OHL Inspection and Monitoring using Laser Scanning

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Maintenance Centre OHL contact wires required inspection and survey to 1) identify non-conforming contact wires and 2) complete routine measurement of  tension levels to ensure conformance with engineering standards.

Conventional methods required manual inspection using elevated work platforms (EWPs),  power outage and personnel on track, resulting in the need for works to be completed during track possessions. With an increasing demand and utilisation on the rail network, the availability of possession periods had decreased.

Diodrone was engaged by Sydney Trains to develop a digital inspection and survey solution that would decrease the need for possession periods while delivering the same accuracy as conventional methods.

PROJECT SCOPE

Laser Scanning

Drone-LiDAR

Drone-based Inspection

CAD Analysis and Digital Reporting

DIODRONE SOLUTION

Diodrone developed a combined ground and drone-based reality capture and digital engineering solution.

Drone-based digital imagery was captured for remote identification of non-conforming contact wire types, eliminating the need for working at heights and plant.

Laser Scanning and Drone-LiDAR was used to accurately capture both internal and external OHL measurements to develop a high resolution point cloud. Offsite digital processing was completed to produce Sydney Trains OHL  Clearance Measurement reports.

No possessions required, no power out required and no working at heights—reducing the disruption to network operations.

Time on site was reduced by 300% and working at heights was entirely eliminated from the methodology. Works were completed with less people on track, and without the need for power out. This reduced the need for access during possession periods and reduced disruption to network operations.

The quality of the measurements was improved by having a traceable record which could be revisited and verified as needed.