Humatics is pioneering microlocation technology, offering centimeter- and millimeter-scale positioning that is faster, more precise, and affordable than any existing 3D positioning or location tracking technology on the market. Our microlocation solutions span automotive assembly, manufacturing and robotic collaboration applications. Our mobility solutions offer operational efficiencies in track condition monitoring and predictive maintenance for railway and transit applications and safety critical digital train positioning systems for enhanced train control, automation and precise positioning applications.

Humatics was founded in 2015 by chief executive officer David Mindell (a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor and chair of MIT’s Work of the Future Task Force) and president and chief operating officer Gary Cohen, a technology industry veteran. Headquartered in Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Humatics has grown to include a world-class team of radar experts, programmers, roboticists, software engineers, and product development leaders. More information is available at www.humatics.com.

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Humatics

🎵 Track Twist and Shout err Warp 🎶 

🚆Track Twist and Warp 🚄
Humatics Focus monitors for Track Twist and Warp on every revenue service trip. 

Track Twist and Track Warp occur when cross level (the difference in elevation or height between the top surface of the two rails) of any two points within a specific distance along track grows too large. For example, in North America, “Warp” is measured along a 62 foot distance and “Twist” is measured along a 31-ft chord length. The rail literally “twists” resulting in uneven surfaces and a bumpy ride. 

💡 How does this happen?

Twist and Warp can arise from routine wear and tear over time especially due to uneven loading, inadequate maintenance or improper installation, and environmental factors. Fluctuations in temperature, ground shifts, insufficient rail fastenings, ballast washouts, erosion and subgrade settlement can contribute to the emergence of track twist and track warp.

🔧 Current Detection Methods:

Typically, rail operators turn to traditional methods of visual inspection, track geometry vehicles, and on site personnel with handheld measuring devices to determine if and when twist and warp are occurring.

⚠️ Why are twist and warp a problem?

Twist and Warp defects pose a serious threat to rail safety and operations. These defects can lead to train derailments, operational delays due to implementing speed restrictions/slow zones over the impacted area, potential discomfort, injury or damage to passengers and freight, and increased maintenance costs due to excessive wear on the rolling stock and track infrastructure.

🌐 Humatics Focus Detection

Focus monitors for twist and warp defects each and every revenue service trip. When detected, Focus alerts the maintainers and provides the defect’s precise location, enabling the operators to fix the track before it becomes a critical issue.

Image Source: Novel performance-based technique for predicting maintenance strategy of bitumen stabilised ballast; Track quality parameters (Pires 2016). 

💓 We think you're "super" 💝   - that's why we're monitoring superelevation!

🚆Superelevation Challenges🚄
Superelevation (also commonly referred to as “cant”) is one of the key track geometry parameters that Focus monitors on every revenue service trip. 

Superelevation is the amount by which the outer rail is raised above the inner rail on a curve, and is necessary to enable trains to go around corners safely and at optimal speeds. Superelevation is a carefully controlled track geometry characteristic that is precisely calculated based on expected train speed, turn radius, train geometry, and typically ranges from 0 to 8 inches depending on rail class to counterbalance the effects of centrifugal forces on trains as they go around corners. Superelevation is a critical parameter for trains to operate within an allowable amount of cant excess, equilibrium, and cant deficiency ensuring proper operation around corners and curves.

💡 How do they occur?

Superelevation defects can arise from routine wear and tear over time, subgrade (the ground beneath the track) settlement, ballast (the crushed rock beneath and around the track bed) degradation and environmental factors such as thermal expansion or erosion/destabilization through water intrusion or vegetation. 

🔧 Current Detection Methods:

Rail operators employ traditional maintenance procedures such as visual inspection and  track geometry vehicles or measuring devices with precise sensors for detection and monitoring of superelevation.

⚠️ Why are they problematic?

Superelevation defects pose a serious threat to rail safety, increase the chances of derailment and cause passenger discomfort. They lead to unsafe train movement around curves and corners, including leading to trains tilting too much toward the inside of curves (overbalanced or cant excess) and tilting too much toward the outside of curves (underbalanced or cant deficiency). Superelevation issues also incur an increase in operating and maintenance costs as they often require speed restrictions slowing down the line and can accelerate wear on train components (wheels, suspension, etc.) and track infrastructure (fasteners, ties, etc.).

🌐 Humatics Focus Detection

Humatics Focus detects superelevation issues in real-time allowing operators to monitor superelevation every trip under true loading conditions. Trend analysis continuously monitors curves and banks to ensure they meet operating specifications and alert maintainers if they start to deviate.

Image Source: FRA Mixed Freight and Higher-Speed Passenger Trains: Framework for Superelevation Design

Humatics Focus: Focusing on rail "dips" and the "humps" 

🚆Vertical Profile/alignment Rail Defects🚄
Vertical Profile/alignment is one of the key track geometry parameters that Focus monitors on every revenue service trip. 

Vertical profile issues/defects refer to unintended vertical misalignments in the positioning of railway tracks. Essentially, they are a deviation from the precise up-and-down alignment that tracks are designed to maintain. A deviation to a higher elevation is known as a “hump” while a lower elevation deviation is called a “dip”.

💡 How do they occur?

These defects can arise from routine wear and tear over time, inadequate maintenance, and environmental factors. “Dips” occur more frequently due to the high impact loading and stresses imposed on the track infrastructure by routine operations. “Humps” occur less frequently. Some common reasons for “Humps” are be due to “frost heaving” in cold temperatures or track jacking issues.

🔧 Current Detection Methods:

Similar methods to lateral alignment detections methods are used to detect vertical profile issues such as track geometry cars equipped with sensors and regular visual inspections. Land surveying techniques such as the use of total measurement stations may be used especially to verify proper track infrastructure construction.

⚠️ Why are they problematic?

Vertical Alignment Rail Defects are a common cause of speed restrictions associated with the line impeding operations and overall capacity. Misaligned tracks accelerate wear on train wheels and axles increasing vehicle maintenance costs. Continued operations over compromised track will further stress the underlying track infrastructure foundation causing further degradation over time. Timely detection and correction are imperative to prevent accidents, improve ride quality and uphold the reliability of our rail networks.

🌐 Humatics Focus Detection

Focus detects vertical alignment issues and alerts the maintainers of the precise location of where each issue is occurring, allowing the customer to evaluate and repair the track infrastructure before it causes a greater issue.

Image Source: Track and Rail and Infrastructure Integrity Compliance Manual, Office of Railroad Safety, US Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration

Here's a quick spotlight on lateral alignment - one of many issues that Humatics Focus system monitors in real-time using revenue service vehicles.

🚆Lateral Alignment Rail Defects🚄
Lateral Alignment is an important track geometry parameter that Focus monitors on every revenue service trip. 

Lateral Alignment defects refer to unintended horizontal misalignments in the positioning of railway tracks. Essentially, they are a deviation from “straightness” of the rail.

💡 How do they occur?

These defects can arise from routine wear and tear, inadequate maintenance, fastening issues, and certain environmental factors like fluctuations in temperature or ground shifts.

🔧 Current Detection Methods:

Currently rail operators employ advanced, yet service impending, technologies for detection such as laser-based alignment systems and track geometry cars equipped with sensors. Regular track walks/visual inspections play crucial roles in identifying and assessing these issues.

⚠️ Why are they problematic?

Lateral Alignment Defects pose a serious threat to rail safety and operations. Misaligned tracks accelerate wear on train wheels, can be precursors to more severe defects like buckling, impact passenger comfort and increase the risk of train derailments.

🌐 Humatics Focus Detection

Focus detects lateral alignment issues in revenue service, monitors the deviation severity and alerts maintainers/inspectors to the precise location of where it is occurring, allowing our customers to evaluate, prepare, and repair the rail before it causes a larger issue.

Image Source: Track and Rail and Infrastructure Integrity Compliance Manual, Office of Railroad Safety, US Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration

What timing! The announcement of our track condition monitoring pilot with NJ TRANSIT coincided with the arrival of Ricardo, the lovable and rambunctious NJT bull.  🐂 How Adora-Bull 🐂 

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we highlight the track geometry features that the Humatics Focus system monitors in revenue service. 

Thanks to Yunbo Hou for the picture.

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