Spectral characterization of the rail surface in urban environments using in-service vehicles

Kurzfassung

Rail monitoring using in-service vehicles enables the fast detection of surface defects, which are often responsible for high noise emission. In this paper a processing sequence is presented that converts axle box accelerations into rail condition indicators based on spectral characteristics of the rail surface. The methodology is exemplified with data acquired with a shunter locomotive operating at an inland harbour in the city of Braunschweig, Germany.