Enhancing Predictive Maintenance in Rail Networks with InSAR

Rail networks are important for transportation. However, their large size makes it hard to monitor their overall health. Ground displacement, subsidence, and other geohazards can damage tracks. This increases the risk of derailments, service disruptions, and expensive repairs.

Monitoring hundreds or thousands of kilometres of rail track is often expensive and time-consuming.

The Scale of the Problem

• Experts expect global rail traffic to grow by 2.3% each year. It will reach £28.6 trillion tonne-kilometres by 2030, according to the International Union of Railways.

• In the UK, experts say that landslides and ground movements cause about £200 million in damage to railways every year (Network Rail).

• From 2015 to 2020, the United States had over 500 reports of rail disruptions. Ground movement and subsidence caused these disruptions (Federal Railroad Administration 2020).

The Solution: Remote Sensing and InSAR Technology

Remote sensing technology, particularly Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) can be harnessed to provide predicted maintenance insights for rail networks. InSAR helps us find small ground movements near rail tracks with great accuracy. This lets us spot potential problems before they become visible. By monitoring subsidence and displacement, stakeholders are able to address problems proactively, preventing service disruptions and enhancing safety.

The cost of InSAR monitoring is significantly lower than traditional ground survey methods. Monitoring track health with InSAR can cost as low as £500 per kilometre each year. In contrast, traditional methods can cost $5000 per kilometre annually.

Business Benefits for Rail Stakeholders

• Cost Savings: Finding problems early and acting quickly can lower repair costs and reduce downtime. This leads to significant savings.

• Improved Safety: Keeping the tracks in good condition can make rail operations safer. This helps lower the risk of accidents and related costs.

• Operational Efficiency: Predictive maintenance ensures smoother operations and fewer disruptions, improving service reliability and customer satisfaction.

• Sustainability: Proactive maintenance extends the lifespan of rail infrastructure, contributing to more sustainable transport networks.

Do you want to learn how satellite remote sensing can save you money? It can also improve the safety and reliability of your rail operations. Contact Geofem to start a conversation.