wear and damage.Achieving the above will help keep passenger and freight trains running smoothly, as well as prevent catastrophic events, such as derailments.