Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of railcar safety appliance inspection using machine vision technology

Before a train departs a yard, many aspects of the freight cars and locomotives undergo inspection, including their safety appliances. Safety appliances are handholds, ladders and other objects that serve as the interface between humans and railcars during transportation. Federal safety rules govern the design and condition of safety appliances. The current car inspection process is primarily visual making it laborious, redundant, and generally lacking of memory. There exists a potential to increase both the effectiveness and efficiency of safety appliance inspections by utilizing machine vision technology to enhance the railcar inspection process. Machine vision consists of capturing digital video and using algorithms capable of detecting and analyzing the particular objects or patterns of interest. Computer algorithms can objectively inspect railcars without tiring or becoming distracted and can also focus on certain parts of the railcar not easily seen by an inspector on the ground. Thus far, algorithms have been developed that can detect deformed ladders, handholds, and brake wheels on open-top gondolas and hoppers. Next, visual learning will be employed to teach the algorithm the differences between Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) safety appliance defects and other types of deformation not requiring a car to be bad ordered. The final product will be a wayside inspection system capable of detecting safety appliance defects on passing railcars.