Machine Vision helps provide safe, reliable train travel

At the heart of Altavec's AIMS system are machine vision cameras and lenses that provide accurate and reliable imagery of track and surrounding nearby assets such as signage. A proponent of the AIMS system, Sydney Trains operates and maintains the commuter rail network that services the metropolitan area of Sydney, NSW, Australia. The network is a commuter rail system with a central underground connective-core that covers 369 km of route length, over 813 km of track and 170 stations on eight lines. The data is captured by Sydney Trains staff using AIMS and ultimately processed to find defects in the track infrastructure and to allow timely repairs to be undertaken to ensure the safety and reliability of Sydney's rail infrastructure.

The Asset Inspection and Mapping System (AIMS) for Mechanised Track Patrol (MTP) incorporates two key components:
- An on-train data acquisition system (AIMS Field).
- An office-based data processing and analysis system (AIMS Office).

The on train data acquisition system (AIMS Field) consists of a linear mapping system and captures images and data using precise positioning techniques. Cameras , lenses and lights that provide very high quality, motion-blur-free imagery that is georeferenced by synchronizing data from GPS, laser profilers and other spatial sensors. Machine Vision Cameras are installed in several locations on a purpose-built track inspection car owned and operated by Sydney Trains. The Machine Vision cameras and lenses recommended and supplied by Adept Turnkey have proved to be very successful over many years of operation. They've provided high resolution, high quality images, in a robust environment with high vibration and high shock. Specific features of these cameras make them particularly suited to this application. High sensitivity, short exposure times, the ability to be synchronized, high bandwidth networkable output with long cable lengths, compact and robust to withstand high temperatures... are just a few of those features that have enabled these cameras and lenses to excel in the AIMS Field system.

To minimise any disruptions to standard train timetables data is captured at line speed and stored locally on dedicated high-performance servers with removable data drives. Removable data drives facilitate the timely transfer of data between the AIMS Field and AIMS Office systems in line with business requirements.

The AIMS Office system is an office-based system that provides users with a straightforward and efficient method of processing, reviewing and archiving data captured during field-based acquisition tasks along Sydney Trains rail network. All imagery is georeferenced against Sydney Trains' track database to determine a real-world track location or "kilometrage" reference for AIMS data.

The AIMS System has been in operation successfully for many years which is testament to the sophistication of Altavec's design and to the appropriate recommendation of Machine Vision technology by Adept Turnkey.

Adept Turnkey is a specialist in the supply of Machine Vision Technology so please contact us for products that will work optimally and reliably for your application.