Sensors for Environmental Perception

Thanks to Smart Sensor Technology, Trains have an Eye on their Surroundings at all Times

To digitize the railroad system, technology is required that can detect the train’s surroundings. For this purpose, high-performance sensor technology (camera, Lidar & radar) is used in and on the train. Technical realization is achieved by sensors mounted on the front of the train. Such a multi-sensor setup consists of several cameras to cover the visible wavelength range, which alongside image data can also determine depth values of the environment at close range (stereo cameras), together with cameras that cover medium and long visibilities (approx. 300-550 m). These are supplemented by Lidar sensors that “scan” the field of view using laser technology. Moreover, an infrared camera also detects objects using the long-wave infrared spectrum, thereby facilitating environmental perception irrespective of the lighting conditions. The environmental perception sensor set is completed by adding radar sensors. All raw sensor data is processed and consolidated by a high-performance server system. In the future digital railroad system, data on irregular incidents will be transmitted in real time to the operations centers, where it will be analyzed and measures initiated to re-stabilize the traffic flow.