Track defects are identified as the foremost cause of railway accidents in the United States, as reported by the Office of Safety Analysis within the United States Federal Railroad Administration. Track inspectors and maintenance crews are often not equipped with the best tools to manage inspections and defect repair. Despite this circumstance, Track Inspectors play a significant role in the industry: by ensuring greater efficiency of railroad operations; and primarily responsible for safety and maintenance of the rail tracks, specifically in North America.
Here are several essential tasks performed by Railroad Track Inspectors:
- Track Examination: Track inspectors regularly examine railroad tracks to detect indications of wear, damage, or defects. This encompasses a thorough assessment of the rails, ties, ballast, and other elements comprising the track structure.
- Monitoring Compliance: Inspectors verify that the tracks adhere to the standards and guidelines established by relevant authorities, such as the United States Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Additionally, they adhere to company-specific maintenance and safety protocols.
- Ultrasonic & Geometry Testing: Railroads frequently employ advanced technologies for ultrasonic testing to identify internal flaws or defects within the rails. This method assists in pinpointing potential issues that may remain unnoticed during a visual inspection. Geometry inspections evaluate the alignment, curvature, and elevation of the tracks to guarantee proper geometry. Ensuring correct track geometry is vital for the safety and efficiency of rail operations. The challenges railroads face is how to present the findings of ultrasonic & geometry to the inspectors to verify the issues detected in an efficient way, this is where TIMPS comes in.
- Tie and Ballast Inspection: Maintaining a stable and secure track structure relies heavily on the condition of ties and ballast. Inspectors check ties for signs of wear or damage and verify that the ballast offers sufficient support and drainage.
- Bridge and Culvert Inspections: Apart from examining the track, inspectors may evaluate the state of bridges, culverts, and other structures along the railroad line. This involves inspecting for indications of deterioration or damage.
- Incident Investigation: Should an accident or derailment occur, track inspectors may participate in determining the cause. This involves examining the track conditions, analyzing data, and contributing to reports that help in identifying the underlying cause of the incident.
- Documentation: Inspectors maintain detailed records of their inspections, noting any issues found, repairs made, and the overall condition of the track. Using robust tools for recording track conditions like TekTracking’s TIMPS, provides efficiency for compliance, maintenance planning, and historical reference in the rail operation.
- Communication: Track inspectors collaborate closely with fellow railroad personnel, including maintenance crews and track managers, to convey information and coordinate essential repairs. Ensuring effective communication is essential for promptly addressing safety concerns. TekTracking’s TIMPS system allows for a full lifecycle of the issues to be tracked from discovery by the track inspectors to remediation by the maintenance crews.
- Training and Ongoing Enhancement: Inspectors frequently participate in regular training sessions to remain informed about new technologies, safety regulations, and best practices. Continuous improvement is crucial in the ever-evolving field of railroad track maintenance. TekTracking is continuously updating the TIMPS platform for compliance with FRA standards and adding new and beneficial features based on customer recommendations.
In summary, Railroad Track Inspectors play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of North American railroads. Their efforts contribute to the seamless operation of the rail transportation system. Equipping inspectors and maintenance crews with tools like TIMPS ensures the efficiency of their work and can provide railroads with a real time accurate picture of the health of their infrastructure.
