Rail vehicle suspension condition monitoring – approach and implementation

Abstract

Rail vehicle suspension is responsible for providing proper running behavior and safety. In order to keep appropriate safety level, low wear of wheels and rails, and also regular transport services, it should be monitored. The paper deals with the problem of suspension fault detection by introducing methods implemented in rail and track monitoring system developed within the framework of the project: ‘MONIT – Monitoring of Technical State of Construction and Evaluation of its Lifespan’. The approach to suspension fault detection presented in the paper consists of three levels, especially the method based on the multidimensional analysis of acceleration signals statistical parameters.