MRT operators tap technology to find defects at least twice as quickly

Key Concepts

• Laser Track Trolley: A new, automated device for detecting defects and measuring rail profiles, replacing manual inspection.
• Realwear Profile: A measurement of the wear and tear on the surface of a rail.
• Traction Power Rail: The rail responsible for supplying electrical power to the train.
• Running Rail: The primary rail on which train wheels travel.
• Out-of-Tolerance Specifications: Measurements or conditions that fall outside predefined acceptable limits, indicating a potential defect or issue.
• Depot Tracks: Sections of railway lines located within a maintenance depot, often featuring complex layouts.
• Turnouts: Track switches or points that allow trains to move from one track to another.
• Rail Rover: An advanced, automated inspection vehicle used for comprehensive monitoring of railway lines.
• Downtown Line (DTL) & Northeast Line (NEL): Specific Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines in Singapore.
• Human Error Reduction: Minimizing mistakes made by human operators through automation and data validation.
• Timely Interventions: The ability to identify and address maintenance issues promptly, preventing escalation.

Enhancing Rail Maintenance with Advanced Technology

New technologies are significantly transforming rail transport operations in Singapore, enabling defect detection at least twice as quickly and 100 times more accurately than previous methods. This advancement substantially reduces human error in maintenance checks and facilitates timely interventions based on collected data.

Automated Rail Crack Detection: The Laser Track Trolley

The process of checking for cracks in rails, traditionally a manual task requiring staff to pause and take readings every few meters using a gauge, has been revolutionized by the laser track trolley. This device, utilized by engineers like Reiko Qua, streamlines the inspection process.

• Components and Functionality: The trolley features black laser heads that precisely measure the realwear profile of the rail, capturing its entire surface condition. Additionally, extended arms point towards the traction power rail to measure its height relative to the running rail.
• Data-Driven Process: After an inspection run, the collected data is converted into a digital file. This data is then reviewed to identify issues or out-of-tolerance specifications, which are subsequently highlighted to trigger the maintenance team for timely rectifications.
• Improved Precision and Efficiency: The laser track trolley has narrowed defect location accuracy to within half a meter, a significant improvement from the previous 50-meter range, making it much easier for staff to quickly find cracks. Furthermore, the length of rail that can be checked nightly has more than doubled.
• Deployment Advantages: The trolley's lightweight and compact design make it easily deployable to any site, requiring only two or three personnel for setup. Its maneuverability allows it to navigate different curves, especially in complex depot tracks with numerous turnouts.

Comprehensive Line Inspection: The Rail Rover

While the city sleeps, critical track work begins with SBS Transit's rail rover, which commences its operations from 1:30 a.m. The latest version of this automated inspection vehicle has been deployed on the Downtown Line (DTL) since March.

• Unprecedented Efficiency: The rail rover covers approximately 4.5 kilometers of rail per night, enabling the inspection of the entire Downtown Line in just 20 days. This represents a monumental leap in efficiency, as the same task would have previously taken two years to complete manually.
• Reduced Human Error and Immediate Notification: SBS Transit highlights that the rover has significantly contributed to reducing human error. It is capable of immediately notifying staff of any detected issues, ensuring rapid response.
• Staff Confidence and Data Validation: The technology is highly valued by staff, as articulated by a representative: "The staff appreciate that technology actually helps them to analyze better. It actually obscure themselves. The data helps them to have confident that what they have checked at the track site is validated with the data." This underscores how data provides crucial validation and builds confidence in their trackside checks.
• Future Expansion: Plans are in motion to roll out the rail rover to the Northeast Line (NEL) by 2027, extending these benefits to another major rail corridor.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The adoption of advanced technologies like the laser track trolley and the rail rover marks a transformative shift in rail maintenance practices in Singapore. These innovations have moved rail defect detection and inspection from labor-intensive, less precise manual methods to highly accurate, efficient, and data-driven processes. By significantly reducing human error, enhancing detection speed and accuracy, and enabling timely interventions, these technologies ensure safer, more reliable, and more cost-effective rail operations, ultimately benefiting commuters and the overall transport infrastructure.