Pantograph monitoring on Brussels rail routes

Challenge

Ricardo’s pantograph monitoring system, PanMon, captures real-time condition data of pantographs affixed to in-service vehicles on electrified routes. The system is used by infrastructure managers to identify damaged pantographs that can inflict additional wear on the overhead wire network, leading to costly repairs.

The Belgian infrastructure manager, Infrabel, requested the system in 2018 to keep watch over routes in the Brussels area.

Approach

After a pilot scheme had demonstrated the technology’s accuracy, Infrabel required six monitoring units to be installed.

Each unit collects data using a laser and camera-based triangulation, providing photographic and 3D scans. PanMon 's affiliated software rapidly analyses the condition of each passing pantograph and provides real-time reports to engineering teams via a customised dashboard.

Should any damage detected exceed pre-defined damage thresholds, the system automatically raises an alert to give maintenance planners the option to immediately intervene.

Results

PanMon has allowed Infrabel to highlight specific incidents with vehicle operators and take proactive steps to reduce accumulated wear and tear on the busiest sections of its network.

In summer 2020, Infrabel reported that the units were accurately scanning all pantograph types and confirmed "It is very likely that by taking certain pantographs out of service, worse damage to our overhead apparatus has been avoided."