08 November 2018

The system detects overloaded freight wagons as well as wheel irregularities that can destroy railway track geometry.

SLOVENIA - Slovenian Railways says its new IoT-based Incident-Response Management (IRM) system has already detected several potential hazards just weeks after being installed.

Implemented by local ICT specialist Iskratel, the IRM system is based on a modular concept and has a customised graphical interface for train dispatchers’ operational processes.

The company claims it provides “clear” error notifications and “easy” management of unexpected events, offering operators pre-defined scenarios and measures for effective actions.

Iskratel says its IoT-based solution operates in real-time, measuring heat from axles and brakes to avoid excessive temperatures that can lead to damage of rolling stock and even derailment.

The firm installed the system for Slovenian Railways in August, and in early September the Slovenian Ministry of Infrastructure reported that it had already detected four alarms, all due to overheated train wheels caused by locked brakes.

The IRM also features a track weighting system that detects overloaded freight wagons that can cause fractures of rolling stock, while a flat wheel detector system senses wagon irregularities that can destroy railway track geometry.

In the event of an emergency, Iskratel says its solution immediately alerts the operator with key visual and acoustic information, showing the exact alarm location, alarm type, train number, direction, speed, total composition length and number of axles. 

The company adds that before taking any action, the system automatically provides clear guidance to successfully monitor and resolve the situation.

Damaged vehicles can also be detected by the system, ensuring quick removal of the vehicle and the risk of fire it poses.