Advanced Rail Condition Detector

Athena Industrial Services developed the Athena Rail Condition Detection (ARCD) system as a robust, autonomous detection system to detect Train Presence and Broken Rail in monitored areas with emphasis on Dark Territory.

Rail break and Train Presence conditions are monitored at user determined intervals with sample times ranging from 10 seconds to 12 hours.

Technical Information

  • Node box (WxHxD):

    12” x 16” x 7”

    Mounted on pole (WxHxD):

    12” x 92” x 14”

  • Node box: 27 lbs

    Mounted on pole: Approx. 50 lbs

  • Power Source: Surface solar, external 12V - 22V

    Battery: 12 AH (AGM or gel cell)

    Power into rail: < 1W @ < 4VRMS for 0.3 s

    Min/Max power: 0.1 W - 1.2 W

  • Package: IP65

    Operating: -55 C to +50 C ambient

    Storage: -55 C to +70 C ambient

  • Rail: 40 KA field replaceable module

    Antenna: 20 KA field replaceable module

  • Rail: 8Ga AREMA rated

    Connectors: Quick disconnects

  • Node-to-Node: LoRa 915MHz certified for North America

    Cell: LTE certified for North America

    Auxiliary: RS-422 serial port

  • Train presences start

    Train presence end

    Rail break start

    Rail break end

  • Total length min/max: 0.75 mi - 1.25 mi.

    Node position: At mid-point +/- 15% of monitored rail length.

    Scan period interval min/max: 10 seconds – 12 Hr.

    Distance to switch or frog: 0.25mi min.

    Distance to protected crossing shunt: 0.25mi min.

 

The technology developed for the ARCD system continuously compensates for environmental effects while monitoring the rail.

Remote monitoring and signal analysis allows for full control of the local event thresholds and processing coefficients on a node-by-node basis.

Athena supplied communications also allow for remote recalibration of the ARCD node in the event of major track repairs or modifications in the monitored area.

There are two types of ARCD nodes, normal and master. A master node has additional communications capability and may or may not be connected to the rail.

A master node will be located at sites where communications links are already present, such as controlled crossings or areas where cell network-based LTE service is available.

 

When a reportable event occurs a notification is transmitted through a mesh network radio link system until a location that has external access to a central monitoring and reporting centre has been reached.

ARCD nodes are placed at approximately 1-mile intervals, usually on a subdivision basis. An ARCD node installation requires that a mounting point, such as a screw pile, be located at the approximate midpoint of the monitored section and within 50 feet of the rail and an electrical connection be provided for each rail.

The solar powered ARCD unit monitors rail in ¾ mile to 1-¼ mile segments without requiring supporting infrastructure such as electrical power and signal transmission cables.

This allows the equipment to be readily installed in areas that are often referred to as ‘Dark Territory’.

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