Queensland Rail and Zetica have begun analysing data from a ground penetrating radar (GPR) to map the condition of hidden parts of the Australian state's 4,600 km railway network. The measurement campaign, in which the GPR device was mounted on a Queensland Rail vehicle, took place from February to April 2023. Artificial intelligence is used to analyse the data in order to identify sleepers and rail fastenings. According to Queensland Rail, the solution is helping to build a more accurate picture of the network, which is invaluable to safety and performance teams. With the technology, potential track problems can be identified years in advance. Without the technology, spot checks of assets and therefore access to large sections of track would be required, leading to closures and service disruptions. Now the companies are receiving data that makes it possible to realise ballast and formation assessment without extensive track closures.
